Garo Hills Curfew was imposed in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya following violence linked to the Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election nomination process. After this mobile internet services were suspended. Officials gave this information on Tuesday. He said the curfew was imposed on March 10 and will remain in force for 24 hours, while mobile internet services will remain suspended for 48 hours.
Miscreants vandalized many shops
On Monday evening, miscreants vandalized several shops in Chibinang area of the district. After this curfew was imposed in the area. District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal said the decision was taken after receiving information regarding the possibility of disruption of public peace and order, which could lead to threat to human life and property in the district. Under this order, any person is prohibited from moving out of his place of residence within the limits of West Garo Hills district during the curfew period.
Internet services suspended for 48 hours
Officials said these restrictions were necessary and appropriate considering the prevailing law and order situation. Their objective was to prevent any kind of disturbance to public peace. The state government has ordered suspension of mobile internet services in West Garo Hills district for 48 hours from March 10 as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of rumors and maintain public order, an official said.
Senior administrative and police officials, including magistrates, are camping in the affected areas. We are monitoring the situation closely. Security forces have been deployed in the area. Police and CRPF are keeping strict vigil. The incident of vandalism at shops occurred amid a controversy over a recent notification issued by the GHADC requiring candidates to produce valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates while filing nomination papers for the council elections to be held on April 10. Cyril Diengdoh, commissioner and secretary in-charge of home and district council affairs, said the government has directed all deputy commissioners, including West Garo Hills, to hold peace committee meetings with community leaders and appeal for maintaining peace.
appealed for peace
“We have asked the DC to convene all communities and hold peace committee meetings and appeal for peace,” Diengdoh told PTI. He said additional security forces would be deployed in the district after the Superintendent of Police demanded more security personnel. “More forces will be sent,” he said. He said the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills has been asked to submit a factual report about a candidate who was prevented from filing his nomination papers.
Nomination filing process 16 March
The process of filing nominations for the GHADC elections began on Monday and will continue till March 16, while scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for March 17. No candidate filed nomination papers on the first day as political parties collected nomination papers only after a briefing at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Diengdoh further said, “There are no plans at this time to extend the enrollment period. We are assessing the situation and waiting for reports. We will see as the situation evolves.”
