Pitch battle on between mob and police

Curfew to continue in North Shillong

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, June 2: Notwithstanding the indefinite curfew that was clamped in Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Wahingdoh, Raitsamthiah, Umsohsun, Wathapbru, Mission Compound and the adjoining areas, the mob re-emerged again at around 10-30. am in the YMCA (under Mawkar) area and resumed their stone pelting activities.

Security forces had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob that had emerged from different alleys located within the vicinity of the area.

It was more of a cat-and-mouse game by afternoon after police rushed further reinforcement to rein-in the agitators numbering more than 1500. Security forces arrested 11 stone-pelters. However, the situation turned worse as women came out to confront the police near the Mothphran point and the YMCA point. While things seems to have been in place another round of stone pelting started prompting the police to fire more tear gas shells.

Till the filing of this report, the pitch battle was on. Senior Magistrates and top police officials monitored the situation.

Meanwhile, the indefinite curfew imposed in the disturbed area will continue, informed a district administration source while the 10 pm to 5 pm curfew in other parts of the city is under review.

Late last night, there was a virtual havoc after a mob nearly reached the colony inhabited by a certain community. The Army provided shelter to around 300 people who had fled their homes. The Army column numbering eight vehicles also carried a flag march during the night.