By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: On the evening of October 10, a young man, William Carey Manner and three others who came out of a local bar in Iew Mawlong got into an altercation with some bystanders. This incident is sought to be given a communal colour, East Khasi Hills DC, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh said.
He informed that some criminal elements are trying to foment trouble by asking shops around the area to down their shutters. The East Khasi Hills, DC has appealed to the public to maintain calm and not to give credence to rumours.
Lyngdoh said some miscreants have been spreading rumours that William Manner had succumbed to his injuries at the Shillong Civil Hospital, when actually Manner was released from hospital on Tuesday morning.
The DC stated that this incident has created unnecessary tension and panic among the general public.
On Tuesday, rumours flew thick and fast that a major law and order problem was afoot in the Iew Mawlong area. Shops downed their shutters after it was rumored that a procession would be taken out to condemn the assault on Manner. Speculations about the death of the young Khasi lad had been spreading since Monday night. Phone calls were pouring in to media houses inquiring if the young man had really died.
Following the spread of such rumours, the police have intensified patrolling throughout the area to take stock of the situation.
Additional SP (Crime) Vivek Syiem said there were some trouble mongers who asked the shopkeepers to close down their shops, claiming that the young man who was assaulted had died.
“We are trying to trace the culprits who have created this unnecessary panic among the general public,” Syiem said.
“Actually, Manner along with three others was in an inebriated condition when they were assaulted. This incident took place right in front of Balvinder Bar,” a senior police said.
He also said that the young man was in state of drunkenness when he was admitted in the hospital.
“We have intensified our patrolling in the whole area to ensure that no one takes advantage of this situation,” Syiem said.