TURA, Feb 6: Police personnel on duty at an anti-dacoity camp located in Tapa Darenchi village of North Garo Hills had to fire in the air to stop an angry mob of villagers who tried to force their way in and drag away a detained man for lynching on Saturday night.
The incident occured over rumours spread by some people about movement of dacoits in the area. Tapa Darenchi is 10 kms from district headquarters Resubelpara, on the road towards Songsak in East Garo Hills.
Rumours had been floating in the area about the presence of three dacoits said to be moving in the area during the night and the suspicious villagers armed with daos and other lethal weapons caught hold of a man who was drunk. Suspecting him to be one of the criminals they began attacking him with daos and sticks causing grievous injuries. He was rescued by police personnel from the Operational Group Centre or anti-dacoity outpost located at Tapa Darenchi.
It was then that the villagers attacked the station.
“They wanted police to hand over the man to them. When they couldn’t get that they started attacking the post destroying the fencing and some furniture. Our personnel had to open blank fire to disburse the armed mob,” said North Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma.
After police opened fire the armed villagers fled from the scene and the injured and bleeding victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment. An investigation has been launched to identify the perpetrators of the attack and also those rumour mongers who created the tense situation in the area.
