Violence erupted in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district early Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals as security forces fired upon crowds protesting the nomination processes for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.

The clashes occurred in the Chibinang area, where tribal and non-tribal communities faced off against each other. West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police, Abraham T Sangma, confirmed that the shootings unfolded while officers attempted to disband an unlawful assembly.

Authorities Implement Curfew

The fatalities have been identified as residents of Chibinang. Sangma stated that the unrest stemmed from tensions surrounding the upcoming GHADC elections. To prevent further disturbances, the local administration enacted a curfew across West Garo Hills starting from midnight on March 10. The Army has been called in to assist in restoring order in the area.

Army Deployment

Defence spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mahender Rawat, confirmed the deployment of Army units in the district to assist civil authorities. He noted that Army personnel were conducting a flag march, though specifics regarding the number of troops involved were not disclosed.

A typical Army column comprises 60 to 80 members. This action followed a request from the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, Vibhor Aggarwal, who wrote to the Army’s Commanding Officer about the need for a visible military presence in sensitive locations.

Background of Unrest

The unrest was ignited on Monday when former Phulbari legislator Estamur Momin was reportedly attacked by protesters while attempting to file his nomination for the GHADC elections slated for April 10. Demonstrators have voiced their opposition to non-tribal participation in the electoral process, leading to heightened tensions in the community.

Communications Restrictions

In the wake of the violence, authorities suspended mobile internet services in West Garo Hills for a period of 48 hours commencing March 10, aiming to curtail the spread of misinformation via social media. However, traditional voice and SMS services continue to function normally. Security measures have also been bolstered at nomination centres as the deadline for filing nomination papers approaches on March 16, with scrutiny scheduled for March 17.

Political Complaints Filed

Amid the ongoing tension, Mukul Sangma, the Leader of the Opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly, lodged a police complaint against Momin. The complaint alleges that Momin made inflammatory remarks following the incident, potentially inciting further unrest.

Sangma characterized the speech as “vitriolic election rhetoric,” arguing that such statements could aggravate the already sensitive situation regarding the participation of non-tribals in the elections. He also refuted claims suggesting he had endorsed such involvement.

Judicial Oversight

Separately, the Meghalaya High Court has acknowledged the state government’s commitment to deploy additional security forces to confirm the safe filing of nominations amid the unrest. Advocate General A Kumar assured the court that measures would be taken to prevent possible disturbances, with extra personnel deployed as necessary.

The matter has been scheduled for further examination on March 17 by a division bench which includes Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh.

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