Shillong: Three unidentified suspects hurled two petrol bombs at the Directorate of Mineral Resources office in Risa Colony on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred around 3:15 pm, while staff worked inside. One device hit a boundary wall, and the second scorched a Maruti Alto, registration number ML 05 AC 0429, belonging to a department employee. Staff doused the flames within five minutes. No one died.
DMR Director M.B. Tongper was in a meeting when the glass shattered. "I heard what sounded like bottles breaking outside," he said. Officials turned to see the vehicle on fire. Laitumkhrah police are currently reviewing CCTV footage recovered from the scene and have logged two separate FIRs.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma visited the office alongside Chief Secretary Shakil Ahmed. He promised to cover the repair costs for the damaged car. Sangma also ordered the installation of high-definition cameras to harden security at the site. This strike marks the latest in a relentless two-month wave of arson targeting government property.
Trouble began August 3 at the State Pollution Control Board. It followed a contentious cement mining hearing. KSU protests on August 19 escalated into widespread violence against public property. By August 20, attackers moved on police facilities, bombing Nongmensong Outpost. Subsequent attacks hit Madanrting Police Station, the NPP office in Lower Lachumiere, and a motorcycle in Malki. On September 12, two suspects on a scooter firebombed Laban Police Station, burning a police Gypsy. Authorities have yet to catch those responsible for the ongoing spree.
Updated at 17th September 2026 at 10:31am
The owner of the scorched Maruti Alto is a female staff member. She and DMR Director M.B. Tongper have both filed separate FIRs regarding the attack. Authorities also alerted the Fire and Emergency Services and the Deputy Commissioner immediately following the incident.
Investigators are currently scrubbing the facility's CCTV footage to track the exact route the suspects used to reach the office. This strike marks the first time the DMR office has been targeted in such a manner. The Chief Minister confirmed that the planned security upgrades will extend to government offices across the state, not just the DMR site.
Context for the broader wave of violence includes a July 31 public hearing regarding a Shree Cement Ltd limestone mining project, which preceded the initial August 3 attack on the State Pollution Control Board. Additionally, three KSU leaders were arrested following the August 19 protests. The recent spree follows a three-day ultimatum issued by the union to the government regarding the registration of cases against its members.
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