Shillong, May 19 (UNI) Fifteen trucks belonging to Star Cement were set on fire by an angry mob after a 20-year-old man was fatally run over by a Cement truck at Lumshnong area in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, police said on Monday.
Police have registered an FIR. An investigation into the incident is currently underway. Till the filing of this report, nobody has been arrested, police said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a Star Cement truck, driven by a local, collided with a pick-up truck on NH-06 near Wahiajer village
“The cement truck driver reportedly fled the scene following the collision. Subsequently, the pick-up truck, along with others, pursued the cement truck to the Star Cement premises,” Giri Prasad, the district police chief of East Jaintia Hills, said.
Upon reaching the plant, the pick-up truck driver, also a local, boarded the Star Cement truck and assaulted its driver.
“In an attempt to flee, the truck accidentally ran over the pick-up driver, who died on the spot,” the police officer said.
“Once at the Star Cement premises, one of the individuals from the pick-up reportedly climbed onto the truck and assaulted the driver. In an attempt to flee, the truck accidentally ran over the pick-up driver identified as Sngewlang Suchiang, who died on the spot,” Prasad said.
The tragic incident escalated rapidly as approximately 300 individuals from the vicinity, armed with sticks and other weapons, gathered at the Star Cement compound.
The irate mob destroyed security posts, CCTV cameras, and assaulted security personnel on duty.
Further, the mob set afire 14-15 trucks parked within the Star Cement premises. When the fire tender arrived to control the blaze, the mob attacked the fire brigade personnel as well, attempting to damage the fire tender.
Giri said police personnel tried to contain the situation but were also assaulted by the mob.
“The situation was eventually brought under control with the arrival of additional police, and the crowd subsequently dispersed,” Giri said, adding that additional police forces have been stationed at Star Cement, and administrative officers are on high alert to prevent any further escalation of the situation.
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