Shillong, March 10 A curfew was imposed and mobile internet services were suspended in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya following violence related to the nomination process for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, officials said on Tuesday.
The curfew was imposed on March 10 and will remain in effect for 24 hours, while mobile internet services will remain suspended for 48 hours, they said.
The curfew was imposed in the wake of miscreants vandalizing several shops in the Chibinang area of the district on Monday evening.
District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal said the decision was taken following information indicating a likelihood of disturbance to public peace and tranquility, which could endanger human life and property in the district.
The order prohibits the movement of any person outside their residence within the limits of the West Garo Hills district during the curfew period.
Authorities said the restrictions were necessary and proportionate in view of the prevailing law and order situation and were aimed at preventing any disturbance of public tranquility.
The state government ordered a 48-hour suspension of mobile internet services in the West Garo Hills district from March 10 as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumors and maintain public order, an official said.
Senior administrative and police officials, including magistrates, have been camping in the affected areas and closely monitoring the situation.
Security forces have been deployed in the area, with police and the CRPF maintaining strict vigil.
The vandalism of shops took place amid controversy over a recent notification issued by the GHADC requiring candidates to produce valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates while filing nomination papers for the council elections scheduled to be held on April 10.
The Commissioner and Secretary in charge of Home and District Council Affairs, Cyril Diengdoh, said the government has instructed all deputy commissioners, including that of West Garo Hills, to convene peace committee meetings with community leaders and appeal for calm.
"We have told the DC to call all the communities and hold peace committee meetings and appeal for peace," Diengdoh told