Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has called for peace in the Garo Hills region as tensions rise, leading to the postponement of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. Sangma emphasized the need for maintaining law and order during this critical period and assured engagement with political parties and stakeholders to address the underlying issues causing unrest. The decision to defer the April 10 GHADC elections was announced by District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong after a review of the escalating law-and-order situation in Garo Hills.
Several incidents of violence, including the burning of the National People’s Party (NPP) office in Tura and damage to a mosque, have been reported in different parts of Garo Hills. Tynsong described these events as regrettable and urged residents, civil society groups, and stakeholders to remain calm. The unrest has also affected areas like Williamnagar, leading the government to delay the polls until normalcy is restored. Additional security forces have been dispatched to the region with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In response to reports of two deaths during the unrest, Tynsong mentioned that the circumstances are under investigation, with initial findings suggesting that the deaths may not be linked to police firing. Four injured individuals are currently receiving medical treatment, and the district administration has been instructed to ensure proper care. The minister also referred to a Meghalaya High Court order pointing out procedural deficiencies in a GHADC notification regarding Scheduled Tribe certificate requirements for candidates, indicating that the cabinet will convene to assess the situation and determine the next steps.
