Guwahati: The West Garo Hills district administration in Meghalaya has imposed a night curfew in 37 villages identified as sensitive following protests by several non-governmental organisations over the participation of non-tribals in the nomination process for the upcoming autonomous district council elections, officials said on Monday.
The curfew will remain in force from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the nomination period from March 9 to March 16 to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order.
District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal issued the prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The order prohibits unauthorised processions, unlawful assembly of five or more persons, and the carrying of arms or objects that could be used as weapons, including sticks, rods and stones.
The restrictions apply to 37 villages in the district, including 17 villages under the jurisdiction of Ghallidayganj police station and 20 villages under Phulbari police station.
Tensions escalated earlier in the day after a former MLA was reportedly attacked by unidentified miscreants while attempting to file nomination papers for the council elections.
According to the district administration, there are concerns that protests linked to the nomination process could lead to obstruction or intimidation of vehicles and disruption of normal public life.
The order noted that such developments could result in a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity, potentially causing injuries, damage to property, or incidents of rioting.
Authorities also expressed concern about possible communal tensions between different community groups in certain mixed-population areas of the plain belt in West Garo Hills district.
The controversy follows a recent notification issued by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) making it mandatory for candidates to produce a valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate while filing nomination papers for the council elections scheduled on April 10. The move effectively prevents non-tribals from contesting the polls.
Officials said the curfew and other precautionary measures were imposed to prevent escalation of tensions and ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the election process.