1 more killed in Meghalaya violence, toll climbs to 3
Curfew in capital Shillong and adjoining areas extended till Monday morning
GUWAHATI/SHILLONG: A 37-year-old man was killed by three unidentified persons at his residence in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district early on Sunday, taking the death toll to three in the ongoing violence against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the demand for introduction of the inner line permit (ILP).
According to the police, the deceased, Uphas Uddin, was a resident of Pyrken village. “He was rushed to Khamati civil health centre where the doctors declared him dead,” the police said. So far, no one has been arrested in connection with Uddin’s killing.
The violence in Shillong and adjoining areas started on Friday, when a local taxi driver, Lurshai Hynniewta (35), was killed after clashes broke out between members of Khasi Students’ Union and non-tribals in Ichamati area of East Khasi Hills district during an anti-CAA rally and also a renewed call to introduce the ILP.
On Saturday, another person was killed and nine were injured, when a group of unidentified people stabbed them in Shillong’s busy Bara Bazaar area.
Most parts of Meghalaya are exempted from the purview of the CAA, as almost the entire state comes under the provision of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Local tribal groups have been demanding the imposition of the ILP, which regulates the entry of outsiders to the tribal-dominated state.
Meanwhile, curfew in Shillong and adjoining areas has been extended from 9 pm Sunday till 6 am on Monday “due to apprehension of serious deterioration of law and order”.
“There is a likelihood of a serious breakdown of peace and tranquillity, which may lead to loss of life and property...,” district magistrate Matsiewdor W Nongbri said in an order. Mobile internet and messaging services have also been temporarily suspended in six districts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
Despite the curfew, officials added, stray incidents of violence continued for the third consecutive day in the area.
Police said, around 3:15 am on Sunday, “some non-tribal carpenters who were staying at Umtrew in Ri Bhoi district ran away from their homes into the adjoining forest after they saw some local boys approaching in two buses. They have returned to their homes.”
In another incident early on Sunday, Rajua Karim (31), who hails from Phulbari in West Garo Hills, was assaulted by some unidentified people at Mawthabah in Mawsynram. “Karim, an employee of Meghalaya Basin Development Agency, has been living in Sawlad of Madanrting for the past six years. He is undergoing treatment,” the police said.
Late on Saturday, a petrol bomb was hurled at the residential compound of Lakshmi Bareh at Pynthorbah in Shillong. Police said the incident has not led to any casualty or property damage. “We request citizens to exercise restraint and not to believe unverified information,” the police added.
On Saturday, chief minister Conrad Sangma said eight people have been arrested in connection with the killing in Ichamati and announced an ex-gratia of ~2 lakh.
A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered in the case.
IN ANOTHER INCIDENT EARLY ON SUNDAY, RAJUA KARIM (31), WHO HAILS FROM PHULBARI IN WEST GARO HILLS, WAS ASSAULTED BY SOME UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE AT MAWTHABAH IN MAWSYNRAM.