Curfew imposed in Greater Shillong, mobile internet banned in 4 Meghalaya districts

Guwahati, August 15: In view of fast worsening law and order situation in Shillong city and adjoining areas, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district as imposed curfew in Shillong Agglomeration with effect from 8 PM today till 5 AM of August 17 or until further order.
The situation in the area has deteriorated in the wake of killing of former general secretary of the banned HNLC, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew in police firing inside his residence in the wee hours of August 13 last.
Areas under curfew:-
Whole municipal area, whole of cantonment area, all areas under Mawlai Block including census towns, all areas under Mawpat Block including census towns, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi Bridge upto 7th Mile in Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun, Mawdiangdiang, Diengiong, Siejiong.
Exemption is granted only for emergencies, Covid 19 and hospital duty as per existing order.
Meghalaya government has also imposed ban on mobile internet/data services for the next 48 hours effective from 6 PM today (August 15) in four districts of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi.
Meanwhile, in utter display of lawlessness, the city on Sunday witnessed from stone pelting to miscreants driving around in snatched police vehicles brandishing weapons in broad daylight and later torching it.
According to eye witnesses, around 1-1:30 pm a group of unidentified miscreants attacked a police vehicle (black SUV) belonging to the Mawkynroh Police Outpost (ML05-F- 3013) near Mawlai bypass.
Being attacked by stones from all sides, the policemen got down and managed to escape for their life. Some of the attackers then took the vehicle along with the arms and drove away.
The vandalised vehicle was driven to Jaiaw with the miscreants brandishing weapons and shouting slogans. It was set ablaze in Jaiaw. The gate of the police outposts was also vandalised.
Stones were also pelted at vehicles plying on the Guwahati- Shillong highway damaging them severely.
Meanwhile, attempts to reach the police on it remained futile with the phone being unanswered.
The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken suo moto cognizance of the death of former general secretary of the banned HNLC, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew on the basis of newspaper reports and sought a report from the state government this regard.
The former HNLC leader was reportedly killed in 'retaliatory fire' by police during a raid conducted at his residence in the wee hours of August 13 last.