By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a clash between the residents of Williamnagar and security forces at Williamnagar Civil Hospital here on Saturday evening, three vehicles were damaged and hospital window panes were broken when people gheraoed the hospital after they were refused entry by the police.
The clash occurred in the wake of the arrest of three dacoits (all minors below 15 years of age) from Nengkra village, about 15 kms from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills, who were later brought to Williamnagar Civil Hospital for medical check-up.
Suspecting that the same group was involved in various dacoity cases in Williamnagar during the past few months, the residents had mobilized themselves to punish the persons who had been involved in these criminal acts.
The incident took a dramatic turn when the residents of Williamnagar came to know about the arrest of the three juveniles and rushed to the civil hospital to accost the dacoits. However, their move was prevented by the police who were posted there to prevent any untoward incidents.
The angry mob later threw stones at the window panes of the hospital and damaged three vehicles, even as they refused to leave the hospital premises.
“Even I was denied entry into the hospital and I had to monitor everything from the police station,” East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mantri informed.
Mantri stated that the police somehow managed to sneak the three accused to the police station and kept them there for a while before shifting them to the juvenile home in Tura.
“The three persons are minors below 15 years and they had to be kept in a juvenile home which is available only in Tura,” the DC added.
On learning that the dacoits were shifted from the hospital to the police station, the mob rushed to the police station.
“Despite telling them that the accused persons were no longer in the police station, the mob did not believe us,” Mantri said.
“We are trying our best to control the angry mob while ensuring that no untoward incident takes place that might escalate into a major clash,” the DC added.
