Tura, Mar 12 (PTI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and his MLA wife Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma on Thursday visited several localities in violence-hit Tura town to meet residents and review the situation on the ground, officials said.
The visits took place even as curfew remained in force in parts of West Garo Hills district, where the administration has prohibited the assembly of five or more people to prevent further disturbances.
Mobile internet remained shut as a preventive measure to curb the spread of misinformation.
A video released by the CM’s office showed Sangma and his wife interacting with residents in different neighbourhoods of Tura, assuring them that the government was taking all necessary steps to restore normalcy and safeguard lives and property.
The chief minister also met West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner V Aggarwal, who briefed him on incidents of arson and attacks on shops during the unrest, and the prevailing law and order situation in the district.
The CM also met senior officers leading operations of the Army and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Tura and thanked them for assisting the civil administration in restoring peace in the town.
Officials said Sangma had on Wednesday been advised by security agencies to move out of his residence in Tura following inputs about possible attacks, but the chief minister chose to remain in the town.
In a video statement, Sangma said he would stay put in Tura despite the threats, describing himself as a “son of the soil”.
The unrest erupted on Tuesday after two persons were killed in police firing during clashes between groups protesting over issues related to the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
Following the violence, the CM announced the postponement of the Garo Hill Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections scheduled on April 10.
Several civil society organisations in the Garo Hills have been demanding that non-Garo individuals be excluded from participating in the tribal council election process, a demand that has triggered protests in parts of the region.
A former MLA, a non-Garo, was assaulted while trying to file his nomination papers.
Security has been tightened in Tura and other sensitive areas of the entire Garo Hills Division encompassing five districts as authorities continue efforts to bring the situation back to normal. PTI JOP MNB
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