Polls scheduled for April 10 deferred as curfew and internet suspension continue in parts of Garo Hills following incidents that left two people dead
Shillong: The Government of Meghalaya has postponed the elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following recent violent incidents in West Garo Hills that claimed two lives.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the decision was taken considering the prevailing law and order situation and the difficulties faced by residents in the region. The elections were earlier scheduled to be held on April 10.
“Keeping in mind the current situation in Garo Hills and understanding the challenges people are facing at this moment, the Meghalaya government has decided to postpone the GHADC elections,” the Chief Minister said.
The Meghalaya CM stated that the government decided to defer the polls after assessing the ground situation in Garo Hills, where tensions had escalated in recent days. Authorities felt that conducting elections under such circumstances could pose challenges for both voters and the administration.
The decision to defer the polls came after two persons were killed in police firing on Tuesday during clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups over the nomination process for the council elections in the Chibinang area of West Garo Hills.
Although the situation appeared relatively calm on Wednesday, the district administration had earlier imposed curfew restrictions and extended them till midnight on March 13. Mobile internet services were also suspended in the affected areas as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain public order.
The curfew across the district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to prevent further disturbances and maintain public order.
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