Curfew imposed in some parts of Shillong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 12, 2019

SHILLONG: The state government was forced to impose a curfew in certain parts of the state capital after vehicles were torched on Thursday afternoon.

It has also decided to temprorarily suspended SMS of all media service providers and mobile internet/data services of all mobile services providers for the next 48 hours in the entire state.

This came after a group of miscreants set on fire at least two vehicles and two scooters at Khyndailad and Jaiaw areas as panic stricken shopkeepers down their shutters causing chaos.

The order issued by deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills District Matsiewdor War Nongbri said the curfew in the following areas of Shillong city will be promulgated with effect from 10 pm tonight and will continue till further orders.

The areas put under curfew are those falling under the jurisdiction of the Lumdiengjri police station and Sadar police station and their respective beat houses and outposts.

The areas under Lumdiengjri PS include the whole of Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Umsohsun, Riatsamthiah, Wahingdoh, Mission, Mawprem, Lumdiengjri, Lamavilla, Qualapaty, Wahthapbru, Sunny Hill, Cantonment, Boucher Road, Mawlong Hat (excluding localities beyond Umshyrpi bridge) while the areas under Sadar PS, would include the whole of Police Bazar, Jail Road, Keating Road & Polo.

The DC said the decision was taken after information was received that there is a serious deterioration of law & order in areas under the two police stations with reports of arsons and vandalism causing destruction to property and targeting vehicles in these locations.

“These activities are likely to continue with every likelihood of causing serious breach of peace and tranquility and may lead to loss of life and property from today and the days to follow,” Nongbri said in the order.

Meanwhile, Additional Secretary in charge Home (police) department CVD Diengdoh has also promulgate a notification to  probihit use of SMS of all media service providers and mobile internet for the next 48 hours beginning from 5 pm on December 12 in the entire state.

“Therefore in order to prevent the misuse of the above mentioned media to disturb peace and tranquility in the whole state of Meghalaya and for maintaining law and order, I hereby promulgate this notification under the provision of Section 5 (2) 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 hours beginning from 5 pm on December 12 in the entire state of Meghalaya,” Diengdoh said in the notification.

He said various inputs have been received that a law and order situation prevails within the state having potential threat to public safety and messaging system like SMS and Whatsapp and social media platform like Facebook, Twitter and You Tube are likely to be used for the transmission of information through pictures, videos and text that have the potential to cause civil unrest and exacerbate the law and order situation.

Violation of this promulgation will be punishable under section 188 IPC and also under the relevant provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, he said.