Shillong: The total curfew imposed in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district was partially relaxed from 8 am to 1 pm on Thursday to allow residents to purchase essential items, officials said.
The curfew had been enforced after violence in the neighbouring West Garo Hills district claimed two lives earlier this week.
Authorities had imposed the curfew in East Garo Hills under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) amid fears that the unrest in West Garo Hills could disturb public peace and law and order in the district.
Deputy Commissioner R P Marak said the temporary relaxation was granted so that people could buy essential commodities, while security personnel continued to keep a close watch on sensitive areas.
The violence in West Garo Hills broke out during protests linked to the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Demonstrators were opposing the participation of non-Garo communities in filing nominations for the council polls.
According to officials, two people were killed and several others injured when police opened fire to disperse a mob during clashes in the Chibinang area on Tuesday (March 10).
The unrest also triggered incidents of arson and property damage in parts of the Garo Hills region. In response, authorities deployed additional security forces, including five columns of the Army — three in Tura and two in Chibinang — to restore normalcy.
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Following the violence, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday announced that the GHADC elections, which were scheduled for April 10, would be postponed.
