Guwahati-Mankachar buses came under attack in Meghalaya’s Tikrikilla area around 2 am on September 21, leaving several vehicles damaged and some drivers injured.
According to reports, unidentified people allegedly pelted stones at multiple night buses travelling towards Mankachar. The attack damaged front windshields, while the affected drivers managed to move away from the area and reach Tikrikilla Police Station.
Guwahati-Mankachar buses targeted at night
The incident occurred as several night super buses passed through Tikrikilla in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district. Reports said a group of around 10 to 12 people allegedly threw stones at the moving vehicles.
The stone-pelting damaged the front windshields of several buses. Some drivers also reportedly suffered injuries during the attack. Despite the damage and injuries, the drivers continued driving until they reached the nearby police station.
The incident caused concern among passengers travelling on the route. However, there were no reports of passengers being seriously injured in the available accounts.
Police reach Tikrikilla attack site
After the drivers informed police, personnel went to the location where the alleged stone-pelting took place. However, the suspected attackers had already left the area by the time police arrived.
Tikrikilla Police have since started an investigation into the incident. Officers are examining the circumstances of the attack and working to identify those responsible.
Meanwhile, the exact motive remains unclear. Passengers reportedly suspected that the attackers may have intended to force the buses to stop and rob those travelling inside. Police, however, have not established robbery as the motive.
Therefore, the reported suspicion should not be treated as a confirmed finding.
Guwahati-Mankachar buses resume journey
Following police intervention and preliminary inquiries, the affected buses were reportedly allowed to continue towards Mankachar after around two hours.
The temporary delay allowed police to assess the situation and make arrangements before the buses resumed their journey. The incident has nevertheless raised concerns about the safety of passengers and transport workers travelling through the area at night.
For bus operators, attacks involving stones can create serious risks because damage to a windshield can affect a driver’s visibility. Injuries to drivers can also make it difficult to control a vehicle carrying several passengers.
Route safety remains a concern
The incident comes at a time when movement between Assam and Meghalaya has already faced security concerns. Earlier in August, violence during a Khasi Students’ Union black-flag motorcycle rally in Shillong led to damage to several vehicles, including some registered in Assam.
That episode was followed by disruptions involving inter-state transport between Assam and Meghalaya. Restrictions affecting vehicles from the two states were later eased after intervention by the respective governments, according to reports.
However, there is no established link between the earlier Shillong violence and the latest Tikrikilla incident. The current case remains under police investigation.
Guwahati-Mankachar buses under police scrutiny
The latest attack has renewed attention on night-time travel along the Guwahati-Mankachar route. Several buses were able to leave the area after the incident, but the damage to their windshields and reported driver injuries underline the risks faced by transport workers on night journeys.
Police are now expected to focus on identifying the people involved and determining why the buses were targeted. Until investigators establish the motive, reports of a possible robbery attempt remain unconfirmed.
Overall, the Tikrikilla attack has raised fresh safety concerns for passengers and drivers using the route. Further details are expected as the police investigation progresses.
