Shillong, August 20: Residents of Nongjaïaw have expressed strong opposition to the police action during a raid on the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) office at Jaïaw Pdeng on Wednesday night, particularly questioning the alleged use of tear gas in a densely populated residential area.

Residents alleged that police personnel fired tear gas shells in the locality despite the presence of residential buildings and families in the vicinity. According to them, the gas spread into nearby houses, causing fear and discomfort among residents.

They questioned the necessity of using tear gas in an area where children, women, elderly persons and other civilians were present, and called for greater restraint in the use of crowd-control measures in residential neighbourhoods.

The residents also disputed any suggestion that the presence of local youths at the site was intended to create unrest. They said many of those present were residents of the locality and members of the organisation.

Describing the police action as excessive, residents said the people of Nongjaïaw would not accept what they perceived as an aggressive operation in their neighbourhood.

They have demanded a thorough inquiry into the incident, with particular focus on the alleged use of tear gas in the residential area. The residents also urged the authorities to take steps to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.