A Congress party office at Mawkyrwat town in Meghalaya's South West Khasi Hills district was set on fire today by suspected pro-Inner Line Permit activists.
Local residents informed the police that smoke was billowing out of the office building at around 7:30 AM and subsequently a fire team was dispatched to deal with the situation, South West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police D R Marak told PTI.
Initial inquiry into the matter revealed that some persons had thrown a kerosene-soaked cloth lit with fire from a broken window pane into one of the rooms, the SP said.
In the incident, some plastic chairs, curtains and the window and the ceiling were damaged, police said, adding that documents were however, safe.
"We have registered a case of arson and investigation is on to nab those involved in the criminal act," Marak said.
He, however, said that the involvement of the pro-ILP activists cannot be ruled out but that the police are also looking at the political angle also, if there is any.
Congress has condemned the attack and said that any differences in views and opinions (on ILP) should be expressed at the correct platform, in a right manner and with respect to the views and opinion of others.
The Congress-led government in Meghalaya is all out against the regional parties who have supported the pressure groups in demanding the introduction of the ILP to check influx of 'outsiders'.
