Curfew extended in Shillong for a few more days: Top official

The Meghalaya government today decided to extend night curfew in the violence-hit Meghalaya capital by "a few more days" and promised to review its decision to suspend Internet services after 24 hours, a top district official said here today.

Curfew would be enforced from 6 pm today to 7 am tomorrow in the 14 "vulnerable" areas and 9 pm to 5 am in other parts of Shillong, he said.

"The government does not want to take chances. The home department today reviewed the situation in the state capital and decided to extend night curfew for a few more days," East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P S Dkhar said.

The internet facilities would also remain suspended for at least another 24 hours, he said.

A home department official said security forces would continue to keep vigil on the city until the situation returns to normal.

At present, 15 companies of central armed police forces, six companies of state's special riot police and two battalions of the state police are deployed across the city to prevent any untoward situation, he added.

Shillong came in the grip of violence on May 31 following clashes between the Khasis and the Sikhs in the city's Punjabi Lane area, also known as the Sweeper Colony. Tension soon spread to other areas of the city, forcing the administration to impose curfew as a security measure.

More than 10 people, including police officers and CRPF personnel, were injured in the violence that continued over the next five days.

District authorities ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, under the supervision of Additional District Magistrate I Majaw.

One person has been arrested so far in connection with the May 31 violence in Punjabi Lane area.

The state government has formed a high-level committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, to find a solution to the issue of relocation of the Sweeper Colony, inhabited by the Punjabis.

Three organizations - the Khasi Students' Union, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front- today met Tynsong to find out about the progress in the committee's decision-making process.

Iterating his stance on the issue, Tynsong told PTI the panel would recommend a "feasible and permanent solution" on the matter, which has been a long-pending issue for the state government.