Curfew relaxed, Internet off in Shillong

Night Curfew has been relaxed and withdrawn at 8 a.m as Shillong nervously has begun a glorious sunny day as last night curfew imposed in Shillong and other parts of the East Khasi Hills district on Friday after the death of a Khasi Students' Union (KSU) member during clashes with non-tribals at Shella area.

Deputy Commissioner C M War said informed that five companies of Central security forces arriving today to ensure peace and normalcy.

This morning after 8 am some vehicles were seen plying on road. Magisterial probe ordered into yesterday incident. Ban on mobile internet on, a report from Shillong said.

The residentof Cherrapunji‎ identified as Lurshai Hynniewta succumbed to injuries received in aclash after a rally opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and seekingimplementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime in the State.

Following this, the KSU members allegedly burnt a haystack at the edge of the market and attempted to burn a house. The non-tribals also retaliated and pelted stones at a bus carrying KSU members.

Later, as a precautionary measure, the district magistrate of East Khasi Hills has imposed curfew in Shillong and adjoining areas of the district. Also, the internet/data services have also been suspended in the six districts of the eastern range as a precautionary measure.

Lambokstarwell Marngar, president, KSU central body, said"the meeting was regarding our opposition to CAA and to demand implementationof ILP", adding, "the meeting went peacefully, but some non-locals attacked usafter it was over".

In a statement, the Meghalaya Police said: "There was a KSUmeeting in Ichamati today afternoon. At around 3 pm, after the meeting, clashesbroke out between KSU members and local non-tribals of the area. Thereafter,the KSU members burnt a haystack at the edge of the market and attempted toburn a house. The non-tribals retaliated, and stoned a bus carrying KSUmembers."

It added: "Four members of KSU were injured, two were sentto Ichamati CHC and discharged, two were referred to Sohra CHC. One local taxiwhich had gone to collect the KSU members from the Ichamati market after theclashes was damaged."

According to police, the taxi driver, Lurshai Hynniewta, wasinjured in the attack and later succumbed to his injuries.

A notification issued by the office of the DistrictMagistrate, East Khasi Hills District, ordered a curfew in Shillong andadjoining areas from Friday, 10 pm, to Saturday, 8 am, citing "apprehension ofserious deterioration of law and order".

Mobile internet service has been suspended in six districts— West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West KhasiHills and South West Khasi Hills District — for 48 hours. According to anofficial notification, SMSes will be limited to five per day.

"Law and order situation has arisen in East Khasi HillsDistrict, including incidents of vandalism and arson, which have a potential todisturb public peace and tranquility," said the notification.