By IANS,
Shillong: More than 100 people were arrested Monday for rioting and arson in Meghalaya’s violence-hit East Garo Hills district following ethnic clashes between Garo and Rabha tribes, while two more people were killed, taking the toll to 10, police said.
There was no relaxation of the curfew re-imposed in the Resubelpara sub-division Sunday night.
“One hundred and three people were arrested, while 25 cases have been registered on charges for rioting and arsons,” Meghalaya Director General of Police S.B. Kakati told IANS.
At least 10 people were killed and as many as 300 houses on both sides of the riot-hit areas of Assam’s Goalpara and Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district were burnt down. Nearly 50,000 people have been displaced in ethnic clashes between Garos and Rabhas that entered the 10th day.
“Eight thousand and eighteen people are being sheltered in 18 relief camps in Garo Hills. Twenty-five villages have been affected due to ethnic clashes between Garo and Rabha tribes,” Kakati said.
He said four Rabha Security Force (RSF) rebels, arrested Sunday night from the riot-hit areas in Meghalaya’s Balmuri village, are being interrogated.
Meanwhile, the chief secretaries and directors general of police of Meghalaya and Assam would meet Tuesday at Assam’s capital Dispur to chalk out a joint patrolling mechanism in the violence-hit districts.
The meeting will also be attended by union home ministry joint secretary (Northeast) Shambu Singh.
“We will be meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) with our Assam counterparts in the presence of home ministry officials to chalk out joint patrolling and strategies to put an end to the ethnic violence between Rabha and Garo tribes,” Kakati said.
Meanwhile, a joint police control room has been set up at Mendipathar to enhance security measures as fear psychosis has gripped the people in the area.
“As of today, the situation is under control, but normalcy has not yet come back due to excessive rumours creating confusion and panic amongst the people,” the Meghalaya police chief said.
In all, 14 companies of security forces are deployed in the affected area. The forces are providing round the clock security in the strife-torn area and in the relief camps.