NONGPOH/ SHILLONG: In the worst attack after the destruction of railway property, goons torched Meg Mini Tea Factory of the Horticulture Department at Lumnongrim Dewlieh in Umsning on Thursday night causing huge losses.
The attack is a setback to the export of certified organic tea to outside the State and abroad.
The fire engulfed all the materials which were used for producing tea.
The attack comes within five days of the protests by KSU against setting up of railway at Byrnihat.
The incident took place around 11.15 pm when there was no security guard at the location.
The Meg Tea Factory is a major unit producing organic tea in the State.
The incident comes at a time when the product MEG TEA has started making inroads into the German and Belgian markets with the last consignment of 1,000 packets of MEG TEA, before the attack, were bound for Brussels to be introduced into the Belgian market for the upcoming International Day of Yoga.
Police sources said the strangest among the action of the arsonists was to attack the tea factory which was providing jobs to the locals and also brought laurels to the district due to the production of organic tea.
Horticulture Department Officer Marbakynsai Marbaning said the miscreants burned the portion of the tea factory where dry wood was stocked. The estimated loss would be between Rs 20-25 lakh.
“The miscreants took advantage of the night and since there was no security at the spot and this has led to huge losses,” the official said.
Police are yet to make any arrest.
