Shillong: Curfew was imposed in areas falling under Mawkynrew village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district on Monday after six persons were injured following clashes between police and protestors over the construction of a Ramkrishna Mission School.
The incident started when villagers were approaching the under construction Ramkrishna Mission School with their intention to erect a goal post. The Mawkynrew and Mawleiñ villagers claimed that the ground was allotted to the Mawkynrew Sports Club.
However, government officials said that the land was allotted to Ramkrishna Mission School management by the village sordar (village headman) and the management of the school started constructing the school after a no-objection certificate was issued by the former village headman of Mawkynrew.
A police official said four women armed branch constables and two women were injured in the scuffle between the protestors and police personnel. Police also resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the protestors.
“The protestors had tried to attack our police personnel but they exercised restraint. The situation remains tense but under control,” Vivek Syiem, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, said.
In her order, District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills, Rosetta Mary Kurbah said the decision to clamp curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was taken in response to incidents of vandalism and property destruction, including damage at the under-construction Ramakrishna Mission School in Mawkynrew.
“Whereas, information is received that there is a serious deterioration of law & order in areas under Mawkynrew Village under Madanting PS with reports of vandalism destroying property and persons at Ramakrishna Mission School, Mawkynrew. Whereas, these activities are likely to continue with every likelihood of causing serious breach of peace and tranquility and may lead to loss of life and property”, Kurbah stated in the order.
“Residents have been urged to comply with the restrictions to aid in maintaining peace and security in the region,” Kurbah stated.
