Tura, July 29: A government vehicle was set ablaze in the state capital while in the western region of Garo Hills, vandals attacked an Assam-registered car in the heart of Tura, highlighting the law and order sensitivity prevailing in the state, post the tourism fiasco, last week.
Tura police are investigating a case of vandalism of an assam-based vehicle in the heart of the Tura market area following an altercation that took place between the driver and a group of unidentified persons early Monday morning.
The incident comes close on the heels of recent events in the Shillong region, where Assam tourist cabs were turned away by a local pressure group called HNYF, resulting in a severe dent to tourism in the state.
While the Tura incident doesn’t appear to bear any resemblance to what has been happening in the Khasi Hills tourism sites of Dawki and Sohra, police are leaving no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the story.
The driver had rushed to Tura police station after the incident occurred at the poultry and meat area of Kabul Bazar but alleged that he received no help from the law enforcement officer prompting him to drive back to Assam, where he informed local media persons.
West Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma told The Meghalayan Express that preliminary enquiry indicated that an altercation took place over the parking of the vehicle in a spot reserved for taxis.
“The vehicle was hired by a contractor from Tura and the driver had stayed in a house next to Kabul bazaar. In the morning, some persons accosted him over the parking of his vehicle and then targeted his car,” said the SP.
The unidentified men smashed an object into the windshield of the Renault car, damaging the glass.
SP Sangma confirmed that the victim had rushed to the Tura police station to lodge a complaint about the incident, but the officer in the station had directed him to give a written FIR for the record, which prompted the driver to leave the station and head back to Assam.
“The officer should have taken first response action but instead asked for a written FIR. I have reprimanded him,” said SP Abraham Sangma.
He also added that police have already made contact with the driver in Assam and have taken his statement and other details as part of the ongoing investigation.
Tura police expect to make a break into the case soon.
Govt vehicle set ablaze
Meanwhile, in Shillong, a government vehicle (Gypsy) bearing registration number ML 01 5989 belonging to the Public Works Department (PWD) was set ablaze by unknown miscreants on Monday at Nongmynsong, Shillong.
According to the information received, the incident occurred around 3 AM near the post office in Nongmensong Umkdait.
The vehicle was completely damaged and burnt down before authorities could intervene.
A case has been registered and investigation is on to nab the culprits involved in the act.
