Kamal Ghorui
Army columns were deployed in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district after two people were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse violent mobs amid tensions linked to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election nomination process, officials said on Tuesday.The incident occurred in the Chibinang area where clashes broke out between tribal and non-tribal groups, West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma said.“The two persons who died were residents of Chibinang. There was a clash between tribals and non-tribals regarding the GHADC elections, and the firing occurred while we were dispersing an unlawful assembly,” Sangma said, according to news agency PTI.Authorities said the district administration has imposed a curfew across West Garo Hills for the entire day to prevent further escalation of violence.
Army conducts flag march to restore order
Army units were called in after the situation turned tense in parts of the district.“Army columns deployed in West Garo Hills on the request of civil administration and conducting a flag march,” defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahender Rawat told PTI.He did not disclose how many columns had been deployed. A typical Army column generally consists of around 60–80 personnel.Police said additional security forces have also been requested to maintain law and order. “We have sought additional forces, and they are on the way,” Sangma said.Officials said the situation in the district is currently under control.
Tension linked to GHADC election nominations
The unrest comes amid the nomination process for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections, with filing of nomination papers scheduled to continue until March 16. The elections are slated to be held on April 10.The violence was triggered after former Phulbari legislator Estamur Momin was allegedly assaulted by protesters when he arrived at the deputy commissioner’s office in Tura on Monday to file his nomination for the GHADC polls, reported PTI.Protesters had demanded that non-tribal candidates refrain from contesting or participating in the council elections.Earlier, on February 17, the executive committee of the GHADC passed a resolution requiring candidates to produce valid Scheduled Tribe certificates while filing their nominations.
Internet services suspended, peace meeting planned
Hours before the clashes, the Meghalaya government ordered a 48-hour suspension of mobile internet services in West Garo Hills from March 10 to prevent the spread of misinformation and mobilisation through social media.Authorities said voice calls and SMS services remain unaffected.A peace committee meeting convened by Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal is scheduled to be held at the Circuit House in Tura with church leaders, representatives of non-government organisations and local development committees to help defuse tensions.Security has also been strengthened at nomination centres across the district as authorities attempt to prevent further unrest during the ongoing election process.
