Violence after counting of votes in Meghalaya, curfew in West Jaintia Hills district

Assembly election results have been declared on Thursday in the three northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. In Tripura and Nagaland, the formation of the BJP coalition government is certain. On the other hand, there is a hung assembly in Meghalaya where no party has got a majority. Violent incidents were witnessed in several parts of Meghalaya after the election results. In view of the violence after the counting of votes, the West Jaintia Hills district administration has imposed a curfew in Sahasniang village till further orders.

There has been heavy stone-pelting in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district after the election results. Not only this, many cars have been set ablaze by the miscreants creating a ruckus. The violent mob also caused considerable damage to public property. After violence broke out in areas like Sohra and Mairang, the administration imposed Section 144.

Curfew was imposed by the Additional District Magistrate in Sahsniang after receiving information about the post-counting violence. The DC of West Jaintia Hills expressed concern that if the violence after the Meghalaya elections was not brought under control, it could spread further. With this, huge damage could be done to public property. People could have lost their lives in this violent mob. Therefore, a curfew has been imposed to maintain law and order.

A local news channel in Seohara is reported to have falsely reported that NPP candidate Grace Mary Kharpuri has won from the Shela assembly constituency. But he was in the lead. Later UDP candidate Balajid Sink won this seat. After this, the NPP workers resorted to violence and pelted stones fiercely. Giving details about the incident, District Magistrate BS Sohalia said that a curfew has been imposed under Section 144 CrPC to prevent violence and restore public peace in the area.