Security Beefed Up in Shillong After Late-Night Tyre Burning Incidents
Meghalaya police deploy additional forces in Shillong after tyres were burnt at four locations, ahead of Vice-President's visit.
Authorities in Meghalaya have tightened security across Shillong following a series of overnight incidents in which tyres were set ablaze at four separate locations in the city. The incidents occurred on Saturday night at Motphran, Malki Point, Don Bosco, and near Wok Restaurant in Laitumkhrah.
Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the incidents, stating that tyres were burnt on the road at these four places. In response, two-and-a-half companies of state police have been deployed to maintain law and order in the city.
The heightened security measures come ahead of Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan's scheduled visit to Meghalaya on September 7 and 8. During his visit, he is set to lay the foundation stones for five major infrastructure projects with a combined investment of Rs 1,010.95 crore, spanning water supply, road connectivity, power, and healthcare.
The largest of these is the Phase II (Part A) of the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme, estimated at Rs 850.58 crore. This project aims to establish a modern city-scale network for New Shillong City and surrounding areas, designed to serve around 4.34 lakh people and approximately 86,900 households. It will also introduce Meghalaya's first city-scale smart metering and volumetric water billing system.
Other projects include a 110-metre major bridge over the Umngot River on the Jongksha-Kharang-Dienglieng-Nongjrong-Moodymmai-Wahiajer road (Rs 21.86 crore), and a 13.50-km all-weather road from Umsen to Barapathar via Pilangku-A, Jyrmang, Chibra, and Mawiong (Rs 56.01 crore). The road will connect villages across Jirang and Umling blocks in Ri-Bhoi and provide a shorter interstate link with Assam.
Additionally, a 30-bedded AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital will be established at a cost of Rs 10 crore, expanding access to Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, Panchakarma therapy, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. A 2x50 MVA, 132/33 kV substation at Mawkhanu, along with a 132 kV double-circuit Saisiej-Mawkhanu transmission line, will be built for Rs 72.50 crore.
The Vice-President's visit is part of a broader tour of the Northeast, with scheduled stops in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh from September 6 to 9.