SHILLONG: Christmas is less than two weeks away but violent protests and curfew have doused the city’s festive spirit.
Most of the localities have remained deserted for the last three days owing to protests against the citizenship act. At least half a dozen vehicles have been torched while several shops have been ransacked. Burning of tyres and stone pelting were also reported forcing the district administration to impose curfew in some parts of the city.
On Saturday night, two private vehicles were torched near Ruprekha School on Lower Jail Road.
Commercial areas like Police Bazar and Iewduh have witnessed little or no business affecting small-time traders, vendors and citizens. Financial transactions have been affected as most of the banks have remained closed.
The situation turned volatile in Police Bazar when a group of miscreants set ablaze a vehicle on Thursday evening. It worsened after protesters clashed with police near Raj Bhavan on Friday. Prices of the essential commodities have also gone up and several people came out in large numbers on Saturday morning for their shopping when the curfew was lifted. Tourists who were stranded in the city for the last two days also left for Guwahati on Saturday morning. Some MTC vehicles going to different parts of the state were also given police security.
