Arson continues in city despite Sec 144

SHILLONG: Two more cases of arson have been reported in the city.
Miscreants burnt a police traffic booth at Mawiong Rim around 12 am on Saturday.
In another incident, a man on a two-wheeler threw a petrol bomb at Butcher Compound near Santiniketan around 10pm on Friday. The bomb did not explode and no casualty was reported. The cases of arson are taking place despite the imposition of Section 144 between 6pm to 5am.
Also, police are yet to make any arrest in connection with Friday night’s attack in Thana Road. Two petrol bombs were hurled in the residential area around 10pm.
The miscreants threw a petrol bomb targeting the meter box of a resident to cause maximum damage. The bomb, however, fell on the staircase of a residence.
A second petrol bomb was hurled at a small shop through a small gap but fortunately residents were awake. They doused the fire which could have caused huge damage since there were a few LPG cylinders nearby.
Local residents said the area does not have any functional street light making it a vulnerable stretch.
Shillong police is also concerned over the increasing case of arson in the city.
Earlier, such arson attacks were being conducted in only outskirts of the town but in the last couple of days, instances of hurling of petrol bombs are being reported from different parts of Shillong.
Meanwhile, headman of Police Bazar, SL Singhania also expressed concern over the petrol bomb attacks in the city.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, Singhania said the worst affected by the attacks was the business community which has been targeted either at their business premises or residences.
“Although a local dorbar has condemned the incident at Umsohsun, the political parties have remained tight lipped on the incidents,” he lamented while urging the law enforcing authorities to be more vigilant and book the miscreants responsible for the crimes.