GUWAHATI: A convoy of the Border Security Force (BSF) was attacked in Meghalaya's Garo Hills region on the evening of Wednesday, March 11, leaving several personnel injured and a security vehicle torched, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions linked to the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
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Speaking to GPlus, an official said that the convoy was returning from Tura after attending an official meeting. A Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the BSF was among those travelling in the convoy when a group of people allegedly launched an attack during the journey.
The DIG and other personnel sustained minor injuries in the assault. During the chaos, one of the BSF vehicles that was left behind was set ablaze by the attackers, officials said.
The attack comes against the backdrop of escalating unrest in the Garo Hills region following clashes related to the filing of nomination papers for the district council elections. Earlier this week, violence between tribal and non-tribal groups reportedly resulted in two deaths.
Amid the worsening law and order situation, authorities have imposed curfew in the districts of West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills. Mobile internet services have also been suspended across five districts in the region as a precautionary measure.
In response to the violence, the Meghalaya government has postponed the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections, which were originally scheduled to be held on April 10.
The BSF guards India’s 4,096-km-long border with Bangladesh, with about 443 km of the frontier passing through Meghalaya. Security forces remain on alert in the region following the latest attack.