SHILLONG:
A young businessman was assaulted by a mob of miscreants inside a four-star property at Polo Grounds, on the night of April 11.
The incident, which somehow managed to miss the media glare, was reported from the city’s Polo Towers Hotel, when, after dishing out unsavoury services to customers during a private party, the host was severely assaulted with sharp weapons by a group of goons inside the hotel.
According to sources, on the night of April 11, a young city businessman (who has chosen to remain incognito), was so severely assaulted by a wild motley crew of goons at the hotel and, even though more than a fortnight has elapsed, the victim is still nursing his injuries and slowly coming out of the trauma.
“Other hotels and hospitality facilities will be hit for sure when this incident goes public, but I think it will be for the greater good of all. After all, this is also my hometown and I am so happy when friends and people call to say they are visiting Meghalaya. I hope this will be a lesson to everyone, especially those in the tourism promotion business,” the businessmen said.
Narrating his ordeal, the victim said that he had organised a small get together of family and friends at Hotel Polo Towers on April 11 and accordingly the event got off to a great start with the ambience resonating joy and glee all around.
However, trouble began when dinner was served, and the guests had commenced eating. Much to the chagrin of the host, the service started deteriorating and became very slow; at times, guests having to wait for the assorted breads (naan and tandoori roti) which, otherwise ideally, should come hot out of the tandoor at regular intervals without making guests wait.
As polite reminders and inquiries fell on deaf ears, an uncomfortable host then followed a waiter to the service corridor asking to for the manager’s whereabouts. The waiter, however, in turn rebuked him and threatened him of “dire consequences” if he didn’t “shut up” claiming that he has some “very powerful” friends.
The matter, however, was sorted out after other senior staff of the hotel intervened and thereafter, the service returned to normal, and everyone finished their meal in peace forgetting about the “mere” verbal tiff.
As the guests were ready to depart, there was a commotion outside the banquet hall of the hotel and shortly after that, the host and his friends were informed that an unruly crowd had gathered outside the hotel door wanting to settle scores with the him, portraying him as the culprit.
“Two Khasi lady staffs from the reception asked me to go outside and apologise to them, saying it will only be resolved then and I promptly obliged, thinking that it was an issue that did not need so much trouble and attention. But instead of talking to me, they pushed me back inside,” the businessman recollected.
Elaborating further, he said, “They then attacked us, and one of them took out a dao (machete) and struck me in the head and hands, causing me to panic and fell. I grappled with him and when the dao fell from his hand, he ran away. Fortunately, the police arrived soon after and caught the persons. I, along with others, were rushed to Woodland Hospital for emergency treatment which resulted in 24 stitches on my head and both hands. In fact, some of my stitches were removed only yesterday.”
The victim didn’t file a police complaint because police had already registered a case against the attackers, with a senior Sadar Police Station officer supervising it.
At present, two persons, who have confessed to the crime, are in custody, while efforts to apprehend the others is on, the sources added.
“We are on the job to catch the remaining suspects and since the inquiry is on, it wouldn’t prudent on our part to divulge anything as of now. Once due process and procedure is complied with and completed, PHQ (police headquarters) will share all relevant details,” an official privy to the matter said requesting anonymity.
When contacted, the owner of Polo Towers Kishan Tibrewala, who was out of town on the day of the incident and had rushed back to resolve the situation, expressed deep regret at the incident, terming it as “unfortunate and sad”. Apologising profusely, he said, “It is very unfortunate to have happened in one of our properties. It has never happened before and we will not leave any stone unturned to resolve such issues immediately,” he said, adding, “We have settled the matter with the guests and now await the outcome of the police case.”
When asked if the errant employees have been terminated, Tibrewala said, “Now they have been arrested by police and we will do the needful.”