SHILLONG: The violence that gripped the city after rumours started spreading that the boy who was beaten at Punjabi Lane had died forced the father of the child to come before the media on Friday and give a statement that his two children and nephew were fine.
Speaking to media persons at NEGRIHMS Hospital where the boys are undergoing treatment, Skylin Roy Marbaniang, the father of the two children (aged 17 and 14), said he was giving clarification since there are rumours that his children are dead.
Narrating the incident, he said there were seven buses in the place and he was having tea when he heard a commotion.
He said the bus was stuck in the traffic snarl at Punjabi Lane. Marbaniang had asked his 18-year-old nephew, who knows how to drive, to sit on the wheel and roll the vehicle as and when the traffic moved.
A lady in the locality was collecting water from a roadside tap and was moving from one side of the road to the other from the front of the vehicle, which moved a little as the traffic was moving and other vehicles were stuck behind. So the nephew asked the woman to cross the road from behind the vehicle.
The woman took offence at that and started pelting stones at the bus.
According to Marbaniang, the lady went back and came back with a few boys and attacked his two sons and nephew.
Following the heated argument, when Marbaniang wanted to go to the police station to file FIR, the woman and the group said they would also file a counter FIR.
Marbaniang said many reports stated that they were from Nongstoin but he clarified that he is originally from Mawsynram and is staying in Mawlai.
On the other hand, Shane Thabah, General Secretary of Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association said they heard about the commotion around 3.30 pm when someone told him that Marbaniang needed help and they went to Sadar police station to file the FIR.
“When we were there, we heard there is law and order problem in Motphran area,” he said. He said miscreants were trying to take advantage of the situation and law should take its course against anyone involved in this incident
Rev Harison Masi who was also present in the hospital lamented that there are so many rumours going on in the city. He said Meghalaya is a Christian-dominated state and all are creation of God.
“There is no such thing as Khasi and Punjabi. We are all brothers and sisters and we all are created by God,” he said while adding that there should not be any misunderstanding between anyone.
