Shillong, March 10 Two people were killed in police firing on Tuesday during clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups over the nomination process for local council elections in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, prompting the government to impose curfew and call in the Army, officials said.
Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma said the incident took place in the Chibinang area during the nomination process for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
"The two people who died 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," he said.
Sangma said the situation in the area is currently under control, and the district administration has imposed curfew across the district to prevent further escalation.
The Army was later deployed to restore peace in the area.
"Army columns were deployed in West Garo Hills at the request of the civil administration and conducting a flag march," defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahender Rawat told