Mobile internet services were restored in four districts of Meghalaya after they were temporarily suspended in the wake of deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The services were restored at 6 pm on August 18.
Meanwhile, the East Khasi Hills district administration has announced further relaxation of curfew from August 19.
“In view of the several incidents affecting law and order in Shillong city in the last few days, and upon observation of the situation in the last 24 hours, I am satisfied that partial lifting of curfew may be continued on August 19,” district magistrate of East Khasi Hills, Isawanda Laloo, said in her order.
The curfew in East Khasi Hills, which comprises the capital city of Shillong, was relaxed for 12 hours on August 18 – from 5 am to 5 pm.
Curfew was clamped in Shillong and mobile internet services temporarily suspended in the wake of arson and snatching of weapons from the police on August 15 in protest against the killing of surrendered militant leader and former general secretary of Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Cheristarfield Thangkhiew who was killed in police firing during a raid at his residence on August 13.
Announcing the restoration of mobile internet services, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said: “We understand that a lot of students are suffering.”
“It is good that mobile internet services have been restored as it had been adversely affecting people, especially students, who are studying online,” said a parent of a middle-school girl.
In these tough times, even the relaxation of curfew by just one more hour will come as a huge relief for the people, especially for those of us dependent on daily earnings,” said a local taxi driver.
