NEW DELHI/SHILLONG: City trader Vikash Nandwal (34), the victim of an arson attack at Motphran, succumbed to his burn injuries at Max Hospital, New Delhi, at around 8:20 am on Saturday after battling for life for over two weeks.
It was on October 9 during the agitations of the pro-ILP groups that miscreants poured petrol on Nandwal, who was seated at the cash counter of his shop, Meghalaya Machineries. Soon after pouring petrol, they set the trader on fire resulting in the victim suffering around 60 per cent burn injuries.
Police swung into action the next day by arresting two KSU members of the Mawprem unit identified as Wankerlang Jyrwa and Badonkupar Nongbri in connection with the crime.
After a case of arson was registered soon after the incident, police now have registered a case of murder.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (City), Vivek Syiem confirmed that a murder case has been registered in Nandwal’s case and added that the police would firmly deal with the matter.
After the incident, the victim was first rushed to Nazareth Hospital, but he was soon shifted to Nemcare Hospital in Guwahati on October 9 evening.
However, for better treatment, Nandwal was flown to Max Hospital, Delhi by air ambulance on October 15.
In Delhi, though the health condition of Nandwal was stable for many days, he suffered from breathing problems and was put on ventilator two days ago. His blood pressure was also low.
According to the relatives Nandwal died of cardiac arrest on Saturday morning as the burn injuries were more than 60 per cent.
The body was later taken to Hissar in Haryana, the native place of Nandwal, for his last rites to be performed on Sunday. The relatives of Nandwal, who were in Shillong have also rushed to Haryana on Saturday.
The State Government had provided financial assistance for the treatment of Nandwal.
As a mark of respect for the departed soul, a candlelight vigil was spontaneously organised by people on Saturday evening at Khyndailad.
A pall of gloom descended on the relatives, friends and the business community over the death of Nandwal, an amiable person among the business community in Shillong.
