Fresh incidents of violence broke out in Shillong on the night of June 4 prompting police to use tear gas on the protestors when they defied the curfew and tried to break into the secretariat complex.
The Home Ministry has sent 11 companies of para-military forces to help police maintain law and order in Shillong.
“We have understood that there are people who are funding this agitation. Expensive alcohol and money is being given,” Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma said.
He further named the whole clashes as ‘sponsored.’
He even added that issue is not communal. “The issue is of land… There are claims and counter-claims, and we are committed to amicable solution”, Sangma added.
The issue of unrest started in Meghalaya’s capital when on May 31 a bus conductor (tribal, Khasi community) was assaulted by some residents of the Punjabi line area (migrants). During the incident, three tribal children were also beaten.
Following the fake news on social media that one of the children had died, a mob tried to attack the migrant Punjabi colony and clashes broke out. More than 10 people were injured during the violent clash and a person was arrested. After the incident authorities imposed indefinite curfew in the area.
Even on June 1, the mobs violated the curfew and damaged shops and vehicles by throwing petrol bombs. Following this 200 non-tribal families took shelter at the local army cantonment.
Following the fresh outbreak of clashes:
1. Restrictions on the assembly of more than four people were put in place
2. Internet and text messaging services were also shut down across the city
3. The army was put on standby
4. Police used tear gas to control the mob
5. Punjab government has decided to send a four-member team headed by a Cabinet Minister to Shillong
