Shillong, March 12: A team of Meghalaya Police came under attack from a mob in Nuh district while escorting an accused linked to multiple ATM robbery cases in East Khasi Hills district, officials said.
According to reports, the incident occurred on the evening of March 10 when the police team was transporting Razul Khan, who is believed to be the mastermind behind several ATM robbery incidents in the state. While the accused was being taken in a police vehicle, a group of people intercepted the convoy and attempted to free him.
The situation quickly escalated as the crowd surrounded the vehicle and allegedly tried to vandalise it in an effort to rescue the accused. A video of the incident that later surfaced on social media showed a police personnel in civil dress firing blank shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Police said the firing was carried out in self-defence after the team came under attack from the mob. During the confrontation, a person identified as Tarif Khan sustained a leg injury and was later admitted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Rohtak for treatment.
Authorities said a case has been registered against 12 named individuals in connection with the attack. Despite the violent confrontation, the police team managed to secure the accused and prevent his escape.
Officials said the accused is suspected to be involved in several ATM robbery cases reported in Meghalaya, particularly in the Mylliem region. Police said investigations are continuing into both the robbery cases and the mob attack on the police team.
