Man assaulted in Jowai for smoking

SHILLONG/ JOWAI: Tension prevailed in Jowai on Monday morning after a taxi driver was assaulted for not abiding by the ‘no smoking’ directive inside a mobile shop, police said.
According to police, Dharmendra Kumar Shah (23) of M/s New Starlight Mobile Shop, which is located near Thomas Jones Synod College in Jowai, had asked driver Talbinus Dhar (24) not to smoke inside the shop. But Dhar challenged him and a scuffle took place in which Dhar sustained injuries.
He was shifted to Jowai Civil Hospital. Shah was arrested.
Dhar lodged a complaint at Jowai police station.
Immediately after the news of the assault spread, a mob started gathering in front of the shop and also in some areas of Iawmusiang.
A group of 50/60 people gathered in front of Jowai police station and shouted slogans against non-tribals. This prompted the district magistrate to promulgate Section 144 CrPC.
West Jaintia Hills SP Vivek Syiem urged the public not to create any communal tension.
Police said Dhar was earlier involved in a robbery case.