Guwahati: Meghalaya police has so far arrested 11 persons in connection with the brutal assault in Lawsohtun, Shillong, in which 6 youths were brutally assaulted by a gang of 20-25 men.
A criminal case no. 71(07)20 has been registered at the Laban Police Station, following which, 3 suspects were picked up yesterday and 8 suspects were picked up today, police confirmed.
The Meghalaya Police department has urged witnesses to come forward and help carry the investigation forward to help ascertain the facts and circumstances of the case, and help in identifying the perpetrators of the shocking crime. The police have assured that the identities of these persons will be kept a secret.
"Furthermore, the department also issues a stern warning to any individual who incites or breaches communal peace and harmony, as stringent action as per relevant provisions of law will be taken against them", the Meghalaya police said in a statement undersigned by G.K. Iangrai, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (A).
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has strongly condemned the incident that has stirred up a storm on social media. "I strongly condemn the assault on 5 boys yesterday in Lawsohtun, Shillong. An assault on any citizen of the State irrespective of background or community will not be tolerated. Perpetrators of such heinous crimes will be charged by law. Action will be taken", Sangma wrote in a tweet.
The incident at Lawsohtun:
Yesterday, some youths hailing from Laban and adjoining areas went to play basketball at Block IV in Lawsotsun. At around 12:30 pm, 20-25 unidentified men assaulted these youths with iron rods and sticks. Several individuals -- identified as Arindam Deb, Subharshi Das Purkayastha, Saptarshi Das Purkayastha, Binak Deb, Bishal Ghosh, and Prittish Deb -- were grievously injured in the assault.
A police team reached the location where they ran into Bishal and Saptarshi Das, who had managed to flee from the assaulters. All the victims were taken to the neighbouring Woodland Hospital for treatment.