Meghalaya Chief Minister Reports Gradual Return to Normalcy in Restive Garo Hills Region
Normalcy is steadily returning to the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, with a significant decline in violent incidents reported over recent days. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma made this announcement on Thursday, emphasizing that the government maintains close surveillance to prevent any fresh breakdown of law and order in the area.
Government Lifts Internet Ban After Careful Assessment of Situation
Following a meeting with Governor CH Vijayashankar, Chief Minister Sangma informed reporters that only "some sporadic incidents" had been reported from West Garo Hills recently. He stated that normalcy has returned to a large extent, allowing residents to resume their daily lives. "To a large extent, after assessing the situation, the internet ban has been lifted. But we are carefully monitoring the situation... we are keeping a close watch to ensure normalcy," Sangma explained.
Violent Protests Over GHADC Elections Led to Recent Unrest
Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong, Sangma briefed the governor on the situation in Garo Hills following violent protests. The unrest stemmed from controversies surrounding the participation of non-tribals in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. In response to the disturbances, the government has postponed the GHADC polls indefinitely.
"For most of the last two weeks, I was in Garo Hills... all this while, we were able to communicate with the governor on the phone and therefore, I felt it appropriate that I must come and brief him about the current prevailing situation, especially in Garo Hills and also the different incidents that led to the recent law and order situation," Sangma stated. He added that the governor is now "much more aware about what happened" following their comprehensive discussion.
Police Handling Arrests Independently Without Political Interference
Regarding arrests made in connection with the violence in West Garo Hills, the chief minister clarified that the matter is being handled entirely by the police department. "We have been very clear on this that it is purely police department's responsibility and based on whatever evidence and whatever rules that are there, police will take action... I am not aware of how many arrests have been made, I am not aware of who all have been arrested as it is purely a police matter and police is taking steps as per law and as per evidence," he emphasized.
This approach underscores the government's commitment to allowing law enforcement agencies to operate independently without political interference, ensuring that legal procedures are followed meticulously in addressing the recent disturbances.
