Shillong: Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district administration has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the entire district in view of the prevailing law and order situation and opposition to the participation of non-tribals in the upcoming general election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
According to an official order issued by District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal, the curfew came into force at 12:00 a.m. on March 10 and will remain in effect until 12:00 a.m. on March 11 across the entire district.
The administration said there is a possibility of obstruction or intimidation affecting the movement of vehicles, which could disrupt normal life and cause inconvenience to the general public.
Officials also warned that such activities, if not prevented, could lead to a breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquillity, injuries, property damage, or even riots.
District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal imposed the restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting any unauthorised procession or unlawful assembly of five or more persons and the carrying of arms or instruments that may be used as weapons, including sticks, rods and stones.
“Any violation of the order will invite penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant legal provisions,” the notification stated.
The controversy comes amid a recent notification issued by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) making it mandatory for candidates to produce a valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate while filing nomination papers for the council elections scheduled on April 10, effectively barring non-tribals from contesting the polls.
ALSO READ: Conrad Sangma highlights eight years of development in Meghalaya under ‘Vision 2032’
The district administration said the precautionary measures were necessary to prevent any escalation of tension and to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election process.
