SHILLONG, AUG 3: Panic broke out at the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board office in Shillong today afternoon after two masked men on scooters allegedly hurled petrol bombs inside the premises.
MSPCB officials said the incident occurred between 12 pm and 12:30 pm.
The miscreants targeted two spots within the office compound before fleeing the scene.
Fortunately, no damage was reported.
An FIR has been lodged at Laitumkhrah Police Station. Police and the forensic team have visited the site, an official said.
SP (City) Dangsan Khyriem confirmed the attack.
“There were two petrol bombs hurled. The Board will file an FIR, and once that is done, we will register the case. Investigation to nab the culprits has already begun,” he said.
The forensic team has collected samples and confirmed that the devices were petrol bombs.
Khyriem said it was too early to determine whether the incident was connected to the recent protests against the Shree Cement plant.
“I do not know. That is part of the investigation,” he added.
Police are examining CCTV footage from the area and have launched a hunt for the two suspects.
No enmity with anyone
Following the incident, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary GH Chyrmang said the Board had no known enmity with anyone, hours after two masked men allegedly hurled petrol bombs at the MSPCB office in Shillong.
Speaking to reporters, Chyrmang said he was informed about the incident while he was on his way to Byrnihat for an inspection.
“While I was on my way for an inspection to Byrnihat, I received a call from the office informing me about the unfortunate incident, where unknown miscreants had hurled petrol bombs at a few places,” he said.
Chyrmang said he immediately returned to the office.
He said some staff members witnessed the attackers but could not identify them as their faces were covered.
“CCTV footage shows that there were two people, but their faces were covered. We have already filed a complaint at the Laitumkhrah Police Station,” he said.
The Member Secretary said the Board had received information that the suspects arrived on two separate scooters, and two of them entered the office premises.
“According to the information we received, those people came on two scooters. Two people entered the office. I cannot say anything further as the investigation is still ongoing. We have no enmity with anyone, so I do not know if there is any connection,” Chyrmang said.
He confirmed that no one was injured in the attack.
“One petrol bomb was hurled near the chamber of the Senior Scientific Assistant. Thankfully, he escaped unhurt,” he said.
Chyrmang questioned the motive behind targeting the Pollution Control Board office.
“Why target our office? We are just employees doing our work quietly. We have done nothing,” he said.
