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Curfew reimposed in Shillong

By Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG, June 4 - Curfew has been reimposed in the Meghalaya capital with an extended timing after breakdown of law and order situation, while hundreds of people representing hawkers violating the curfew order entered the secretariat premises today.

Curfew was imposed from 4 pm this evening to 5 am throughout the state capital after reports of arson and mobs gathering in certain pockets of the city. The army conducted a flag march this evening through the city to try bringing in normalcy.

But the major breach of security was in the evening when about a hundred-strong people, representing hawkers and vendors, violated the curfew order and entered the secretariat.

The incident happened when there was scant security at the secretariat with just a handful of guards. It was the same time when the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was holding a meeting with a Punjab government delegation.

The security personnel went into tizzy and additional forces were rushed in from different parts of the state capital.

Later a few from the group were allowed to meet the Chief Minister and present their memorandum. �Didn�t expect this sort of situation... but they came with no mala fide intentions, but they should be careful as curfew has been imposed.� Sangma said.

The Chief Minister further downplayed the security

scenario and extension of curfew timing. �We have extended the curfew timing so as to ensure peace and security in the state,� he added.

He said that the Centre has sanctioned additional companies of paramilitary force and the state government and the Union Home Ministry are in constant touch over the security scenario of the state.

PTI adds: The Centre has approved deployment of six additional companies of paramilitary forces in Shillong, where fresh bouts of violence broke out last night, prompting police to use tear gas shells to quell a mob.

Security would be tightened in 14 localities of the Meghalaya capital that were mainly affected by the clashes, Director General of Police SB Singh said.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Home Minister James Sangma today appealed to people to stay calm and said the government is doing everything to restore peace in the city.

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