SHILLONG, Dec 13 - Several persons were injured after the police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd trying to enter the Raj Bhavan during a rally held here today. The rally was organised by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which has now become an Act. The organisation is also demanding implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) system in the State.
The rallyists also demanded Governor Tathagata Roy�s assent to an ordinance amending the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA). The ordinance will make it mandatory for those visiting the State to register before entering the State. The State Cabinet has approved of the ordinance almost a month ago, but the Governor�s assent is still awaited.
The rally passed through different parts of the city and converged near the Raj Bhavan. However, some protesters tried to break the police barricades and enter the Raj Bhavan. They were stopped by police personnel who fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, causing injuries to a few protesters.
Those injured have been shifted to different hospitals. Till the filing of this report, several protesters have decided to stay put outside the Raj Bhavan and others at the State Central Library.
Meanwhile, normal life continues to remain paralysed for the second day in the State capital, although curfew was relaxed from 10 am to 10 pm in areas under two sensitive police stations.
The District Magistrate, Matsiewdor War, relaxed the curfew from 10 this morning under the Lumdiengjri and Sadar police stations. However, night curfew from 10 pm will remain in force till further orders, she said.
The areas that will remain under night curfew include Jaiaw, Mawkhar, Umsohsun, Riatsamthiah, Wahingdoh, Mission, Mawprem, Lumdiengjri, Lamavilla, Qualapatty, Wahthapbru, Sunny Hill, Cantonment, Boucher Road, Mawlong Hat (excluding localities beyond the Umshyrpi bridge) � all under the Lumdiengjri Police Station.
On the other hand, the areas under the Sadar PS include Police Bazar, Jail Road, Keating Road and Polo.
Curfew was imposed from 10 last night following cases of arson and vandalism in different parts here. This morning the curfew was relaxed and authorities made the announcement in the affected areas through the public address system.
However, despite the announcement, none of the shops reopened and a curfew-like situation still prevailed as people did not venture out of their homes, government offices remained paralysed and vehicles stayed off the roads.
Due to the tense situation prevailing in the city and the rally by CoMSO, other parts of the State capital also remained shut.
Meanwhile, mobile Internet services have been suspended since Thursday. The services will be restored only after the Home Department assesses the situation on Saturday.
