‘We can’t rule out anybody’: East Khasi Hills SP on Meghalaya petrol bomb incidents

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem has said around four to five petrol bomb incidents have been reported in Shillong over the past three to four days during Durga Puja, with police yet to make any arrests.

Speaking to reporters, Syiem said investigations were underway and police were gathering CCTV footage from different locations to identify those involved.

“No arrests yet. A case has been registered and the investigation is on,” he said, adding that arrests would follow once the suspects were identified.

Asked whether a particular group was behind the incidents, the SP said no one had claimed responsibility so far and investigators had not established the involvement of any specific organisation.

“As of now, no, but we can't rule out anybody,” Syiem said.

He said police were also stepping up preventive measures to stop further attacks, including increased patrolling and vehicle checks.

“We will intensify patrolling, we will intensify checking, we will intensify all police action,” he said, adding that the police would make every effort to identify the perpetrators and book them under the law.

On surveillance, Syiem said efforts to expand CCTV coverage across Shillong were ongoing. He said around 248 cameras under the Smart City initiative covered approximately 30 locations, while surveillance was also being strengthened at offices and homestays.

Addressing reports of two-wheelers operating without number plates, he said police had intensified checks and were examining vehicles found without registration plates.