Shillong: Fresh incidents of arson and petrol bomb attacks on govt and political properties were reported from several parts of Meghalaya in the past 24 hours as tensions remained high following Wednesday’s violence during the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) black-flag bike rally in Shillong.Two petrol bombs were hurled at the National People’s Party office in Lachaumiere around 5am. One exploded, while the other did not detonate. No damage was reported.At around 9.30pm on Thursday, another petrol bomb was thrown at the Nongmensong police outpost. It landed inside the premises and set a chair on fire. No one was injured.In Ri-Bhoi district, unidentified miscreants set fire to two govt vehicles and a motorcycle at Saiden around 2am. In South West Khasi Hills, a petrol bomb was lobbed at the animal husbandry and veterinary officer’s office at Mawlangwir around 1am. It landed on the roof, but the fire extinguished itself without causing damage.In West Khasi Hills, two govt vehicles were gutted at Nongstoin on Thursday night. A petrol bomb was also thrown at the office of the superintending engineer, PWD (Roads), though no damage was reported.The incidents came two days after violence during the KSU rally left at least 31 vehicles damaged and several people allegedly assaulted. Police have registered 15 FIRs in connection with the Shillong violence.KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar, who were arrested on Wednesday and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days, have been shifted from Shillong. Kharjana was transferred to Williamnagar district jail, while Sanmiet and Najiar have been lodged at Tura district jail.The East Khasi Hills administration has imposed restrictions on public gatherings in parts of Shillong under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to prevent further disturbances.The Centre has also approved the deployment of five companies of central forces — four of the CRPF and one of the RAF — to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.
