Meghalaya: Cong MLA visits Mawlai Nongkwar in Shillong following violent clashes

Shillong: Following reports of clashes between security forces and local residents amid curfew on Sunday night, Congress MLA PT Sawkmie visited the violence-hit Mawlai-Nongkwar area of Shillong in Meghalaya on Monday.

On Sunday night, local residents alleged that CRPF personnel came to the locality and raided the area. “There was a huge gathering at Nongkwar leading to chaos between the CRPF personnel and residents,” said a resident.

According to the residents, shops and vehicles were vandalised during the clashes in the Shillong locality.

Residents have now demanded the local authorities and the government to shift the CRPF camp located at Block 9 of Nongkwar to somewhere else, since they feel that they are always at the receiving end whenever there is a law and order situation in Meghalaya.

Sawkmie, too, said that the CRPF camp should be shifted from the area. “People know who is breaking the law here. This compels me to condemn the behaviour of the CRPF. This camp should be removed at the earliest,” he said.

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“Instead of controlling the situation, it is unfortunate for them to beat the people and damage properties. If they continue to be stationed here, people will not feel safe,” added the MLA, who represents the Mawlai assembly constituency.

According to the MLA, more than three people were injured during the clash on Sunday night and are currently under home care. He appealed to the people of Mawlai and civil society organisations to give peace a chance and work together to bring back normalcy in the state.

Curfew was imposed in Shillong and mobile internet services banned in at least four districts of Meghalaya after vandalism and arson rocked the state capital and nearby areas on Independence Day on Sunday during the funeral procession of former HNLC militant Cherishterfield Thangkhiew.

Thangkhiew, who had surrendered in 2018, was shot dead on August 13 when he allegedly tried to attack a police team with a knife during a raid at his house in connection with a series of IED blasts in the state.