Shillong: A gang of 10 to 12 people ambushed night buses traveling from Guwahati to Mankachar. The attack happened in Tikrikilla, Meghalaya, around 2 am on Monday. Stones smashed the front windshields of several vehicles.
Drivers suffered injuries during the barrage. They kept the buses moving until they reached the Tikrikilla Police Station. The attackers vanished before officers arrived at the scene. Police are currently investigating the crime. Passengers suspect the gang wanted to rob them, but authorities have not confirmed a motive yet. Buses resumed their trip to Mankachar two hours after the police finished their initial look at the scene.
Regional tensions remain high. A similar flare-up occurred on August 19 during a Khasi Students’ Union black-flag motorcycle rally in Shillong. That riot left 31 vehicles damaged and several people assaulted. Following those clashes, transport operators blocked vehicles across state lines at Jorabat, Umiam, and Byrnihat. State officials eventually restored order. Commenting on the ongoing safety concerns, one passenger noted the atmosphere on the road has been volatile, stating, "Passengers travelling on the buses reportedly suspected that the attack could have been an attempt to rob them."
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