Meghalaya Violence: 2 Killed in 2 Days in Clashes, Government Attempts to Restore Order

Shillong, March 1, 2020:

Amid shocking acts of violence in the normally "cool" Meghalaya, at least 2 people have been reportedly killed and several others injured since Friday after clashes between KSU members and non-tribals during a meeting on the CAA and inner line permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.

Claudia Lyngwa, the SP of East Khasi Hiils, informed Inside Northeast that the situation in the area remains "tense, but under control".

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"Situation is normal in some parts, it has almost returned to normal; however, curfew is still on in Bara Bazar and Police Bazar side...", another source in the Meghalaya Police informed us.

It may be recalled that clashes broke out between members of the Khasi Students' Union and non-tribals in Ichamati area of Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district on February 29. The 2 deceased have been identified as Rupchand Dewan and Lurshai Hynniewta, a 40-year-old father of 6 kids.

It may be mentioned here that two CAPF companies have been deployed at Ichamati and six more will be deployed soon. Meanwhile, the Meghalaya CM has also promised a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh to families of the deceased.

The violence can be traced to a Khasi Students' Union meeting in Ichimati along the Assam-Bangladesh area and has a high number of non-tribal dwellers. The KSU has been agitating against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and are demanding the extension of Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime to Meghalaya to "protect the interests" of the tribal population.

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