Meghalaya: 1 more dead as fresh clashes erupt, curfew re-imposed

Shillong: In fresh clashes that erupted in Meghalaya, one person was killed while another was injured when the two of them were stabbed at Bara Bazaar area of capital Shillong on Saturday morning. Following this, curfew has been re-imposed at Lumdienjiri and in areas under Sadar Police Station in Shillong.

Announcing this, East Khasi Hills DC Matsiewdor War Nongbri said that massive security arrangements have been made in the district to put a brake on further escalation of such incidents.

Meanwhile, Internet services remain suspended in six districts of Meghalaya — East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts — since 10 pm on Friday. SMS services of all mobile service providers also remain hit, being limited to only five SMS per day, a circular issued by the secretary to the government of Meghalaya, home (political) department said.

On Friday, one person was killed when a clash between between two groups of people took place at Ichamati under Shella constituency of East Khasi Hills district.

Also Read: Meghalaya: 1 dead in clash between two groups, curfew imposed

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police took to Facebook to clarify on the episode on Friday evening, “There was a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) meeting in Ichamati today [Friday] afternoon. At around 3 pm, after the meeting, clashes broke out between KSU members and local non-tribals of the area. Thereafter, the KSU members burnt a haystack at the edge of the market and attempted to burn a house. The non-tribals retaliated and stoned one bus carrying KSU members. One local taxi which had gone to collect the KSU members from the Ichamati market after the clashes was damaged, one vehicle of the EAC J Umdor, MCS also got damaged. Four members of KSU were injured, two were sent to Ichamati CHC and released, two were referred to Sohra CHC. The person driving the local taxi viz Shri Lurshai Hynniewta, 35 years, S/o Late Serkin Nongkyndrih R/o Khliehshnong Sohra, succumbed to his injuries. Curfew has been imposed in Shillong agglomeration and adjoining areas and internet services have been suspended in the six districts of the Eastern Range as a precautionary measure. [sic]”

Earlier, state chief minister Conrad K Sangma informed that an inquiry has been instituted and different companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) have been deployed. He said that considering the spillover effect in the capital town, Internet has been suspended and curfew clamped since 10 pm on Friday.

The chief minister also informed that as per their information, a meeting on Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and Inner Line Permit (ILP) had ended in Ichamati and people were dispersing when miscreants came in large numbers and attacked the members of the KSU. In that clash, many sustained injuries while a person lost his life.

Meanwhile, home minister Lahkmen Rymbui said that keeping in view the simmering tension, internet has been suspended and curfew imposed in Shillong, Shella and Sohra from Friday night. The home minister also said that the government is taking all measures to contain the violence and restore law and order.

According to a home department notification issued on Friday, SMS services of all mobile service providers have been limited to five per day, besides mobile internet/ data services of all mobile service providers being suspended for the next 48 hours starting 10 pm on Friday in six districts of Meghalaya — East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills.