Meghalaya: In an unpleasant incident, stones were pelted at Chief Minister's Office while CM Conrad Sangma was having discussions with agitating organisations based in Garo-Hills who are on a hunger strike for a winter capital in Tura. According to the CMO PRO, a crowd (other than agitating groups) gathered at the CMO in Tura and started pelting stones. In retaliation, police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Soon after the incident, CM Sanmga in an interaction with the reporters here said, "The incident that took place today in Tura outside the CM Secretariat, is indeed very unfortunate...while discussions were almost over...we heard some agitation from outside...and it seems that the pelting of stones was initiated by people who were not part of the agitating groups...Necessary action will be taken from the police side. I have decided that I'll be giving Rs 50,000 as medical allowance to all those people who were injured & all the expenditure will be borne by the government..."
Five police personnel were injured
During which, five police personnel were injured. Chief Minister and Public Health Engineering (PHE) minister overseeing the matter at CMO Tura. The commotion still continues.
Night curfew imposed in Tura town
Following the incident, night curfew has been imposed in Tura town with immediate effect. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma also announced Rs 50,000 as ex-gratia payment for the injured personnel. Taking cognisance of the matter, Sangma said the medical expenses of the injured policemen will also be borne by the state government.
"At least five police personnel were injured when the crowd attacked the CM's secretariat at Tura in the evening today. In the melee, police were forced to fire tear gas shells to disburse the crowd," an official at the CM secretariat told PTI.
A large group started pelting stones
According to the police officials, the incident occurred while the protesters were ostensibly seeking winter capital. A large number of outsiders mingled with them and started throwing stones at the office. Officials said that video footage of the mob would be studied and culprits identified. There were also reports of tyres being burnt in several place across the town. Officials said the CM had engaged in " peaceful discussion with agitating organisations for over 3 hours at Tura" during the day.
