SHILLONG: In a string of arson attacks, three government-owned vehicles were set on fire by miscreants in three different localities of Shillong city during the early hours of June 6.
According to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem, the first incident took place at around 3:00 AM in front of the Kench’s Trace Police Beat House, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Laban Police Station.
Miscreants used petrol to set fire to a police vehicle, an old model Mahindra Thar bearing registration number ML02 5516.
Although the police personnel stationed at the Beat House acted swiftly and managed to douse the flames quickly, the vehicle sustained noticeable damages, particularly to its hood and seats.
At about the exact same time, another arson attack was carried out near Synod College in Lumdiengjri.
A Toyota Innova belonging to the Health Department (Tnad Koit ka Khiah), with registration number ML05W3399, which was parked on the side of the road, was partially burnt.
A third vehicle, a Maruti Suzuki SX4 bearing registration number ML05 F6060 and belonging to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO), was also targeted.
The vehicle was parked on the roadside at Mawlai Phudmuri when it was set on fire, incurring significant damages to its interior. However, unlike the other locations, no video footage of the Mawlai incident could be obtained.
A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has already arrived at the scene to assist the local police with the collection of evidence.
Official cases are currently being registered across the respective police stations to launch a thorough investigation, with the police actively working to identify and nab the culprits involved in these criminal acts.
