SHILLONG, MAR 10: Two persons were killed in police firing early Tuesday as officers dispersed an unlawful assembly during a night‑curfew enforcement, West Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma confirmed.
The incident followed a clash between tribal and non‑tribal groups amid rising tensions around nominations for the April 10 Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections.
“They 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.
“The situation right now is under control,” he added.
The district administration has extended curfew to a full‑day clamp across West Garo Hills and ordered additional forces to guard against further escalation.
“We have sought additional forces and they are on the way,” Sangma stated.
The incident came hours after the state government ordered a 48‑hour suspension of mobile data services from midnight March 10, citing reports from the Deputy Commissioner and SP of mobilisation, assaults and misinformation on social media that threatened law and order during nomination filing. Voice calls and SMS remain unaffected.
A peace‑committee meeting convened by Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal will proceed Tuesday at the Circuit House in Tura, bringing together church leaders, NGO leaders and local development committees in a bid to lower tensions.
Security has been reinforced at nomination centres as filing continues through March 16.
The unrest started after former legislator of phulbari Estamur Mominin was allegedly assaulted by protesters when he arrived at the deputy commissioner’s office in Tura to file his nomination for the GHADC polls.
Protesters have demanded non-tribals to refrain from contesting and participating in the GHADC polls.
On February 17, the executive committee of the GHADC passed a resolution making it mandatory for the candidates to produce ST certificates.
Also Read: 24-hour curfew imposed in West Garo Hills starting today
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