Army conducts flag march in Shillong

A day after violent clashes erupted between the police and an unruly mob, army conducted flag march in some parts of the Meghalaya capital as security forces grappled with the tense situation.

The flag march were conducted late on Friday in the Motphran area after the clashes broke out in the city a day earlier.

"The army is on standby and will be deployed if the situation warrants. The situation is still tense but under control," Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district, Peter S. Dkhar told IANS on Saturday.

Late on Friday, district authorities imposed night curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Shillong agglomeration as there was a likelihood of a breach in peace.

"There was no report of any violence from other parts of the city during the night," Dkhar said.

Earlier, Dkhar imposed indefinite curfew in areas under Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House from 4 a.m. on Friday, in view of the breakdown of law and order in Motphran, Mawkhar and adjoining areas following Thursday's clash.

He said there has been no relaxation of curfew in Lumdiengjri and Cantonment Beat House.

The clash erupted after a skirmish between some women and the driver of SPTS bus at Them Metoer which led to the assault of three persons. The parties involved in the skirmish had arrived at a verbal compromise though.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to inquire into the incident as well as to identify the elements spreading rumours and inciting violence.

Making a fervent appeal to all citizens to maintain peace and extend help to bring back normalcy to the city, a government communique said: "It has been observed that false news and propaganda played a vital role in raising tempers and inciting violence...

"The members of the public are requested to remain calm and not to fall prey to rumours..."

A case has been registered an an arrest made in connection with an incident in which three boys were assaulted.

--IANS

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