SHILLONG: The 2018 election season is not only witnessing violent political rivalry but also divisions in families and among neighbours.
In a unique incident, a woman was injured after she was assaulted by her husband for supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in East Jaintia Hills instead of the United Democratic Party.
The woman, Ribha Sana of Mukhaialong village, lodged a complaint that around 12 am on February 11, her husband Lum Phawa assaulted her allegedly for supporting BJP instead of UDP.
There was a report that from February 11 between 10.30 pm and 11 pm, Heibormi Susngi, Fantin Sungoh and Dimus Sungoh (UDP supporters) all from Nanbah village, assaulted BJP supporters Lakhon Hadia and Basan Biam. The duo sustained injuries and were admitted in hospital.
On the other hand, Hima Sana of Mukhaialong village lodged a complaint that around 10.30 pm on February 11, one Shanbor Sana along with Womphri Sana and others assaulted him and took away his bag containing Rs 45,000 in cash and a cell-phone. The accused persons were suspected to be supporters of UDP.
Police arrested Womphri Sana and one Teimi Dkhar.
In another incident on February 12, unknown miscreants pelted stones at a gathering of supporters of PDF during a meeting at Nongmensong, Lumshyiap, around 7pm. A 27-year-old woman, Sophina Mawrie, was injured.
A hand grenade was recovered from the vehicle of a Congress supporter in Mawprem on Monday.
Even Phulbari in the recent past has witnessed some violence as a Congress supporter of AT Mondal was stabbed besides a similar incident was also reported in Mawsynram when the brother of KHADC Chief Executive Member PN Syiem was stabbed.
Speaking on the matter, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar said the authorities are keeping their eyes and ears open besides keeping a close watch on all the critical pockets.
“Every day those critical areas keep on changing and we are doing day-to-day assessment of the situation,” he said.
On the other hand, West Garo Hills SP Raghavendra Kumar MG said that till date, two cases of poll-related violence have been reported in the district and those are under investigation.
He also said apart from gazette officers, one company of CRPF has been deployed in the area and night patrolling intensified.
Meanwhile, even in Shillong city, patrolling and checking have been intensified in different pockets of the town.
