Curfew imposed in part of Shillong after fresh violence

Police sources said that one person has succumbed to his injuries after he was stabbed by miscreants in Iewduh.

East Khasi hills district, Deputy Commissioner, Matsiewdor War Nongbri said curfew was again imposed on Saturday fearing possible chances of serious deterioration of law and order in Shillong.

“Information is received that there is an apprehension of serious deterioration of law and order in Shillong city. There is every likelihood of serious breach of peace and tranquillity and may lead to life and property,” Nongbri said in her order.

Nongbri said Curfew was clamped in areas under Lumdiengjri and Sadar police stations and their respective Beat House and Outpost from 12 noon of Saturday until further orders.

Curfew was imposed on Friday in Shillong and Shohra on Friday following Friday’s bloody clashes between two communities at Ichamati village bordering Bangladesh.

It was lifted temporarily earlier on Saturday morning. Police has arrested eight people who were allegedly involved in attacking members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) in Ichamati village.

One KSU activist Lurshai Hynniewta succumbed to his injuries in the clash. As the news spread that Hynniewta died in the social media, there were several cases of arsons in the eastern part of Meghalaya.

Miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb at a printing press and set ablaze three vehicles, including a government vehicle in Lawweitang at Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills late Friday night.

In Shillong, miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb at one private printing press owned by Rajesh Shah. However, no damage was cause. Two tourist taxis parked at Forest colony were also set ablaze, the bulletin stated.

There were also report of burning of tyres and blocking the road with boulders at Lad Lummawbah.

The government has temporarily suspended the internet service in the six districts - East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hill, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi – to prevent misuse of social media to disturb peace and tranquility in the state.

Police officials said that the clash erupted when a group of non-locals armed with sticks and machetes cornered KSU leaders after a public meeting against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Ichamati village.

The leaders of the KSU and Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People had organized an anti-CAA public meeting in Ichamati village.

The government has ordered for a magisterial inquiry has been instituted into the incident to ascertain the fact that led to the clash.

Meanwhile, Governor Tathagata Roy has appealed to all citizens in Meghalaya, tribal or non-tribal: keep calm.

“ Don’t spread rumours and don’t listen to rumours,” Roy tweeted.

Roy said that the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has spoken to him and assured him that he is taking all necessary steps. “ We are agreed that the prime requirement now is to maintain law and order,” he said.