Curfew in Shillong extended for more days: Top official

The night curfew in the violence-hit Meghalaya capital Shillong will be extended by "a few more days", a state official said, adding that the state government promised to review its decision to suspend Internet services after 24 hours.

"The government does not want to take chances. The home department today reviewed the situation in the state capital and decided to extend night curfew for a few more days," East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P S Dkhar said.

The curfew would be enforced from 6 pm on Monday to 7 am Tuesday in the 14 "vulnerable" areas and 9 pm to 5 am in other parts of Shillong. The internet facilities would also remain suspended for at least another 24 hours, the official said.

As many as 15 companies of central armed police forces, six companies of state's special riot police and two battalions of the state police are deployed across the city to prevent any untoward situation, he added.

Security forces would continue to keep vigil on the city until the situation returns to normal, a home department official said.

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Shillong was hit by violence on May 31 in the wake of clashes between the Khasis and the Sikhs in the city's Punjabi Lane area, also known as the Sweeper Colony. Over 10 people, including police officers and CRPF personnel, were injured in the violence that continued for five days.

The tension spread to other areas of the city, forcing the administration to impose restrictions as a security measure.

One person has been arrested so far in connection with the violence. The state government has formed a high-level committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, to find a solution to the issue of relocation of the Sweeper Colony, inhabited by the Punjabis.

Three organizations - the Khasi Students' Union, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front- today met Tynsong to find out about the progress in the committee's decision-making process.

Read | Shillong clashes: Curfew lifted for seven hours; people allowed to go out for essentials

Iterating his stance on the issue, Tynsong told PTI the panel would recommend a "feasible and permanent solution" on the matter, which has been a long-pending issue for the state government.