TURA, MEGHALAYA — Authorities in the East and West Garo Hills districts granted a temporary reprieve from a total curfew on Thursday, March 12, 2026, allowing residents a narrow window to stock up on essential supplies. The relaxation follows a period of intense volatility triggered by protests surrounding the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, which have left at least two people dead and several others injured.
In East Garo Hills, the curfew was lifted for five hours beginning at 8 a.m., while residents in the harder-hit West Garo Hills were permitted to venture out for just two hours in the afternoon. The district administrations invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) earlier this week after demonstrations against the participation of non-Garo communities in the electoral process escalated into violent clashes. The situation reached a breaking point on Tuesday in the Chibinang area, where police opened fire to disperse an aggressive mob, resulting in two fatalities.
Military Deployment and Damage Assessment
To prevent further bloodshed, a massive security apparatus has been moved into the region. Five columns of the Indian Army have been deployed, with three positioned in Tura and two in Chibinang to bolster local law enforcement and the Rapid Action Force (RAF). The unrest has left a visible scar on the local infrastructure, with numerous reports of arson, destroyed market sheds, and damaged private property.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma arrived in Tura on Thursday to personally oversee the security measures and coordinate with senior military officials. During his visit, Sangma inspected several sites targeted by vandals, including the local office of the National People’s Party (NPP), which was partially scorched during the riots. In a video statement addressed to the public, the Chief Minister condemned the vandalism as “unfortunate” and vowed that the perpetrators would face the full weight of the law. He maintained that while buildings could be damaged, the spirit of his political organisation remains intact.
Elections Postponed Amid Communication Blackout
In a bid to de-escalate tensions, the state government officially announced the postponement of the GHADC polls, which were originally slated for April 10. The move aims to provide a cooling-off period for the community and allow for a more peaceful environment for democratic participation later in the year.
Furthermore, a total suspension of mobile internet services remains in effect across five districts of the Garo Hills. Officials stated that the blackout is a necessary precaution to stop the spread of misinformation and inflammatory rumours that could reignite the violence. While the atmosphere in Tura remains tense, the heavy presence of security forces has successfully prevented any fresh incidents of arson since Wednesday evening. Residents are being urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with the authorities as the government works toward a permanent restoration of peace.
