The District Magistrate of Eastern West Khasi Hills has promulgated night curfew following yesterday’s post-election results violence.
Five government vehicles and one private one were torched as people believed to be Congress Party supporters pelted stones and damaged the Deputy Commissioner’s office building. The body of a man was also found by police during the violence.
Mairang saw a close race between the sitting MLA, Metbah Lyngdoh, and Batskhem Ryntathiang of the Congress, who lost by 155 votes.
According to reports, Congress supporters were not satisfied with the results that declared the UDP candidate as the winner. They accused the Returning Officer of giving out incorrect results. Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the thousands of Congress supporters who tried to storm the DC’s office demanding a recount.
The curfew was promulgated under Section 144 of the CrPC and will run from 6pm to 6am daily until further orders. The assembly of more than five persons in all government office complexes located in Mawsawa, Sangshong, Umwiehsup and Mairang Mission has been prohibited.