Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on March 4 said the law and order situation in the state capital is slowly getting back to normal with no untoward incidents reported on March 4 and students sitting for their board examinations without any difficulties.
Night curfew continued to be clamped from 9pm to 6am on March 5 in Shillong agglomeration and adjoining areas to prevent any breach of peace and tranquility.
In an order issued on March 4, East Khasi Hills District Magistrate Matsiewdor War Nongbri re-imposed curfew in the entire area of Police Bazaar and Anjalee Cinema area bordering Iew Mawlong with effect from 4pm on March 4.
Meanwhile, the Class 10 board examinations which began on March 4 went off peacefully. The Class 12 board examination has already begun from March 2. Nongbri said 98.82 per cent attendance of students was recorded at the examination centres.
Although there have been no reports of violence, the main commercial hub of the state capital, Iewduh (Bara Bazaar) remained closed since February 29.
Home Minister Rymbui said the government is concerned that curfew has not been totally lifted from parts of the state capital. “We are very much concerned… It is our duty to see that any inconvenience is short term,” he said about the closure of Iewduh, the main commercial area.
Rymbui said the government is reviewing the situation, but the inputs that are being received suggest that it’s not conducive to lift the curfew from some of the areas, especially around Iewduh.
Nine people were stabbed by masked men and one succumbed to his injuries in Iewduh on February 29, a day after the death of Khasi Student’s Union member Lurshai Hynniewta who was killed in Ichamati village on February 28.
“We are reviewing the situation twice a day and so far it’s found that lifting of the curfew is not conducive,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the government is concerned about the plight of the poor farmers who sell their produce at the market.
On March 4, 110 Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel arrived in Shillong to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.
