Shillong (Meghalaya): Internet service has been suspended for the next 48 hours in seven districts of the state due to the Assam-Meghalaya border tension. The literary program of the Cherry Blossom Festival to be held in the capital Shillong has been cancelled. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma called an emergency meeting with village heads and religious leaders and it was decided to call off the second edition of the Shillong Literature Festival as part of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2022 at Ward Lake Shillong due to the incident at Muikrang village on the Assam-Meghalaya border.
As per information received from Police Headquarters, Meghalaya, Shillong, an untoward incident took place at Muikrang, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai, which is likely to disturb public peace, and may pose a danger to the public. The security and law and order situation may deteriorate in West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, East West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills.
In view of the changed situation, the use of messaging systems such as WhatsApp and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc. to disseminate information through images, videos and readable content may worsen the situation.
In order to restore the law and order of Meghalaya and prevent the misuse of media, under the provision of Section 5(ii) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, by CVD Dengdoh, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Home (Police) Department, the telecommunication services have been temporarily suspended for the next 48 days under the (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. Violation of this declaration shall be punishable under section 188 of the IPC and also under the relevant provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885.
Significantly, at least four people, including a forest guard, were killed in a firing incident this morning at Moikrang in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, adjacent to the Assam-Meghalaya Border.
According to reports, the incident took place when the forest department team tried to stop a truck loaded with smuggled timber.
