Tura: Tension gripped Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district on Monday after former MLA SG Esmatur Mominin and his supporters were allegedly attacked while attempting to file nominations for the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, triggering unrest and prompting authorities to impose curfew and suspend internet services in the district.
Mominin arrived at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tura on Monday morning to file his nomination despite a recent order of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council mandating that candidates possess a Scheduled Tribe certificate to contest the elections.
According to a Shillong Times report, Mominin and his supporters were assaulted by unidentified miscreants near the DC's office.
A separate group of his supporters was also reportedly attacked near Hawakhana later in the day. While officials have not confirmed the extent of injuries, local sources indicated that one person was seriously injured in the clashes.
Following the attack and rising tensions, Mominin was forced to withdraw his attempt to file the nomination and is reportedly considering moving the Meghalaya High Court seeking legal remedy.
The incident intensified tensions in Tura, with a shutdown reportedly called by an unidentified group. Volunteers were also seen gathering outside the DC's office to prevent non-tribal candidates from participating in the MDC elections, an issue that has been a source of political and social friction in the region for several months.
In a suspected retaliatory incident later in the day, the office of the Garo Students' Union in Chibinang was set on fire by unidentified miscreants.
Following the unrest, the district administration imposed restrictions to prevent further escalation. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita imposing curfew from 6 pm to 6 am in sensitive pockets of the district.
The curfew covers areas under the Phulbari, Rajabala, Hallidayganj and Tikrikilla police stations in the plain belt of West Garo Hills. The order prohibits unauthorised processions, unlawful assemblies of five or more persons and the carrying of weapons such as sticks, stones or other lethal objects.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that recent incidents had created apprehension of communal tension and a possible breach of peace between different community groups, particularly in areas with mixed populations.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has also ordered a 48-hour suspension of internet services across West Garo Hills district beginning midnight on March 10.
The order was issued by Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya FR Kharkongor under Section 5(ii) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, read with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
Authorities cited reports from the Deputy Commissioner and district police regarding physical assaults, large gatherings and the spread of misinformation through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Officials said the internet suspension has been imposed to prevent the misuse of social media that could further incite unrest or disturb public order while the administration continues mediation efforts to restore peace in the district.