Meghalaya Violence : BSF DIG Injured in Mob Attack in Garo Hills
BSF DIG and personnel sustain minor injuries as unrest linked to GHADC election nominations spreads across Garo Hills; curfew and internet shutdown imposed.
SHILLONG- A vehicle belonging to the convoy of a Border Security Force ( BSF ) officer was set ablaze and several personnel sustained minor injuries after a group of people attacked the convoy amid ongoing unrest in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region, officials said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the BSF, along with other officials, was returning from a meeting in Tura town of West Garo Hills district, near the India–Bangladesh border.
According to officials, the convoy came under attack from a group of individuals during the return journey. While the DIG and other personnel sustained minor injuries, one of the BSF vehicles that was left behind during the incident was set on fire by the attackers.
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The BSF, which guards India’s international borders, is deployed extensively in Meghalaya as 443 kilometres of the 4,096-kilometre India–Bangladesh border passes through the state.
The attack occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Garo Hills region following violence linked to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
Clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups over the filing of nomination papers for the council elections earlier this week resulted in the death of two people on Tuesday, further intensifying the situation.
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In response to the unrest, authorities have suspended mobile internet services in five districts of the Garo Hills region to prevent the spread of misinformation and mobilisation through digital platforms.
The state administration has also imposed curfew in West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills districts to contain further violence and maintain law and order.
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Amid the deteriorating security situation, the Meghalaya government has announced the postponement of the GHADC elections, which were earlier scheduled to be held on April 10.
Security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, and officials said the situation is being closely monitored. Authorities have appealed to residents to maintain peace while investigations into the recent incidents continue.
