Shillong, Mar 12: Signs of normalcy began slowly to emerge in Tura following two days of violent unrest, with residents taking matters into their own hands to clean up the streets.
The ongoing curfew was relaxed for two hours in the afternoon in the whole of West Garo Hills to allow the public to purchase essential medicines and food, etc. Although the curfew will remain in place until 6am on March 14, the relaxation window will be larger on Friday – from 9am to 1pm.
A control room has also been set up in the office premises of the District Disaster Management authority to ensure effective supervision and close monitoring of the situation.
Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal said the public having enquiries can contact 6009926806 / 1077.
In East Garo Hills curfew was relaxed for five hours from 8 am to 1 pm. District Magistrate RP Marak has also ordered closure of the Williamnagar market, shifting of vegetable vendors to the Parade Ground until further notice and grocery stores and other essential service providers in other parts of the town to continue to operate, except those located within the Williamnagar Main Bazaar area.
“It has been brought to the notice that the congregation of vendors and members of the public at the Williamnagar Main Bazaar may give rise to situations prejudicial to the maintenance of public order and safety,” the order under section 163 BNSS said.
Mobile internet services remain suspended across the entire Garo Hills Division as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours and maintain public order.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma visited affected areas, directing the district administration to provide food assistance to communities hit by the disturbances.
He was informed of rice and essential commodity shortages in 17 communities around Araimile locality.
Sangma instructed the Deputy Commissioner to coordinate with local development committees to prepare a list of affected households for swift relief distribution.
The CM also inspected damaged shops and structures, assuring residents of government support.
He also held a meeting with party leaders and workers to discuss ways to promote peace and rebuild trust among communities in the Garo Hills region following the recent violence.
“We held a meeting with our party leaders and workers to discuss how the party members can work together to ensure peace and rebuild trust among different communities across Garo Hills,” Sangma wrote on X.
He said the meeting began and concluded with prayers seeking peace and unity.
“We started and ended the meeting with a prayer for peace and unity. May God guide and see us through this difficult situation,” the CM added.
Community-led clean-up drives continued across Tura, with youth groups and organisations working together to restore surroundings.
Later, thousands gathered for a mass interfaith prayer at Araimile for peace, unity and restoration of normalcy in the region.
Violence erupted in Tura during protests linked to the elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), with demonstrators opposing the participation of non-Garo communities in the filing of nominations for the polls.
Two persons were killed and several others injured during clashes in Chibinang area.
The unrest led to incidents of arson and damage to property in parts of the Garo Hills region, prompting authorities to deploy 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.
The unrest prompted the government to postpone the elections, which were slated for April 10.
