Day 1 of Garo Hills protest
TURA: Garo Hills police acted fast on complaints about threats by protesters on Thursday, the first day of the non-cooperation demonstration.
Six persons, including a senior leader of the Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC), were taken into custody in West Garo Hills.
GHSMC leader Balkarin Sangma, along with another member Alprin R. Marak, was detained by Tura police for allegedly threatening traders. A vehicle was also seized.
Four other protesters from the GSU were held after they went to Dalu border town and forcibly closed down shops and a petrol station there, said West Garo Hills SP M.G.R Kumar. The youths also tried to intimidate employees at Dalu block office.
The overall response to the bandh call was mixed and the impact was felt the most in Williamnagar, Baghmara, Resubelpara, Bajengdoba and other small towns. Vehicles were off the main highway connecting Paikan and Tura.
Most of the shops in Tura bazaar were open and school buses ferried children. Locality markets at Chandmari, Ringrey, Hawakhana and Araimile felt the impact of the bandh.
Government offices were open but in some districts, employees failed to turn up due to lack of transportation. In Resubelpara in North Garo Hills, the epicentre of the agitating groups, roads wore a deserted look. However, government offices functioned smoothly.
Police recruitment
The agitation is likely to impact the police recruitment process scheduled to take place at Mendipathar College on Friday.
Hundreds of youths from Garo Hills were due to take part in the recruitment drive but many coming from remote areas are unlikely to participate.