The situation again flared up in Motphran when a mob attempted to march towards Them Aew Mawlong.
An indefinite curfew has been imposed in parts of Meghalaya's Shillong after a series of clashes last night. Several people have been injured although there has been no report of any death. Today, a mob violated the curfew and tried to gather, according to police, and threw stones. The police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Mobile internet services and SMS services have been suspended in Shillong.
According to police sources, it all started last evening after a conductor was assaulted by locals at Them Mawlong area of the city allegedly after altercation with locals.
However, things turned dramatic when the conductor's co-workers returned to the spot a few hours later to avenge the beating. One thing led to another and soon there was a full-blown clash between groups armed with rods, daggers and other sharp weapons. The mob, comprising residents and state transport staff, kept growing, courtesy social media. They threw stones, petrol bombs and whatever they could lay their hands on. Several people were injured and a few vehicles were damaged.
The police had to fire in the air and use tear gas to disperse the mob. Later in the evening, the situation again flared up in Motphran when a mob attempted to march towards Them Aew Mawlong area but was prevented by the cops.
An indefinite curfew has been imposed in parts of the city which looks calm at the moment.
Fearing more clashes, Section 144 was imposed in certain pockets of Shillong under East Khasi hill district, police said.
"It all started after a conductor was assaulted by locals for allegedly misbehaving with a woman," an officer said.
Three persons have so far been arrested for the violence. As the incident could have led to communal tension between tribal and non-tribal population, an indefinite curfew has been imposed, police said.
The situation in under control, an officer added.