After a four-hour relaxation, curfew was re-imposed on February 29 in areas under two police stations in Shillong while internet services were suspended in six of the 11 districts of Meghalaya following the death of a Khasi Students Union (KSU) activist on February 28, officials said.
“Today (February 29) the curfew was re-imposed in Shillong and outskirts of the capital city under two police station areas – under Lumdiengjri and Sadar (under East Khasi Hills district). The prohibitory orders would continue until further orders,” East Khasi Hills district Deputy Commissioner M War Nongbri said.
He said that the curfew was clamped as a precautionary measure, though there is no fresh incident of violence from any part of the capital city and its outskirts on February 29.
A police official in Shillong said that in a clash on February 28 between KSU activists and non-tribals in Ichamati area (under East Khasi Hills District), a KSU activist Lurshai Hynniewta sustained critical injuries. Subsequently, he succumbed to his injuries at a health centre in Sohra (Cherrapunjee).
According to the police, the clashes between the KSU members and non-tribals broke out during an anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-ILP (Inner Line Permit) meeting held in Ichamati area of the district on February 28.
Internet services were suspended in six of the state’s 11 districts. These are East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Troopers of the central para-military forces have been deployed in the tension ridden areas to maintain law and order.
