Security beefed up in Meghalaya capital

Security have been beefed up in the Meghalaya capital here after sporadic attacks were carried out against government properties, a senior police officer said today.
"Additional forces have been called in to ensure law and order situation is under control in the state capital," East Khasi Hills district SP Davis Marak said.
He said Police are also on the job to identify those behind the recent crude petrol bomb attacks in the city following the May 27 violent protest against the on-going construction of a railway project in Ri Bhoi District.
"We are yet to establish the identities of the perpetrators. However we have got some inputs and we are on the lookout for those who are behind the incidents and in due course we will be arresting them," he said.

The SP said peace meetings were also convened with the various stakeholders apart from strict instructions issued to all petrol pumps not to sell loose petrol.
At least two vehicles, including a government vehicle, were burnt in the city on May 27 night and petrol bomb attacks were reported at Rynjah police station and at the office of the Superintendent Training for Self Employment of Women at Laban.

"Two platoons of additional forces have been deployed in the state capital and we have requested the CRPF to put their quick reaction team (QRT) on stand-by in case of emergency," he said.

Sporadic attacks were also reported in Ri-Bhoi last night and section 144 CrPC have been imposed in the entire district preventing assembly of five or more persons in public places, according to the Ri-Bhoi district deputy commissioner C P Gotmare.
At least two KSU leaders have been arrested in connection with the incident at Byrnihat and three FIRs have been filed in Ri-Bhoi district and they were booked under the Meghalaya Maintenance Public Order (MMPO) after they were arrested on Saturday.
Three other KSU leaders were arrested today including two KSU leaders from their Byrnihat circle.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) today demanded the state government to stop the on-going railway construction in Byrnihat to release all its leaders and members with immediate effect.

"The state government is demanded to ensure the construction of the railway project is put on hold," KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar told reporters at a news conference here.
"We had all along maintained a strong stand that it is only when such laws are in place, we will be ready to talk on whether to welcome the railway project," he said.
"We demand that the arrested leaders and members should be released immediately if the government wants to ensure peace and tranquility is maintained in the state," he said.