Nongpoh(Meghalaya), Mar 6: Amidst an atmosphere of tension in the aftermath of the violence at Ichamati and Iewduh last week, thousands of non-tribals in Meghalaya are anxious to make it back to their home states.
A group of 279 people hailing from Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Baksa and who are working in Meghalaya made it safely back to Assam after being escorted there by Meghalaya Police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel.
It may be noted here that violence had engulfed Ichamati on Feb 28 after a meeting organized by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act and also in demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.
In what is believed to be retaliation to this incident, a number of stabbings ensued in Iewduh, Shillong in which non-tribals were targeted by masked men.
Taking note of the situation, the Assam government got in contact with its counterpart in Meghalaya and facilitated the safe transport of these 279 people
.
As many as five trucks were engaged in the transportation of these people wherein tarpaulin sheets were used to ensure that the occupants were not targeted during the journey.
The Meghalaya police escorted the trucks to Jorabat in Assam and handed over custody of the 279 people to the Assam police.
Assam police took note of these 279 people before they were taken to their respective home towns by bus.
Meanwhile,the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District has under Section 144 CrPC promulgated Curfew in Shillong agglomeration and its adjoining areas with effect from 10:00 P.M. of 6th March, 2020 to 5:00 A.M. of 7th March 2020 and the areas to be under curfew are whole of Municipal and Cantonment areas, all areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks including their census towns, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7th Mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun, Mawdiangdiang, Diengiong and Siejiong.
The Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sohra Civil Sub Division has under Section 144 CrPC relaxed the Curfew in the areas under Sohra Police Station with effect from 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. of 7th March, 2020 and will be extended again from 7:00 P.M. of 7th March, 2020 until further orders.
In Ichamati, curfew has been relaxed with effect from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. of 7th March, 2020 and will be extended again from 11:00 A.M. of 7th March, 2020 until further orders.
All areas under Shella Police Station, Tyllap Police Outpost and Bholaganj Police Check Post, curfew has been relaxed with effect from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. of 7th March, 2020 and will be extended again from 3:00 P.M. of 7th March, 2020 until further orders.
By special arrangement with Highland Post & MIPR
