By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 21: After a violent mob attack at the premises of Star Cement in East Jaintia Hills, triggered by a fatal road accident on Sunday evening, Cabinet Minister and East Jaintia Hills MLA, Kyrmen Shylla has appealed for calm and responsible conduct.
At least 15 trucks were torched, and security infrastructure vandalised in the aftermath of the incident, which has raised concerns about law and order in the region and its impact on industrial confidence.
Addressing the situation, Shylla acknowledged the deep grief that such tragedies bring but strongly discouraged retaliatory violence.
“Any incident or accident is not intentional. Nobody wants to kill and nobody wants to be killed. If such incidents occur, people should lodge a complaint with the police. Taking the law into one’s own hands is inappropriate,” he said.
He emphasised that while emotions may run high, especially when lives are lost, mob justice serves no one.
“Law exists to ensure justice for the affected families. Burning trucks will not bring back a life or profit anyone,” he added.
The unrest unfolded after a Star Cement truck, allegedly driven by a local resident, collided with a pick-up vehicle on NH-06 near Wahiajer village. The truck reportedly fled the scene, prompting the pick-up and other vehicles to pursue it to the Star Cement premises.
There, the pick-up driver — also a local — confronted the truck driver and allegedly climbed onto the vehicle to assault him. In the chaos that followed, the cement truck moved forward, fatally running over the pick-up driver.
The tragic death quickly escalated tensions. According to the district administration, approximately 300 people from neighbouring areas gathered at the cement compound, many wielding machetes and other weapons. The mob set fire to trucks, vandalised the sentry post, destroyed CCTV cameras, assaulted a security guard, and obstructed the removal of the deceased’s body.
Shylla also warned that such actions could deter investment in the district. “These kinds of incidents create a fear psychosis among investors. I may not know the root cause, but I urge people to report such incidents rather than take matters into their own hands. It does not benefit anyone,” he said.
Cautioning truckers and drivers in general, he urged responsible driving. “When you drive a big vehicle, take extra precautions. Do not look down on smaller vehicles. Think of your family. The law will take its course, but we also have a responsibility to drive carefully and save lives,” he stated.
The district administration is currently investigating the incident, and additional security has been deployed in the area. Meanwhile, calls for better driver sensitisation and community engagement are growing, as East Jaintia Hills attempts to balance industrial activity with social stability.