A mentally ill man, who ran away with an INSAS rifle that he snatched from a police constable at Mahendraganj area in South West Garo Hills district, is yet to be traced.
Section 144 CrPC, which has been imposed by the district administration, continues to remain effective in the area as the area continues to be tense.
It may be mentioned that the person of unsound mind, identified as Ahidul Islam, around 35 years of age, attempted to attack the public with a dao at Nadichar under Mahendraganj Police Station on Sunday at around 8 pm.
Also read: Meghalaya: Mob attack on police station, curfew clamped at Mahendraganj
Meghalaya Assistant Inspector General of Police (A), G.K. Iangrai said when police got the information, they immediately rushed to the spot to thwart the attempt of the person.
However, the person also attacked the police personnel and officers who were trying to stop him from inflicting any casualty on the general public.
“In the process of trying to catch hold of the unsound mind person, one of the police personnel dropped his service rifle and while trying to recover his rifle, he fell into the river,” Iangrai said.
After this, Ahidul Islam grabbed the service rifle and started running away from the spot, after which, sub-inspector E.R. Marak, who was present there, resorted to open blank fire to deter the person from carrying away the service rifle and from fleeing away.
“Till today, the missing person and the rifle that he had taken away with him was not recovered yet,” a police official said on Tuesday.
Police said all efforts are being put in to trace the whereabouts of Ahidul Islam.
Sources said there is no report of untoward incident during the whole day on Tuesday.
Asked about the promulgation of Section 144 CrPC at Mahendraganj area, the police official said the prohibitory order has not been lifted but the situation was under control.
On Monday at around 11 am, a large crowd gheraoed Mahendraganj Police Station after rumours spread that the mentally ill person was shot dead by police.
The mob pelted stones which resulted in damage of many official vehicles, including a fire tender of the Meghalaya Fire &Emergency Service.
The attack by mob deteriorated the law and order in the area and this prompted the district administration of South West Garo Hills to promulgate Section 144 CrPC in Mahendraganj area.
Additional forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident.