hours of the day, miscreants had staged a similar attack on another shop owned by another non – tribal. This shop too was completely gutted and the owner’s mother Vidya Devi Chokhani aged 74 who resided with the rest of the family above the shop later succumbed to severe smoke inhalation.

The durga puja which then ensued was, considering the recent series of events, laden with a sense of anxiety and insecurity, and this was especially seen in the non – tribal community of the city. Taking note of the situation, the authorities had requested for additional support of CRPF personnel to augment the existing police personnel to keep vigil throughout the city and ensure that law and order was maintained. This was evident by the number of such personnel who were present in all the puja padals which had been erected throughout the city. Thankfully, the festive occasion concluded without any of the apprehended disturbances taking place apart from the usual scuffles and small – time quarrels which result out of an over indulgence in the ‘spirits’ of any festival in this pristine town. Truth be told, no festival begins or ends without the ceremonial meeting of the lips and glasses in Shillong.

A rude awakening to this respite in violence came on the 9th of October when miscreants walked into ‘Meghalaya Machineries’ a business establishment located at Motphran just outside Iewduh, poured petrol on Vikash Nandwal the owner of the shop and cold – heartedly set him on fire. This crime was perpetrated in broad daylight in an area known to be a bustling place of activity. As a result, Vikash suffered 70 per cent burn injuries and was immediately rushed to the Nazareth Hospital of Shillong. Because of the severity of his injuries, Vikash was then moved to Nemcare Hospital at Guwahati for treatment. Vikash was again moved from Guwahati to Delhi for treatment.

This all came to an end on the 26th of October when Vikash succumbed to his injuries. Magnanimous in spite of the heinous crime perpetrated on his son, JS Nandwal, had said, “They (the perpetrators) do not know what they have done, I hold no grudge against them and I forgive them.” Eastern Panorama raises a salute to Mr. JS Nandwal for his statement even as we offer him our condolences for his loss.

Mr. JS Nandwal also called for the cooperation of all, starting from the Dorbar, to end the unrest which is affecting the people of the State.

Horrified by this incident, hundreds of people of all caste, creed and religion thronged the Khyndailad junction of Police Bazar to express their solidarity with the bereaved Nandwal family. The cold evening was, at this time warmed by the hundreds of candles which were lit in remembrance of Vikash Nandwal who breathed his last after fighting for his life for over two weeks.
 

Miscreants walked into ‘Meghalaya Machineries’ a business establishment located at Motphran just outside Iewduh, poured petrol on Vikash Nandwal the owner of the shop and cold – heartedly set him on fire

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (City) Vivek Syiem has confirmed that a murder case has been registered and that the police would deal firmly in the matter.

The leaders of the various pressure groups who are agitating for the implementation of the ILP in Meghalaya have condoned the death of Vikash Nandway even as they ruled out the involvement of any of their members in the murder case. The President of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJG) has gone so far as to blame ‘opportunists who are taking advantage of the fluid situation.’ “We can’t take responsibility for such incidents as we never asked anyone to commit such offences. We have only sponsored office picketing and road blockades and it is the responsibility of the State Government to maintain law and order and deploy its forces in and around the city,” Marwein added.

In this backdrop of the authorities being hard pressed to ensure safety and security in every nook and cranny of the city and the NGOs washing their hands off such heinous crimes, the stage is set for opportunists to settle personal scores and take pot shots at helpless innocents. One has to question, when will the madness end, when will a sense of responsibility prevail and give Shillong a much needed respite from all the violence?

D. Nampui