Tension in West Garo Hills: Meghalaya CM appeals for peace, says GHADC polls to be postponed

Conrad Sangma

• GHADC elections in Garo Hills postponed after violent clashes
• Army and RAF deployed in West Garo Hills to restore order
• CM Conrad Sangma urges residents to maintain peace

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A day after severe violence and arson resulted in the death of two individuals in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district, chief minister Conrad Sangma appealed to all residents to maintain peace and announced that the government has decided to cancel/ postpone the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council election.

Tensions broke out in the district over opposition to the participation of non-tribals in the upcoming polls.

"At this critical juncture I appeal to all our citizens of Meghalaya especially Garo hills to maintain peace and law and order. Based on the prevailing situation Government has decided to cancel / postpone the elections to the GHADC. Further we will be calling all political parties and stake holders to discuss the different issues and try and work out a solutions taking everyone onboard … once again I urge citizens to pray and maintain peace.." tweeted the CM.

Two persons were killed in police firing on Tuesday during clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups over the nomination process for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, prompting the government to impose curfew and call in the Army.

At this critical juncture I appeal to all our citizens of Meghalaya especially Garo hills to maintain peace and law and order. Based on the prevailing situation Government has decided to cancel / postpone the elections to the GHADC. Further we will be calling all political…

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— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) March 11, 2026

Five columns of the Army have been deployed in a bid to help the administration in West Garo Hills district, another official said. Three Army columns have been stationed in Tura town, the divisional headquarters, while two others were deployed in Chibinang, where the two youths were killed in the police firing, he said.

Personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and additional state police forces have also been deployed at sensitive locations across the Garo Hills region, according to district officials.