Unidentified persons hurled a petrol bomb at the residence of the editor of The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim, on April 17 evening in Shillong’s Umpling area.
Although no one was injured, Mukhim said that she heard an explosion outside her home and found the wall below her bedroom window charred.
Locals claimed to have seen two youths with their face covered hurling the bomb. A case has been filed and investigations are underway. Davis NR Marak, Superintendent of Police (SP), East Khasi Hills, had reached Mukhim’s residence soon after the incident.
Mukhim, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2000, posted a picture of the bomb on Facebook expressing her shock. “Those who did this ugly deed need to be arrested. I heard the explosion and saw the flames rising. It’s a terrible feeling,” she wrote.
David Laithphlang, president of the Shillong Press Club, condemned the incident. “Peace has been our hallmark but we will not cower down before forces of evil and no attempt to dissuade us from discharging our professional duties and rendering our service will ever fructify,” he said in a statement.
Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expressed shock over the incident and urged the Meghalaya government to book the perpetrators.
“Unlike many states of the country, Meghalaya has no such report of journalist-attack in recent times. Hence the incident should be investigated urgently and appropriate actions should be taken against the criminals,” said a statement issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria.
Very troubling news from Shillong: one of our finest editors, Patricia Mukim of Shillong Times has a petrol bomb thrown at her residence. Hope culprits will be caught soon. Shillong press club to protest: we all stand in solidarity.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) April 18, 2018
