Army Deployed as Meghalaya Violence Erupts Ahead of GHADC Polls, Two Lives Lost

The army has been sent to West Garo Hills in Meghalaya. Mobile internet is down. A curfew is in place. This follows violent clashes that killed two people. The violence happened before the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.

Tensions flared between supporters of the Garo community and non-tribal candidates. These candidates want to run in the GHADC elections on April 10. Two people died overnight.

GHADC Election Tensions Rise

The GHADC elections are a key event. The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) governs the council. New rules for nominations caused problems. Candidates must now show a valid Scheduled Tribe certificate. This is different from the past. Non-tribals could previously run. This change angered some groups.

Attack Fuels Further Violence

Former MLA S.G. Esmatur Mominin tried to file his nomination. He is a Bengali-speaking Muslim. He was allegedly attacked at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Tura. Police rescued Mominin and his colleague. The attack happened in Chibinang. People from the hills and plains faced off all night.

Arson and Damage Reported

Fires broke out in several places. This included Tura, the district capital. Cars were burned. Stones were thrown at buildings. Firefighters quickly put out the flames. No one was hurt in Tura.

Deaths Heighten Unrest

Initial reports said two youths died. This happened when security forces fired to stop a violent mob. The identities of the deceased are not yet confirmed. The administration said the cause of death is not yet known. Some groups oppose non-tribal candidates in the GHADC elections. They are believed to have triggered the unrest.