Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district administration has imposed a night curfew across 37 villages from 6 pm to 6 am between March 9 and March 16, authorities said, as a preventive step to curb rising tensions during the nomination phase for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections scheduled for April 10. The order, issued by District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), is intended to maintain law and order in areas identified as sensitive.
The curfew prohibits unauthorised processions, unlawful assemblies of five or more people, and the carrying of arms or items that could be used as weapons, including sticks, rods and stones. Officials said the restrictions cover 17 villages under Ghallidayganj police station and 20 villages within Phulbari police limits.
Tensions escalated after a former MLA was reportedly attacked by unidentified persons while attempting to file nomination papers, prompting concerns that the nomination process could be disrupted. The district administration warned there could be attempts to obstruct or intimidate vehicles and interfere with normal activities during filings.
The order also flagged the risk that ongoing protests might lead to breaches of the peace, property damage or incidents of violence if preventive measures were not enforced. Authorities expressed particular apprehension about the possibility of communal tension in mixed-population areas of the district’s plain belt.
The unrest follows a GHADC notification making it mandatory for candidates to produce a valid Scheduled Tribe certificate when filing nominations-a move that effectively bars non-tribals from contesting and has sparked protests from several organisations. Officials said the curfew is a precautionary measure to prevent escalation and to help ensure the election process proceeds peacefully.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalayas-west-garo-hills-imposes-night-curfew-in-37-villages-amid-tensions-over-ghadc-nominations-1357238-2026-03-09?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-03-09 22:23:00
