Forgotten bags & bomb scares!
In Shillong, where life usually moves at a gentle pace, two recent cases of bomb scares have caused unease. The false alarms, while causing no harm, have rattled the nerves of residents in the capital. These incidents highlight the fragility of public confidence in the city known for its welcoming nature.
On April 24, panic swept through the Laban area. An unattended bag spotted outside a shop near Laban Police Station triggered swift action. Police sealed off the spot, deployed a dog squad, and tension followed until bomb experts examined the bag. It contained only clothes and a set of keys—no explosives, no threat. The owner remains unidentified, leaving locals wondering who left the innocuous item there.
Just two days earlier on April 22, another unattended bag near a transformer in Lumshatsngi area caused jitters. Shops closed temporarily, traffic slowed, and conversations meandered from gossip to whispers of suspicion.
These false alerts come at a cost. They strain police and emergency resources already stretched thin in the city. In Laban, repeated alerts disrupt commerce and daily commutes in one of Shillong’s busier pockets. Parents worry about children heading to school; vendors lose precious morning sales and a sense of paranoia permeates through the air.
Although authorities respond with professionalism, yet questions persist. Are these pranks by miscreants testing response times? Or is it negligence by forgetful citizens? Or something more calculated? Enhanced CCTV coverage, public awareness drives on responsible behaviour, and faster forensic tracing of owners could help deter casual carelessness or forgetfulness, whatever the case may be.
as they retrofit their vehicles. (ST)
