In a shocking development, some miscreants attacked a shop in the temple premise of Mahadev Khola temple located in Meghalaya’s Shillong on the afternoon of the third Monday of the auspicious Sawan (monsoon) month. The attackers also thrashed the worshipers and robbed the shop, disturbing the peace in the area of Shillong’s famous Shiva temple, Mahadev Khola Dham.

This incident took place on Monday afternoon, during the third Monday of Sawan when a large crowd had gathered to offer their prayers. Tensions broke out when a visitor visited Mahadev Khola Dham and asked one of the stores there for some beverage. However, he informed the shopkeeper that he would pay her later. On refusal, he felt insulted and hurled a coconut at the woman shopkeeper. Her 21-year-old son had to intervene to protect her.

 

The situation escalated when the miscreant returned with a group of 9-10 people who attacked the woman and her son, robbed the store, and fled. The miscreants took their cellphones and cash worth Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000, according to a FIR that the shop’s owner filed.

 

Upon information, police personnel from Jhalupara OP rushed to the spot. The mother and boy are said to have suffered minor injuries, and after receiving first aid and a medical inspection, they were both released.

 

A video of the incident is also going viral on social media where the miscreants can be seen creating a ruckus in the temple premises. They can be seen thrashing the devotees and also manhandling the assets of the nearby shop.

 

The Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) shared the video and stated that the miscreants were from the Khasi Students Union.

 

 

At present, FIR in the case has been filed and investigations are underway to capture the accused.

 

According to the latest reports, at least three persons were arrested and two juveniles were apprehended. Informing this here on Tuesday, East Khasi Hills SP, Sylvester Nongtnger, said the culprits involved in the incident have been identified with the help of CCTV footage.

 

“We have arrested three persons and apprehended two juveniles. Interrogation will be done properly against the three boys and action will be taken as per law. They will be soon produced before the court and of course the two juveniles will be dealt with as per Juvenile Justice Act,” he said.

 

He informed that a case has been registered with the Lumdiengjri police station after a complaint was filed by the victims.