Shillong: Durga Puja celebrations remained grand and enthusiastic across Meghalaya despite a series of petrol-bomb attacks near govt offices and puja pandals in Shillong.Security was tightened after a petrol bomb was hurled outside Mawbah Durga Puja pandal on Saturday and an attempt was made to set fire to the welcome gate of Kench’s Trace Puja Committee in Laban early on Monday.On Tuesday evening, Meghalaya state skill development society office on Keating Road, which also houses Employment Exchange, came under attack. The building is opposite Civil Hospital and near PWD and Keating Road Durga Puja pandals.Following a request from Central Puja Committee, Meghalaya, the chief secretary convened a meeting on Monday attended by the director general of police and other senior civil and police officials. The meeting discussed measures to strengthen security and prevent further incidents. Additional plainclothes personnel were deployed to improve surveillance.Puja committees were advised to increase the number of volunteers to help manage crowds and maintain vigilance.A total of 237 Durga Pujas were held across Meghalaya from Oct 16 to 21, with Garo Hills accounting for the highest number at 142.Early Thursday, Oct 22, two masked men on a two-wheeler allegedly hurled a petrol bomb at the building housing Enforcement Directorate office in Shillong’s Langkyrding area. The incident came a day after an attack on the health department office in Laitumkhrah.East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said the building suffered no structural damage and no injuries were reported. Police investigations are underway.
