Meghalaya govt postpones Garo Hills polls after violence

Guwahati: Amidst fresh incidents of arson, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said that the government has decided to postpone the April 10 elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). In a video message, the CM said the decision to defer the polls was taken after reviewing the law and order situation in the Garo Hills and considering the difficulties being faced by the people.

Two persons were killed on Tuesday when security forces opened fire to disperse mobs in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district amid protests over the GHADC election nomination process. The incident occurred in Chibinang where clashes took place between tribal and non-tribal groups.

The district administration of West Garo Hills extended the curfew till midnight of March 13 while the suspension of mobile internet services continues. There were incidents of vandalism and looting reported from different places of Tura on Wednesday. A police official said, "Army has been deployed in sensitive areas. Army also conducted a flag march."