Shillong, Mar 17: The West Garo Hills district administration has extended the curfew imposed under Section 163 of the BNSS for another day.
According to an official order issued by the District Magistrate, the curfew has been extended across the entire district as a precautionary measure to prevent violence and to restore normalcy.
The curfew will remain in force from 6am on March 17 until 6am the following day, unless withdrawn earlier by the administration. During this period, residents have been directed to remain indoors, and movement outside homes within the district limits will be prohibited.
However, as was the case on Monday, a 12-hour curfew relaxation will be in place from 6am to 6pm on March 17 to allow normal public movement and essential activities. Educational institutions, government offices, banks and other establishments will be permitted to function during the relaxation period.
Meanwhile, in North Garo Hills, the district administration banned weapons, unlawful assemblies and group movement toward West Garo Hills, where a curfew is in force, citing credible inputs that travel through the district could escalate violence.
The district magistrate prohibited the carrying of lathis, sticks, stones or firearms and forbade assemblies of five or more persons near inter‑district boundaries, highways and routes leading to West Garo Hills. Group movement, processions and rallies intended to proceed there are barred.
SBI ATMs back to dispensing cash in Garo Hills
Most ATMs operated by the State Bank of India (SBI) in Garo Hills have started dispensing cash again, while efforts are underway to restore services at the remaining machines.
According to bank officials, teams began loading sufficient cash into ATMs on Monday and the expectation was that all machines were to become operational by the end of the working day.
The supply of cash to ATMs was disrupted following the violent civil unrest in parts of Garo Hills last week.
