Our Bureau
TURA/SHILLONG, March 11: Security forces, including the Army, had to resort to tear gas and then later, gunfire in an effort to control a mob of protestors that moved through a part of the town of Tura amidst the ongoing strife taking place over the upcoming GHADC elections.
The third day of strife began on Wednesday morning with information of the presence of the armed forces, which moved through the morning through the town during their flag march to ensure their presence. Security was tight through most of the day in the town of Tura preventing the gathering of people which ensured a day of relative peace in Tura.
However, things changed in the after with a crowd slowly gathering in the town near Hawakhana despite an ongoing curfew.
After the crowd build up near Hawakhana, the office of the NPP which is near the tri-junction, was set ablaze by the protestors along with many shops along the route before the protestors moved towards Araimile – with rumours pointing to them moving towards the residence of Chief Minister’s house.
Security forces however attempted to disperse the gathering crowd which later turned violent leading to initial blank firing taking place to disperse the crowd. With the crowd getting unruly and unwilling to budge, the armed forces restored to live fire leading to at least four persons being injured.
Rumours began circulating that four persons were killed in the gunfire which fuelled further protests and even till the filing of this report a sizeable gathering was seen near the Araimile Junction.
It was later confirmed from reliable sources that no person had been killed from the firing though there were a few injuries.
Additionally, a mob allegedly looted two liquor outlets owned by NPP MLA Sanjay Sangma in Tura on Wednesday.
According to reports, it is learnt that liquor worth lakhs were looted in the incident.
Earlier in the day, the town of Williamnagar in East Garo Hills was the point of focus after there were reports of a huge mob gathering and vandalising shops in the main market. This followed incidents on Tuesday where a landmark building along with shops from the main town being set ablaze or looted by miscreants.
The situation was quickly sorted out after security forces moved in to quell the growing tension and the situation returned to normal.
Elsewhere in Chibinang under Phulbari constituency in WGH, one of the major focal points to the current unrest, no new incidents were reported. There is currently a very heavy security presence in the area which has gone a long way into ensuring clashes or violence does not occur.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of South West Garo Hills has issued an order prohibiting the sale of petrol and diesel in jerry cans, bottles, and other containers with immediate effect in the district.
The order was issued by District Magistrate Anendya Raajsshre in view of the escalating tension reported in certain parts of West Garo Hills.
However, the issuance of diesel for mobile towers and road construction companies will continue as per the standing order of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply).
