NONGSTOIN: Tension prevailed at Shallang, West Khasi Hills, on Tuesday, after the angry mob turned violent with irate residents ransacking, teardown and also destroyed a pharmacy at Shallang.
The disturbance started on Tuesday morning, when Nashib Ali, owner of a pharmacy at Shallang along with three others went to several schools to promulgate a new vaccine and also to administer the students. However, the school managements refused to welcome the vaccine as there was no such order from the government or Health department.
It is also alleged that Ali had brought three men from Dudnai, Assam. When the locals found about the incident, they had gone to the pharmacy to intervene Ali, but he instead of sharing the details had ran away to the Police station. This irked the people of Shallang and they destroyed the pharmacy.
The police on receiving the information about the hue and cry had immediately rushed to the spot to calm the situation, but the people refused to listen instead demanded the police to handover the pharmacist. When the Police denied, the angry mob pelted stone at the police vehicle.
The Police were forced to shoot two shots in the air to disperse the crowd.
According to sources, Timuth D Marak, a surrendered militant from Garo Hills, was also beaten black and blue by the angry mob.
It was learned that Marak had come from Nongstoin and when he reached Shallang, people saw him and the mob vented their angst on him.
It is found that Marak used to extort money from the people of Shallang. A local cab, which Marak had rented, was also destroyed by the crowd. But after the reinforcement of the Police the crowds dispersed. Marak was admitted in Shallang PHC and later he was sifted to Rongjeng for better treatment.It was only one month since the people of Shallang turn violent, when three drunk SF-10 commando sexually harassed a women in the village.