A petrol bomb was thrown at the home of Patricia Mukhim, editor of The Shillong Times, on the evening of Tuesday, April 17 in Umpling, Meghalaya. No one was injured. Eyewitnesses said that they spotted two masked men on a motorcycle throwing a petrol bomb at Mukhim’s home at around 8.25pm. Reports said that Superintendent of Police Davis Marak arrived at the scene soon after locals notified him.
Image: NDTV
Mukhim, who received the Padma Shree in 2000, posted a photograph of the bomb on Facebook, writing, “My home attacked with petrol bomb today at 8.35 pm. I am shocked. Those who did this ugly deed need to be arrested.. I heard the explosion and saw the flames rising. It’s a terrible feeling”. Other journalists came out in support of Mukhim, with Rajdeep Sardesai tweeting, “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.”
The Shillong Press Club “strongly condemned” the incident, with President David Laitphlang calling on authorities to “leave no stone unturned” in capturing those who were behind it. “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.