West Garo Hills police chief Abraham T Sangma said the incident took place in Chibinang district where clashes broke out between tribal and non-tribal groups.“The two deceased were residents of Chibinan. There was a clash between tribals and non-tribals over the GHADC elections and the firing took place when we were dispersing an illegal assembly,” Sangma said, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.The regional government has imposed a round-the-clock curfew in Western Garo Hills to prevent further escalation of violence, authorities said.
Troops hold flag-raising parade to restore order
Army troops were dispatched to the scene after tensions rose in parts of the area.“At the request of the civil administration, the Army column was deployed in the West Garo Hills and conducted a flag-hoisting parade,” Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mahender Rawat told PTI.He did not say how many columns were deployed. A typical Army column usually consists of about 60 to 80 men.Police said additional security forces were also requested to maintain law and order. “We have sought additional troops and they are on their way,” Sangma said.Officials said the situation in the area is now under control.
Tensions related to GHADC election nominations
The riots occurred during the nomination process for the Garo Hills Autonomous Region Assembly elections, with submission of nomination papers expected to continue till March 16. The election is scheduled for April 10.The violence erupted after former Fulbari MP Etamur Momin was allegedly attacked by protesters when he arrived at the Tula deputy commissioner’s office to file his nomination for the GHADC polls on Monday, PTI reported.The protesters asked non-tribal candidates not to contest or participate in the assembly elections.Earlier, on February 17, the GHADC Executive Committee passed a resolution requiring candidates to produce valid Scheduled Tribe Certificates when submitting nominations.
Internet services suspended, peace meeting planned
Hours before the clashes, the Meghalaya government ordered a 48-hour suspension of mobile internet services in Western Garo Hills from March 10 to prevent the spread of misinformation and mobilization through social media.Authorities said voice calls and text messaging services were not affected.A peace committee meeting convened by Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal is scheduled to be held at Circuit House in Tura, with participants including church leaders, NGOs and representatives of local development committees to help defuse tensions.Security has also been beefed up at nomination centers across the region as authorities try to prevent further unrest during the ongoing election process.
