Curfew in parts of Meghalaya’s capital Shillong and East Khasi Hills district area was extended "until further orders" on Sunday after the death of a 37-year-old man, taking the toll in clashes between tribal and non-tribal people to three.
"Curfew extended in parts of Shillong until further orders as there is every likelihood of serious breach of peace and tranquility which may lead to loss of life and property," East Khasi Hills District Magistrate M. War Nongbri said.
The district police said three unidentified men attacked Uphas Uddin in his house at Pyrken village at about 2:45 a.m. on Sunday. A local health centre declared him brought dead.
He was the third victim of the clashes that erupted at Ichamati near the Bangladesh border on February 28 following a meeting between the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) and non-tribal people in the area. The meeting was organised to gather support against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and for the introduction of the inner-line permit (ILP).
Tribal organisations in Meghalaya have been demanding the ILP system, already applicable in four other north-eastern states, for restricting the entry of outsiders into the State.
The February 28 clash claimed the life of a KSU member identified as 35-year-old Lurshai Hynniewta. A 31-year-old vegetable vendor, identified as Rupchand Dewan of Assam's Barpeta district, was stabbed to death in Shilling's Iewduh (Barabazar) area in a retaliatory attack on February 29.
At least 15 people have been injured in the clashes since February 28, some undergoing treatment in hospitals. Petrol bombs were also thrown in certain localities. However, no damage of property was reported.
Meghalaya Director General of Police R. Chandranathan on Sunday called upon citizens, social and religious organisations, and tribal bodies to "unite in fighting the menace of rumours and hate-mongering regarding the incidents that happened in the State, as they may lead to misinformation about the real facts of the situation".
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