Two petrol bombs hit the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) office in Shillong on Monday. The petrol bombs were hurled by two men on scooters, targeting the MSPCB building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The police are investigating the matter, with personnel from the crime unit and the Laitumkhrah police station arriving at the spot to conduct an inquiry.
According to sources, the incident occurred between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM. The Superintendent of Police (SP) City also arrived at the MSPCB office. When reporters asked whether the incident was linked to the recent protests against the Shree Cement public hearing in East Jaintia Hills, the SP replied that it was too early to draw any conclusions.
MSPCB Member Secretary G.H. Shyrmang stated that he was on his way to Byrnihat when he was informed about the incident. He immediately returned to the office and also filed a complaint with the laitmukhrah police station. He mentioned that, according to CCTV footage, two individuals with their faces covered and entered the office premises and hurled the bomb. According to source they arrived in two in seperate scooty. One bomb landed near a Senior Scientific Assistant, but he remained unhurt. Shyrmang added that he was unsure if there was any connection to the recent protests in East Jaintia Hills against Shree Cement.
It is worth noting that the MSPCB recently conducted a public hearing in Elaka Nongkhlieh of East Jaintia Hills, for Shree Cement to mine limestone (mawshun) in the area know as “lum shyrman”. The hearing faced significant resistance from protesters, with allegations surfacing that locals opposing the project were actively blocked from participating in the public hearing.
