Shillong: A tyre was found burning in the middle of the road at Mawblei around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, with a handwritten warning note placed near the fire, raising concerns over a possible protest-related message.
No one was found at the spot when the incident was discovered. However, a piece of cardboard bearing the message, “Wat kem kulmar ïoh kan pluh”, was found propped up near the burning tyre.
Police from the Madanriting Police Station later reached the spot and extinguished the fire. An investigation into the incident is underway.
While the exact meaning of the warning and the identity of those behind the incident remain unclear, the incident comes amid the recent arrests of KSU leaders in connection with disturbances following a protest rally held on August 19.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), through its Central Executive Committee (CEC), on Friday, September 4, gave the state government three days to arrest all those allegedly involved in damaging vehicles, illegally digging up roads and assaulting members of the public who were seeking to attend a public hearing concerning Shree Cement. The hearing was held on July 31 at Lum Syrman in East Jaintia Hills.
The KSU has also expressed anger over what it described as the frequent booking and filing of cases against its leaders, including the arrest of Samuel Kharbani, General Secretary of the KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle, when he appeared before police in response to a summons.
