Meghalaya: Section 144 Enforced in West Garo Hills After Attack on CM’s Secretariat

TURA: On Monday, a mob of 200-300 people pelted stones at the chief minister’s Secretariat located at Dakopgre of Tura, West Garo Hills when the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma was in the midst of a meeting with the agitated organisation of West Garo Hills who were on a hunger strike in Meghalaya. These organisations of Tura have demanded a winter capital from the government of Meghalaya.

It is also reported that although the CM is unharmed in the attack of the mob and was stuck inside the office, 5 security personnel were injured. Therefore, the police had to resort to firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd gathered outside the secretariat. After the incident, section 144 was imposed by the District Magistrate of the West Garo Hills and the order is in force until further notice.

Following the 14 days of hunger strike, the protesting civil bodies were Ac’hik Conscious Holistic Integrated Krima (ACHIK) and the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC).

Prior to the mob attack on the office, 3 hours of discussions were already underway to address the protesters' demands, and the majority of civil society groups were not involved in the fasting protest. Despite the tension, Sangma emphasised the importance of dialogue and offered to meet the protesters for discussions on the winter capital demand and job reservation. He requested that the protest be halted before talks can take place in the state capital, Shillong, on August 8 or 9.

The order prohibited the assembly/gathering of 5 or more persons at a place at any time in the public space or in the govt. offices and a complete curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM. It also aims to prevent any obstruction or intimidation to the movement of office vehicles or officers or moving to any area with the intention of carrying out any kind of protest. Carrying/concealing on the person of lathis, sticks, stones, missiles, firearms or any kind of lethal weapons, by any person, group of persons or organisation.

IMFL OFF shops remain closed on 25 and 26 July and fuel depots on 25 July. On 26 and 27 July, fuel depots will open from 9 AM to 2 PM in the presence of security forces. No loose sale or in jerrycans will be allowed and the maximum sale per person will be 10 litres of fuel except for official vehicles. This order however does not apply to armed forces or other security personnel.

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