Guwahati: An IPS officer was seriously injured after two men on a two-wheeler allegedly rammed into him while trying to get past a police check in Shillong early Friday, September 18. Meghalaya Police have registered a case for attempted murder and taken both riders into custody.
The incident occurred around 1.30 a.m. in Urkaliar, where Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Lovish Garg was carrying out the road check.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (City) Dangsan Khyriem said the riders allegedly accelerated after Garg signalled them to stop.
Instead of stopping at the check point, the two-wheeler allegedly moved towards the officer and hit him. Garg was taken to a private hospital, where he underwent minor surgery and remained under observation.
Police have not made the names of the two riders public. Investigators are trying to determine whether the act was deliberate and why the two men were travelling in the area at that time.
The police statement also said the riders are suspected to be members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU). Their reason for trying to avoid the police check is also being investigated.
The police station concerned has registered the case under provisions relating to attempt to murder. Authorities said checking of vehicles would continue in Shillong and warned that anyone obstructing personnel on duty or trying to avoid such checks could face legal action.
The checks were being conducted as security was tightened in Shillong following petrol bomb attacks on government and police infrastructure, allegedly linked to demands for the release of at least six KSU leaders arrested following violence during the August 19 bike rally.
Participants in the rally allegedly attacked people, damaged vehicles and set one vehicle on fire. Most of the 31 vehicles targeted were registered in Assam, and several of those attacked were non-locals and non-tribal.
The violence also led Assam taxi associations to stop Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering the state. Representatives of the two states later met to resolve the situation.