Curfew lifted from violence-hit areas of Meghalaya

Shillong, Jan 19 (PTI) Curfew was today lifted fromall troubled pockets in East Garo Hills district of Meghalaya,which had been rocked by ethnic violence.

Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said curfew waslifted from all areas in the district.

An official team from East Garo Hills, led by Bakshi,visited Khamari and Bongaon relief camps for Rabha communitypeople in Assam''s Goalpara district.

The delegation, comprising the Superintendent ofPolice and administration and church leaders, interacted withthe camp inmates and elicited positive response from them.

Bakshi said 11 of the total 14 relief camps wereclosed till yesterday and over 4,500 people left in the campsnow.

Joint patrolling was being carried out in thesensitive places along the border areas.

The East Garo administration asked their Goalparacounterparts in Assam to share information regarding theagitational programmes by Rabha groups.

A company of Meghalaya Police has been withdrawn fromEast Garo Hills, while the additional paramilitary troopersdeployed in the violence-hit areas would remain there forsometime.

At least nine people were killed and over 5,000 gotdisplaced in ethnic violence that erupted on January 1 alongthe border areas of the two neighbouring states and went onfor 10 days.