Shillong: Curfew in the ethnic violence
hit Resubelpara subdivision of Meghalaya's East Garo Hills
district was on Saturday relaxed for six hours even as a body was
recovered from bordering Assam, taking the toll in the clashes
to eight.
A body was recovered on the Assam side yesterday,
official sources said, adding a number of abandoned houses
were burnt down in the Adolgre area along the border last
night.
"The situation is under control. Curfew has been
relaxed for six hours from 11.00 am. The border areas are,
however, still tense," East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner
Pravin Bakshi said.
He said strict vigil was being maintained by security
forces led by magistrates at all strategic points.
Five more companies of paramilitary forces sanctioned
by the Centre yesterday have begun to arrive in the affected
areas.
The bodies of four persons killed in Meghalaya were
been handed over to Krishnai police station in Assam, while
those killed on the Assam side were handed over to Mendipathar
police station, the sources said.
The economic blockade called against Meghalaya by a
student union was suspended last night.
The Garo Students Union and All Rabha Students Union
(ARSU) are scheduled to hold a peace dialogue during the day.
Nearly 30,000 people have been displaced in the ethnic
clashes that began on January 1, with over 15,000 of them
sheltered in 25 relief camps set up on both sides of the
border.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 08, 2011, 13:42