Authorities have extended night-time curfews in Shillong till Monday after a fresh spate of violence, IANS reported. On Sunday, mobs attacked security forces at multiple locations.
“Curfew has been imposed from 4 pm on Monday to 5 am on Tuesday in Shillong as there is likelihood that breach of peace may spread to other parts of the city,” said East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar. The situation is very tense in some areas, he said, adding that the suspension of mobile internet services will continue.
The curfew was relaxed between 8 am and 3 pm on Sunday. But at night, around 400 protestors threw stones at a camp of the Central Reserve Police Force near the Mowlai bridge, ANI reported.
“We request public not to take law in their hand and resolve the issue with talks,” CRPF Inspector-general Prakash D told ANI.
The Centre on Monday approved deploying six additional companies of paramilitary forces in Shillong, reported PTI. Security will be beefed up in 14 localities that were mainly affected by the clashes, Director General of Police SB Singh said. “The home ministry has sanctioned the deployment of four additional CRPF and two ITBP companies,” he said. “The state’s SF-10 commandoes along with a CRPF company and the district forces are already monitoring the situation on the ground.”
Clashes reportedly broke out between two groups following an argument between a woman and a bus conductor on Thursday night. The local Khasi community then started demanding that the government act against “illegal settlers”. Miscreants also tried to attack residents at Punjabi Lane.
The city administration imposed a curfew for the second consecutive night on Saturday, and suspended internet services till Sunday afternoon. The Army held flag marches in disturbed areas and rescued around 500 people after 10 people were injured in violence and arson the previous night.
On Sunday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma alleged that unidentified groups had sponsored the violence in the city.
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