Lapang returns, GSU sponsors indefinite 'night curfew' in Garo Hills

Shillong, Mar 11 (UNI) Garo Students' Union here today called an indefinite 'night curfew' from March 13 in the three districts of Garo Hills in protest against the reinstatement of D D Lapang as the Chief Minister.

The GSU-sponsored 'night curfew' came after the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front, Ri Bhoi Students' Union, Federal Council of Ri War Mihngi, Civil Society Women's Organisation and Synjuk Ki Longkmie yesterday called an indefinite 'night curfew' from March 13 in the state's Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

''Our agitation is to protest the All India Congress Committee(AICC) decision to remove Mr Rymbai from the helm of affairs,'' GSU President Andreas T Sangma told UNI here over the phone from Garo Hills today.

The 'night curfew' will be between 1900 - 0500 hours, Mr Sangma said, adding that this was in protest against the frequent leadership changes by the AICC and reinstatement of Mr Lapang and former Deputy Chief Ministers - Dr Mukul Manda Sangma and Deborah C Marak in the newly-formed ministry, by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Yesterday, Congress leader D D Lapang was sworn-in for the third time as Meghalaya's Chief Minister after his predecessor J D Rymbai quit office.

Mr Rymbai, who was, for the past five days, defiant of the Congress president's directive to step down, yesterday put in his paper, ending five days of high political drama in this political instable state.

''We don't trust Mr Lapang or Dr Mukul Sangma because they have unleashed terror in Garo Hills,'' Mr Sangma said, recalling the twin police firing on student protestors over the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) revamping issue in Garo Hills on September 30, 2005, that left nine dead and over 100 injured.

The GSU president said that the student body would suspend their agitation only after the AICC reinstate Mr JD Rymbai as chief minister.

Meanwhile, Mr Lapang said that they could hold such demonstrations as ''an expression of their democratic rights.'' UNI