Shillong, June 29: As many as 22 arson cases including five cases of petrol bomb attack on government offices in East Khasi Hills district have been registered in the last one month, and 20 persons mostly members of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) were arrested.
The arrested persons have allegedly involved in arson cases even as some of them are not KSU members.
The KSU is opposing construction of railway line, and demanded that strong mechanisms should be first implemented to check influx in the state.
A number of KSU members allegedly involved in other arson incidents in Ri-Bhoi district were also arrested.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP), Davis N.R. Marak on Thursday said that out of 22 cases, five cases were related to hurling of petrol bomb on government offices, and eight cases of petrol bomb attack on vehicles.
Those who have been arrested were booked under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act.
The SP said that suspected persons were picked up based on specific inputs and certain evidences. Meanwhile deployment of security personnel at places where government offices are located has been beefed up especially at night.
Advisory was also issued to shop keepers to keep with them fire extinguishers and water in view of arson incidents.
22 arson cases registered, 20 persons arrested in East Khasi Hills
