Vehicles in Silchar – Guwahati Road vandalised; Curfew imposed in Meghalaya, mobile internet banned

Several vehicles plying on the Guwahati – Silchar road via Shillong got vandalised in Meghalaya after miscreants resorted to stone-pelting and arson. The display of lawlessness continued as the miscreants hijacked a Police vehicle after attacking the men in uniform. The miscreants sat on the Police vehicle and drove it from Mawkynroh Police Outpost to Jaiaw a locality in Shillong city. They brandished weapons and raised various slogans before burning the government vehicle to ashes.

Many netizens uploaded the video featuring the miscreants hurling black flags. Few even went on to say the visuals resemble the Taliban taking over law and order in Afganistan. The incident occurring on Independence day has also irked the netizens igniting strong reactions on social media platforms.

Department of Home, Government of Meghalaya took cognizance of the chain of events and took immediate steps to bring the situation under control. “Reports have been received from Police Headquarters, Meghalaya, Shillong, that incidents of vandalism and arson which have a potential to disturb public peace and tranquillity and cause a threat to public safety, have occurred in East Khasi Hills District and adjoining Districts which may likely create a severe breakdown of law and order,” the government order.

Adding “Messaging system like SMS and Whatsapp and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are likely to be used for transmission of information through pictures, videos and text and have the potential to cause the serious breakdown of Law & Order. Therefore to prevent the misuse of the above-mentioned media to disturb peace and tranquillity in the State of Meghalaya and for maintaining law and order. I, C.V.D. Diengdoh, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Home (Police) Department do hereby promulgate this notification under the provision of Section 5 (ii) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, read with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 to prohibit the following types of media for the next 48 (Forty-eight) hours beginning from 06:00 pm on 15th August, 2021 in the 4 (Four) districts of Meghalaya namely, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi Districts.”

 

 

The notification added that violation of this promulgation will be punishable under section 188 IPC and also under the relevant provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 too.

In addition to the government of Meghalaya order, Isawanda Laloo, IAS, District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong in the exercise of the powers conferred upon her under section 144 Cr. P.C. imposed a total curfew from 8:00 P.M. of 15 August 2021 in Shillong

AREAS TO BE UNDER CURFEW:

1. Whole of Municipal Area

2. Whole of Cantonment Area

3. All areas under Mawlai Block including Census Towns

4. All areas under Mawpat Block including Census Towns

5. Areas Under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi Bridge upto 7″ Mile, Upper Shillong.

6. Madaniting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongksch, Umlyngka, Lawsohtum, Mawdiangdiang, Diengiong Siejiong

During the period of curfew, the following will be prohibited:

1. Any public movement.

2. Offices, shops and establishments, and all educational institutions will remain closed.

3. No kind of gathering, public meeting or rally may be held.

The order mentioned that exemptions only for medical emergencies, Covid-19 and hospital duty are applicable as per existing onders.