Arson during pro-ILP stir
SHILLONG: Police will file charge-sheet shortly in connection with the cases related to the violent incidences that have taken place during ongoing agitation called by the 10 pressure groups demanding implementation of ILP in the state.
Altogether 40 people have been arrested in connection with arson cases and as many as 55 cases have been registered till date.
Informing this here on Wednesday, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police M Kharkrang said 90 per cent of the cases were registered under Section 6 (A) of the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act which prohibits disruption of public order and obstructing a public servant from duty.
All the arrested persons are currently in judicial custody.
Under this act, arrested persons can be punished with imprisonment for three to seven years and also shall be liable to compensate the government, public and private citizens for the loss incurred by them during different agitational programmes.
According to Kharkrang, the total damage to properties had been estimated at around Rs 30 lakh.
“Normalcy has to return to the State with Puja celebrations knocking at the door,” he said adding “We have sought cooperation from traditional bodies and other originations in this connection.”