Shillong, 10 March

Two persons were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse violent mobs in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district early Tuesday amid tensions over the GHADC election nomination process, officials said.

West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma said the incident took place in the Chibinang area, where a clash broke out between tribal and non-tribal groups.

The two people who died were residents of Chibinang. There was a clash between tribals and non-tribals regarding the GHADC elections, and the firing occurred while we were dispersing an unlawful assembly," Sangma said.

He said the situation in the area is currently under control. The district administration has clamped curfew for the entire day on Tuesday across West Garo Hills to prevent further escalation of tension.

"We have sought additional forces, and they are on the way," the SP said.

The incident came hours after the Meghalaya government ordered a 48-hour suspension of mobile internet services in the district from 10 March following reports of mobilisation, assaults, and circulation of misinformation on social media that could threaten law and order during the nomination process. Voice calls and SMS services, however, remain unaffected.

The authorities in West Garo Hills district have also sought Army assistance for a flag march in sensitive areas amid unrest over the participation of non-tribals in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, officials said.

In a communication to the Commanding Officer of 101 Area under the Eastern Command, Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal requested the Army to conduct a flag march in the plain belt areas of the district in view of the prevailing tense law and order situation.

"The presence of the armed forces through a flag march will greatly help in reassuring the public, preventing any further untoward incidents, and restoring confidence among the residents," Aggarwal said in the letter.

He said the request was made as the district has witnessed disturbances to public peace following opposition to the participation of non-tribals in the GHADC elections.

"Recently, there have been communal tensions between two groups and public unrest. In view of this, a flag march by the Army will serve as a visible demonstration of preparedness and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the area," the deputy commissioner said.

A peace committee meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner is scheduled to be held on Tuesday at the Circuit House in Tura with church leaders, NGO representatives, and local development committees in a bid to defuse the tension.

Security has also been reinforced at nomination centres as filing of nomination papers for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections will continue till 16 March.

The unrest began after former legislator from Phulbari, Estamur Momin, was allegedly assaulted by protesters when he arrived at the deputy commissioner's office in Tura on Monday to file his nomination for the GHADC polls scheduled to be held on 10 April.

Protesters were demanding that non-tribals refrain from contesting or participating in the GHADC elections.

On 17 February, the executive committee of the GHADC had passed a resolution making it mandatory for candidates to produce valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates while filing nominations.