Odisha Fire Services personnel attacked in Meghalaya during Citizenship Bill protests

A bus carrying personnel of the Odisha Fire Services (OFS) was attacked in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district during the night road blockade by pressure groups to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill, a senior police officer said Friday. The 22-member team of the OFS were involved in the mission to rescue the 15 miners who were trapped since December 13 at a 370-foot-deep coal mine in the district. "The bus ferrying rescuers from Odisha was attacked by unidentified persons Thursday night during the blockade of the National Highways sponsored by at least 14 pressure groups," said Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtynger said.  He said the window of the bus was partially damaged and there was no injury to the occupants.

The SP said the team was escorted to their place of stay during the night and rebutted reports that the rescuers were injured. A group of about 14 pressure groups led by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council called the night blockade of national highways in the Khasi Jaintia Hills region from 7 pm Thursday night till 5 am Friday morning to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)