Shillong, Sept 4: Police action against HITO activists on Monday resulted in damaging an eatery at SMB parking lot, opposite SBI main branch.
Two Khasi ladies who were running the shop are annoyed over the action of the police as food items prepared for the customers were wasted as they fell on the floor.
However, an official said it happened when the police personnel were trying to disperse the HITO activists.
Narrating the incident in the city, in a statement, East Khasi Hills SP Sylvester Nongtynger said on Monday that Donbok Dkhar, President, Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) was summoned to Sadar PS vide Notice U/s 41A Cr.PC issued to him in connection with Sadar PS Case No. 169/2023 U/s 171/34 IPC R/w Sec 105 MP Act. However, at 10 am, the HITO members numbering around 40-50 members led by Donbok ,Gary Marboh, Shaniah Nongrum, James L Nongpiur and Wanbun N. Dkhar assembled at SMB Parking Lot Opposite SBI Main Branch GS Road without prior permission from the district administration displaying flags and placards. The magistrate along with the police official had intervened to persuade members of HITO to disperse and let the president of HITO to proceed to Sadar PS for recording his statement. HITO members did not oblige the instruction of the magistrate and instead collectively marched on foot to Sadar PS through Police Bazar.
After recording of statement, the crowd was persuaded and instructed to disperse peacefully. However, while the HITO president was returning from Sadar PS, the HITO members led by Donbok who were gathering outside the main gate of Sadar PS forcefully attempted to march towards the main secretariat to dump their placards as instructed by Donbok On reaching Kachari Point, they were stopped as no prior permission was given by the district administration as the procession was in violation of the order U/s 144 CrPC passed by the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills. Then the HITO members turned violent and forcefully pushed the human barricade, officers and men on duty. As a result of which a magistrate on duty and three police personnel were assaulted by HITO members and they sustained injuries.
“In order to control the unruly mob, the police used stun grenades and mild lathi charge to disperse the unlawful assembly and in the process, the pressure group pelted stones at the police resulting in head injury to one Dy. Superintendent of Police. The injured persons were shifted to hospital for their medical treatment. In this connection, 10 persons have been apprehended and a case is being registered”, the SP said.
