Internet services again suspended in Meghalaya's Khasi, Jaintia Hills region

The intelligence has cautioned the state government to once again suspend internet services in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region and Ri-Bhoi district for 48 hours.

Following the intelligence reports, the Home department of Meghalaya government has issued an order on Saturday evening and suspended internet services in the region for 48 hours effective from 3 pm on June 16.

The notification issued by the Home department stated that, the messaging systems like Whatsapp and other Social Media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are likely to be used for the transmission of information ranging from photographs, videos and text which can inflame passions and thus escalate the law and order crisis in the entire Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi district.

To prevent the misuse of social media to disturb the peace and tranquility  of the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi district and for maintaining the law and order situation, the Home department has issued the notification under the provision of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and has suspended the use of internet services for the next 48 hours in East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.

A top official of state home department said that the order was issued based on a report of the Director General of Police that a serious law and order situation continue to prevail in the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi district.

Earlier, the state government had lifted the suspension of mobile internet services on June 13,  12 days after banned on June 1 and said that the situation has been improved.

Massive violence had erupted in Shillong for since May 31 and June 1 following a local bus conductor and two other local Khasi boys were allegedly assaulted by some people of Sikh community at Them Iew Mawlong (Punjabi Lane).

On May 31, a minor scuffle between the people Khasi tribal community and Sikh community (non-tribal) – many of them dalits, was happened at Them Iew Mawlong (Punjabi lane) in Shillong town, which turned violence in the capital city of Meghalaya.

On May 31 night, the situation turned violent as people who gathered at Mawkhar point had pelted stones targeting to the security personnel and security forces also resorted baton charge, used tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

On June 1 evening, a mob gathered at Motphran area in th city and pelted stones are lobbed petrol bombs at security personnel and five police personnel were injured.

Apart from it, mob had damaged three police vehicles and one cab was burnt.

On June 2, police had recovered 26 petrol bombs and several weapons from the roadside at Punjabi Lane.

The clash between protesters and security personnel has left many injured and landing few protesters in jail.

Over 100 police personnel were injured during the clash, while police detained at least 40 persons and arrested 15 others.

(By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)