Shillong, Mar 11: The State government has postponed the April 10 elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in view of recent violence that claimed two lives, as mobile internet services were suspended in five districts.
“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 GHADC elections,” the chief minister said in a video message.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the decision was taken following a review meeting and after receiving inputs on the deteriorating law and order situation from various districts in the Garo Hills region.
Tynsong pointed out that violent incidents in the region, such as the burning of the National People’s Party office, are regrettable. He called on citizens and organisations to contribute to restoring peace while increasing security measures.
He said additional security personnel have been deployed after the Ministry of Home Affairs provided extra forces, and expressed hope that the situation would soon return to normal.
On reports of two deaths during the violence, Tynsong said the matter is currently under examination and it appears that the deaths may not have been caused by police firing. A detailed inquiry is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances, he added.
The deputy chief minister further informed that the cabinet will meet on Thursday evening to deliberate on the next course of action.
Home Principal Secretary Fredrick Roy Kharkongor said that mobile internet services were suspended across five districts in western Meghalaya after several incidents of violence linked to the district council elections threatened to disrupt public order.
The suspension covers the districts of West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills, and will remain in force until further orders, he said.
The order was issued after reports from the police and deputy commissioners indicated that incidents over the GHADC polls could disturb public peace and tranquillity in various parts of the Garo Hills region.
Social media platforms “are likely to be used for transmission of information through pictures, videos and text, having the potential to cause serious breakdown of law and order,” Kharkongor said in the order.
“Messaging systems like WhatsApp and social media platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram are likely to be used for transmission of information through pictures, videos and text having the potential to cause serious breakdown of law and order,” Kharkongor said in the order issued under Section 5(ii) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, read with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017.
Curfew has been clamped in West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills.
In South West Garo Hills, the District Magistrate has prohibited the sale of petrol and diesel in jerry cans, bottles and other containers with immediate effect in the district to prevent any disruption of law and order.
However, the issuance of diesel for mobile towers and road construction companies will continue as per the standing order of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), the order said.
Violence first broke out on March 9, after former MLA SG Esmatur Mominin who attempted to file his nomination was assaulted by a protesting crowd.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal said following the incident, a tense standoff continued throughout the night between groups from the hill areas and the plains belt.
To ensure law and order, five columns of the Indian Army, three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), and special forces from Assam have been deployed.
