Curfew in volatile areas off for 11 hrs

SHILLONG: The district administration has relaxed curfew in volatile areas for 11 hours on Sunday as tension in the city subsides. Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar said on Saturday curfew will be off from 7am to 6pm in areas under Lumdiengjri police station, that is, Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Umsohsun, Riatsamthiah, Wahingdoh, Mission, Mawprem, Lumdiengjri, Lamavilla, Qualapatty, Wahthapbru, Sunny Hill, Cantonment, Mawlong Hat, including Cantonment Beat House areas but excluding localities beyond Umshyrpi bridge. It will be promulgated from 6 pm until further orders. Under Section 144 CrPC, the administration has also imposed night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am in the Shillong agglomeration with effect from Sunday till further orders. The district administration is expecting the situation to be fully normal by next week. Talking to media persons here on Saturday, Dkhar said law and order in the city is coming back to normal and he does not see any problem in the future. However, police will continue its patrolling and paramilitary forces will be stationed in the city, especially in commercial areas. Dkhar said the law and order would be reviewed on Monday and accordingly a decision will be taken whether curfew should be further relaxed or ended completely. When asked how long the central paramilitary forces will stay, Dkhar said it all depends on the situation and the district administration is monitoring it everyday. When asked about rampant rumour mongering leading to panic, he said that the government has taken a call that the restriction on internet will continue for some more days and the matter will be examined again on Monday.