Meghalaya home (police) minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Saturday held a meeting with headmen of Shillong city and representatives of other organizations, and sought their cooperation in maintaining peace.
“As a government, we are very concerned and do not want to take anything for granted. We want this situation to be brought under control,” home minister Rymbui told reporters.
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“We need the cooperation of everybody including headmen, organizations, and citizens to ensure that this kind of situation does not happen,” he said.
The meeting expressed concern over the clash at Ichamati on Friday and assaults by miscreants in Shillong which led to the loss of two lives.
Also read: 10 non-tribals stabbed in Shillong; 8 arrested for Khasi youth’s killing
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On Friday, a clash took place between non-indigenous people and KSU activists at Ichamati leading to the death of one KSU member, Lurshai Hynñiewta of Khliehshnong Sohra.
However, in Shillong, violence took place on Saturday which led to the death of one non-indigenous trader, who was stabbed by miscreants at ïewduh, the main market in Shillong city.
Also read: Miscreants kill Assam trader in Shillong, 7 others injured
Nine others were injured after some of them were stabbed and some were assaulted by miscreants at ïewduh (the main market), and other places of the city.
“We do not want to allow chances and curfew has been imposed in certain parts of the city, and we are taking all necessary measures,” Rymbui said.
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Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the incident at Ichamati.
Rymbui said all people named in the FIR have been arrested by police including one who was identified by the officer-in-charge of the area.
The investigation is going on, and based on the findings, more will be arrested, the home minister said, adding, “If other people are found involved, the law will take its own course”.
Also read: Meghalaya: KSU activist dies in non-tribals’ attack at Shella
A magisterial enquiry, headed by additional district magistrate, M Lakiang, has been constituted and the report will be submitted soon.
During the meeting with headmen, the home minister urged them to work together with the administration to ensure peace is maintained and ensure that the final board examinations are not disrupted.
“The government will do its best to bring back normalcy. The government is not sleeping over the issue but responsive to ensure peace is restored,” Rymbui said.
Meanwhile, the home minister said two companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have arrived and six more will be arrive.
“I respect the concerns of each and every citizen and I assure normalcy will return soon,” Rymbui said.
Whether the final examinations of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) be postponed, Rymbui, who is also in-charge of education, said, “As of now, I do not see it is required (to postpone), and I hope by Monday everything will be alright.”
“That is why we need the cooperation of all. I urge students to be prepared and I wish all students, who are, and who will appear in their examinations to do well,” said Rymbui.
Meanwhile, the district magistrate of East Khasi Hills district under Section 144CrPC has promulgated curfew in Shillong agglomeration and its adjoining areas with effect from 9 pm of Saturday to 8 pm on Sunday.
The areas to be under curfew are the whole of Municipal area, whole of Cantonment area, all areas under Mawlai Block including census town, all areas under Mawpat Block including census town, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge up to 7th Mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun, Mawdiangdiang, Diengïong, and Siejïong.
The district magistrate also informed that the curfew imposed in areas under Lumdiengjri and Sadar police stations and their respective Beat Houses and Outposts with effect from 12 noon on Saturday will continue till 8 am on Sunday.