By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Unidentified miscreants on Monday morning torched Congress Bhawan at Mawkyrwat leading to a partial damage of the building.
South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner A Mawlong informed that police have started investigation into the incident ascertaining whether political rivalry could be a possible motive behind the incident or the office was burnt down by pro-ILP activists.
The Deputy Commissioner also stated that security in the entire district has been strengthened.
People residing near the office saw the fumes coming out at around 5:30 am and alerted police immediately. Not surprisingly, the fire brigade arrived at the scene very late. Altogether, a sofa set, 25 plastic chairs, one bamboo mat, one computer monitor, curtains and the wooden ceiling were damaged in the fire.
Preliminary investigation suggested that the arsonists used kerosene to torch the office.
Congress leader and Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh had rented out the building to function as Congress Bhavan.
He also expressed concern over the trend of attack on properties by the miscreants. Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee has condemned the incident.
Cases of arson have come down, claim police : Meanwhile, in the wake of recent cases of arson and stone-pelting incidents in the East Khasi Hills district, the State police Department is on its toes to ensure that there is no further deterioration of the law and order situation. East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang on Monday said, “We have been able to contain such incidents to a large extent but vested interests drive people to commit crimes even when there is no agitation”. The East Khasi Hills police have registered more than 21 cases and arrested 22 people in the last ten days. 14 cases of arson and five cases of stone-pelting have been registered. The SP informed that arrests were made on the basis of concrete evidence. Kharkrang also ruled out the possibility of conducting any flag march in the city. Most of the cases of arson including burning of vehicles have been reported from Nongmynsong and Pynthorumkhrah area and accordingly police have arrested several miscreants who after being questioned turned out to be the KSU volunteers. (With inputs from our Nongstoin correspondent)