SHILLONG: Violence and arson continued to occur in various parts of the city and across East Khasi Hills district on the eve of the 12-hour bandh called by pressure groups on Monday from 5 am.
On Sunday evening, unidentified miscreants hurled two petrol bombs at a CRPF camp at Mawlai Iewrynghep (Bridge). No one was injured in the attack and there was no report of any damage to property.
CRPF personnel rounded up four persons on suspicion of being involved in the bomb attack and handed them over to police for questioning.
However, the four (all minors) were released on ‘bail’ on Sunday night itself after they were taken to Lumdiengjri police station.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police M Kharkrang suspected that the attack could have been the handiwork of members of the NGOs who have called for a 12-hour State-wide bandh on Monday.
“This is a rare instance where criminal acts are being perpetrated on a Sunday,” Kharkrang said.
Besides the attack on the CRPF camp, incidents of burning of tyres were reported from several parts of the city.
In a related incident, police apprehended Samkupar Lyngdoh (28), Walstar Nongdhar (28), Anthony Sangma (32) and Balan Kharkongor (28), all from 7th Mile, who were travelling in a Maruti van (ML05 H 8838) at midnight on Sunday. The four were caught carrying three bottles of kerosene allegedly to commit arson.
Some miscreants made an attempt to torch the vehicle of an official of the State Home department at Lumshiyap, Golf Links, on Sunday morning, but in vain. The vehicle was parked at the residence of the driver, who alerted the police about the movement of miscreants.
In another case, a petrol bomb was hurled at a local taxi (MLO5 E 0226) at Langkyrding on Sunday midnight by miscreants resulting in partial damage to the vehicle.
Earlier on Saturday night, miscreants vandalized an SBI ATM machine at Quallapatty in the city.