Shillong violence clash: Curfew relaxed, 500 people in Army shelter

Curfew in parts of strife-torn Shillong has been relaxed for seven hours on Sunday after night-long violence where a mob burnt a shop, a house and damaged at least five vehicles besides injuring a senior police officer. The relaxation made people in 14 localities under curfew scramble for essentials and provided a window for stranded tourists to exit the Meghalaya capital.

Meanwhile, mobile internet and SMS services have been indefinitely suspended in Shillong to avoid the spread of rumours.

On Thursday night, a violent clash broke out between the police and a mob after a bus conductor was allegedly assaulted by a group of people from the Them Iew Mawlong area.

This led to the government imposing a curfew in areas under Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House from 4 am on Friday. However, agitators violated the curfew and continued to clash with police and indulged in stone pelting.

The situation had become so grave that the Army had to conduct flag marches, and authorities had to suspend Internet services in the city to prevent the hate messages from spreading.

At least 10 people have been injured and at least eight arrested, triggering demands that the government take action against alleged illegal settlers in the area.

(with inputs)