Shillong, March 12: Authorities in East Garo Hills district temporarily relaxed the curfew for three hours on Thursday morning following violence linked to protests over the nomination process for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections.
The curfew, which had been imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to maintain public order, was eased from 8 am to 11 am to allow residents to purchase essential commodities. R P Marak said the relaxation was granted to help people procure necessary supplies while security forces continued to keep a close watch on sensitive areas.
Violence had erupted in parts of West Garo Hills district during protests associated with the upcoming council elections. Demonstrators opposed the participation of non-Garo communities in filing nomination papers for the polls.
The unrest turned deadly on Wednesday when two persons were killed and several others injured after police opened fire to disperse a mob during clashes in Chibinang. The disturbances also resulted in incidents of arson and damage to property in different parts of the Garo Hills.
In response to the escalating situation, authorities deployed additional security forces, including five columns of the Indian Army to assist the civil administration. Three columns were stationed in Tura, while two others were deployed in Chibinang to help restore order.
Amid the tension, Conrad K. Sangma announced that the GHADC elections, originally scheduled for April 10, have been postponed.
The state government has also suspended mobile internet services across five districts of the Garo Hills region as a precautionary step to prevent the spread of rumours and maintain law and order.
