Attempt to push away coal dalals backfires on cops
SHILLONG: Tension gripped Umling, Ri Bhoi district, a day after police fired few rounds in the air and managed to escape from the crowd at Umling main road after they were gheraoed by the public in protest against the attempt of the police to take on the middle men who were trying to facilitate coal transportation.
According to police, on January 26 at around 11 PM, while the SP and Deputy SP (HQ) of Ri Bhoi along with three gunmen were on a surprise checking for coal laden trucks plying from 20th Mile, GS Road via Sohkhwai-Umdu-Umling village road in Ri Bhoi, bypassing the Umling Weigh Bridge, they detected a group of suspected middlemen numbering around 15 to 20 along the road at Sohkhwai village and urged them to leave the place.
However, while proceeding towards Umling main road, a strong mob of around 300 to 400 villagers including women and boys, gheraoed, damaged and attempted to burn the police vehicles and tried to attack the police personnel. In an act of self defence, police were compelled to fire in the air to disperse the crowd.