Shillong, Aug 21: Fresh incidents of arson and petrol bomb attacks were reported across Meghalaya over the past 24 hours, raising fresh concerns as violence triggered during a students’ bike rally two days ago in Shillong spread to multiple districts of the state. While no injuries were reported, government vehicles, offices and a police outpost came under attack in separate incidents in East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts, prompting authorities to step up security measures.

A motorcycle parked on a roadside at Malki in Shillong was set on fire on Friday morning. In Ri-Bhoi district, unidentified miscreants set ablaze two government vehicles and a motorcycle parked inside the premises of the Water Resources Department at Saiden around 2 am on Friday.

According to officials, a Bolero vehicle and a motorcycle were completely gutted, while another Bolero sustained partial damage. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Another petrol bomb attack was reported from South West Khasi Hills district, where miscreants targeted the office of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer at Mawlangwir village near Mawkyrwat around 1 am. The device landed on the roof of the building but failed to cause any damage.

South West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police B. Jyrwa said local residents heard the blast but did not spot any suspects in the vicinity.

30 pm on Thursday. The device landed within the compound and set a chair on fire.

CRPF personnel were present on the upper floor of the building at the time, but no one was injured. Police said a case would be registered and CCTV footage from the area would be examined to identify those responsible.

West Khasi Hills district also witnessed arson attacks, with miscreants setting ablaze a government vehicle belonging to the Community and Rural Development Block. In another incident in the same district, a vehicle belonging to the Public Works Department's Roads wing was also torched.

The latest incidents come two days after violence erupted during a students' rally in Shillong, during which at least 31 vehicles, most of them bearing Assam registration numbers, were damaged and several people were allegedly assaulted. Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to identify those involved in the recent violence.

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said 15 FIRs had been registered in connection with the disturbances in Shillong. The Centre has approved the deployment of five companies of central armed police forces in Meghalaya till August 25 to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.