Shillong, March 13: The administration of West Garo Hills has extended the curfew in Tura and the surrounding areas. However, officials announced on Friday that a six-hour relaxation will be granted on March 14 for residents to purchase essential goods and complete necessary tasks.
According to an order issued by Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Vibhor Agarwal, the curfew imposed under the Indian Penal Code will remain in effect from 6 AM on March 14 until 6 AM on March 15, unless lifted earlier based on the law and order situation.
The administration has allowed a six-hour window from 9 AM to 3 PM on March 14. During this time, residents can step out to buy essential items, access basic services, and attend to other urgent matters.
The curfew was implemented following incidents of violence and disturbances in several areas of the district. Authorities reported that the situation posed a serious threat to lives, public safety, and property, necessitating strict precautionary measures.
The district administration stated that the purpose of extending the curfew is to maintain control over the situation and prevent further escalation, allowing security agencies sufficient time to restore normalcy.
Outside the designated relaxation period, strict restrictions will remain in place, prohibiting residents from leaving their homes. Police and executive magistrates have been instructed to maintain close surveillance to uphold law and order.
Officials warned that violations of the curfew order will be prosecuted under Section 223 of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant laws.
It is noteworthy that the unrest began earlier this week due to protests against the participation of non-tribal individuals in the upcoming elections for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. Some demonstrations escalated into violence, resulting in vandalism and arson in certain areas.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma visited the affected regions and directed officials to provide immediate food assistance to those impacted. He assessed the situation by engaging with local residents and instructed the administration to ensure essential supplies in areas facing shortages due to the unrest.
In light of the violence, the state government has postponed the district council elections in Garo Hills. Chief Minister Sangma stated that the decision to cancel or defer local elections was made considering the current circumstances. The government plans to convene all political parties and stakeholders to discuss the issue and seek a collaborative resolution.
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My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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