Shillong June 11: Protest erupted on Monday at Jowai town, the headquarter of West Jaiñtia Hills district after a local youth was assaulted allegedly by a non-tribal at ïawmusiang.

The protest led to shutting down of shops owned by non-indigenous business people in the market area.

Talbinus Dhar (24) sustained injury on the head after he was allegedly assaulted by a non-tribal who was working in a mobile shop at Iawmusiang.

According to police, the accused first objected Dhar for smoking inside the shop which led to a heated argument and then a scuffle between them.

Following an FIR filed by Dhar, police arrested the accused and was remanded into 14 days police custody. Police however decided not to reveal the name of the accused.

Soon after the news spread, a large crowd including members of various groups gathered and marched towards Jowai Police Station.

From the police station, the crowd followed the police who was taking the accused to the deputy commissioner’s office for producing him before the court.

To prevent any untoward incident, the district superintendent of police, Vivek Syiem along with district magistrate SC Laloo immediately intervened by talking to the agitating crowd who later agreed to disperse from the DC’s office.

Later a large crowd led by some representatives of some organizations took out a protest again and marched towards Mihmyntdu village, along the national highway-44.

After returning from Mihmyntdu, the crowd gathered again infront of the mobile shop where the accused was working near Thomas Jones College. However the SP and the district magistrate intervened again and asked them not to assemble in the place.

The SP appealed to the people to calm down and not to be misled by any vested interests trying to take advantage of the incident.

The district administration also promulgated section 144 CrPC prohibiting assembly of people in and around the market area.