SHILLONG: After five days of violence and stone pelting, which threw the city out of gear, the situation has improved to a great extent with no major reports of any fresh clash or violence on Tuesday.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar said everything is normal and lauded the role of headmen and women’s groups in Mawkhar and Jaiaw areas who came out and asked the agitators to move out.
East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak also said the situation is much better than Monday and the day before.
He said police will be vigilant and would continue to monitor the situation.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said overall situation is normal but added that the vigil by the district administration and police will continue. “The general mood of the people is very positive,” he added.
Happy with the improvement in law and order, the district magistrate also reduced the curfew timing on Wednesday.
An official statement said in Shillong agglomeration, curfew will be from 6 pm to 5 am from Wednesday. Earlier, the timing was from 4 pm.
The district magistrate also relaxed curfew from 7 am to 12 noon in areas under Lumdiengjri police station, that is Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Umsohsun, Riatsamthiah, Wahingdoh, Mission Compound, Mawprem, Lumdiengjri, Lamavilla, Qualapatty, Wahthapbru, Sunny Hill, Cantonment, Mawlong Haat, including Cantonment Beat House areas (excluding localities beyond Umshyrpi bridge).
Curfew will be imposed from 12 noon until further orders. On Tuesday, as an aid to civil authorities, on the requisition of state administration, the Army also carried out another flag march at 4.30 pm in the disturbed areas of the city under the command and control of Lt General DS Ahuja, GOC 101 Area.
Two columns of fully armed troops in vehicles were deployed in flag march, which helped to bring the situation under control and more flag marches may be planned if need arises, a statement said.
Following the five days of violence, the economic activity in different parts of the city had come to a halt as the main commercial area, Iewduh, did not function normally thereby affecting the livelihood of thousands of people.
On Tuesday, the vendors were seen selling vegetables at the entrance of Iewduh and only a few shops remained open inside the market.
