PNS|Tura
A mob attack at the office of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma left five security personnel injured. Mr Sangma is unharmed. He is, however, still inside his office in Tura as hundreds have surrounded the compound.
Garo Hills-based civil society groups have been on a hunger strike demanding for a winter capital in Tura.
Trouble started this evening when hundreds of people gathered outside the Chief Minister’s office and started throwing stones. Five security personnel were injured in the attack. They were brought inside Mr Sangma’s office. While Mr Sangma is safe, he is unable to get out of the office as the protesters have blocked the access road.
The situation is under control but tense, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Sangma was talking to the protesters when some people in the crowd started throwing stones. The civil society groups that have been demanding a winter capital in Tura include ACHIK and GHSMC.
Mr Sangma has asked the protesters to meet for a discussion on the winter capital demand and job reservation. Cabinet ministers and other stakeholders will attend. He asked the organisations to end their protest before they can begin talks in state capital next month.
Sources said Mr Sangma had been discussing the matter with the civil society organisations for over three hours, when some people in the crowd – allegedly not part of the groups – gathered outside the Chief Minister’s office and started throwing stones. The police fired tear-gas to control the crowd.
