Shillong, March 11 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said his government has decided to postpone the April 10 elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, citing recent violence that claimed two lives in the region.
He said the decision was made after reviewing the current law and order situation in Garo Hills and considering the difficulties faced by the people.
"Dear friends, looking at the current situation in Garo Hills and understanding the difficulties people are facing at the moment, the Government of Meghalaya has decided to postpone the GHADC elections," the chief minister said in a video clip.
The situation in West Garo Hills remained calm but tense on Wednesday, with the district administration extending the curfew until midnight of March 13 and continuing the suspension of mobile internet services, officials said.
Two people were killed in police firing on Tuesday during clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups over the nomination process for the GHADC elections in the Chibinang area.
Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma said the incident occurred during the nomination process for the local council polls.