Shillong: Curfew in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district has been extended for another 48 hours amid the prevailing law-and-order situation, the district administration said on Tuesday.
In an order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, West Garo Hills District Magistrate Vibhor Agarwal said the curfew will remain in force from 12:00 A.M. on March 11, 2026, until 12:00 A.M. on March 13, 2026, unless withdrawn earlier.
The curfew had initially been imposed across the district on March 9 following incidents of violence and disturbance of public peace reported from various parts of the district.
The district administration said the decision to extend the curfew was taken after assessing the situation and receiving reports from law enforcement agencies, which indicated that stringent preventive measures were necessary to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation of violence.
During the curfew period, residents have been directed to remain indoors and no movement outside residences will be permitted within the district limits.
The administration has also ordered the closure of all educational institutions, banks, commercial establishments, markets, offices and other business establishments in the district during the curfew period.
However, essential services, including hospitals, pharmacies, emergency services and utility services will continue to operate, along with other services specifically permitted by the district administration.
All law enforcement agencies, executive magistrates and police personnel have been directed to strictly enforce the order and take action against anyone violating the curfew.
The administration warned that any violation of the order would attract penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other relevant provisions of law.
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Meanwhile, Army columns have been deployed in the West Garo Hills district, amid the rising violence in the region.
It may be mentioned that two persons were reportedly killed after security forces in West Garo Hills opened fire to disperse an agitated crowd in the Chibinang area amid tensions over the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election nomination process.
