Curfew will be lifted for seven hours on Sunday in the Meghalaya capital of Shillong, but restrictions will remain in force, a senior government official said on Saturday.

“Curfew would be lifted from 8 am to 3 pm tomorrow (Sunday) in curfew areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station and Cantonment Beat House areas to allow people to get their essential commodities,” Deputy Commissioner in-charge East Khasi Hills district, Peter S. Dkhar, told IANS.

Suspension of internet on mobile services will, however, continue besides prohibition on sale of petrol, diesel etc to public in loose containers.

An indefinite curfew was clamped in areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station and Cantonment Beat House from 4 am on Friday in view of the breakdown of law and order in Motphran, Mawkhar and adjoining areas following Thursday’s clash.

On Saturday, the Army conducted flag marches in disturbed areas and rescued several people following night-long violence and arson during which a mob torched a shop, a house and damaged at least five vehicles, besides injuring a senior police officer. Superintendent of police (City) Stephan Rynjah sustained injuries after he was hit by a rod. He has been admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital.

The Army requisitioned by the state government to conduct a flag march had rescued about 500 people, including 200 women and children, on Saturday.

Defence spokesperson Ratnakar Singh said the rescued civilians were
given food and water and have been sheltered at the Army cantonment.

The district magistrate has meanwhile appealed to the people not to trust false reports propagated in social media, such as attacks on a gurdwara in the city.

“The situation is still tense but under control. The Army is on standby and will be deployed if the situation warrants. The district administration and the state police are making all efforts to restore peace and normalcy,” said Dhakar.

Police have so far arrested 10 people in connection with the violence that began on Thursday after a skirmish between some women and a driver of Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) bus at Them Meteor, which led to an assault on three persons.

According to reports, the skirmish started following an altercation between a Khasi boy and a Punjabi woman in Them Iew Mawlong, a Punjabi settlement in Shillong with around 350 households.

The parties involved in the skirmish had arrived at a verbal compromise though.

A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to probe the incident as well as to identify the elements spreading rumours and inciting violence.

The violence has triggered demands that the government should take action
against alleged illegal settlers in the area.

Making a fervent appeal to all citizens to maintain peace and extend help to bring normalcy back to the city, a government communique said: “It has been observed that false news and propaganda played a vital role in raising tempers and inciting violence…

“The members of the public are requested to remain calm and not to fall prey to rumours…”

A case has been registered an an arrest made in connection with an incident in which three boys were assaulted.

CM Sangma assures Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh 

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, meanwhile, called up his Punjab counterpart Capt Amarinder Singh to assure him of the safety of people from the northern state and their religious institutions following the communal clashes.

Sangma called up Amarinder on Friday last night to apprise him of the situation in the state following clashes and to allay any apprehensions of people from Punjab being under attack.

Singh expressed concern over the development and hoped the situation would not escalate further.

(With agencies)