Sunday, October 2 2005 15:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Shillong: Curfew in Meghalaya's West Garo Hill district headquarters Tura was on while it was relaxed for three hours in the morning in East Garo Hills District town Wlliamnagar today (Oct 02, 2005) even as attempts were made to set afire an Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA's residence and two government offices, respective District Magistrates said.

Situation was under control in both the districts, they a said.

East Garo Hills District Magistrate F Kharlyngdoh said the curfew was relaxed from 9 to 12 am at Williamnagar.

He said yesterday afternoon some unidentified miscreants attempted to set afire NCP Mla John M Marak's private residence at Mendal area of the district but timely intervention by the security forces prevented any casualties. At around 10 pm, the miscreants attempted to set ablaze the BDO office at Songsak area was also foiled by the security personnel but not before bench and notice board of the office were gutted, Kharlyngdoh said.

However, there was no violence in district town Williamnagar.

West Garo hills District Magistrate L R Sangma said although situation was under control in Tura but no relaxation of curfew was given. Security forces fired in the air yesterday to disperse a crowd, Sangma said without giving any details.

In both the districts, there was no increase in death toll, which was put at nine. Condition of those who received bullet injuries on Friday and were sent to Guwahati for further treatment was stated to be stable.

Curfew was imposed in both the district towns on Friday after police-CRPF firing killed nine persons and injured over hundred in two places almost simultaneously. The students and general public had in large numbers gathered in those places at the call of the Garo Students Union defying prohibitory orders, on the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) revamping issue.

The mob turned violent when securitymen arrived at the spot and started throwing stones to them, forcing the police to use teargas shells, cane and fire.

The GSU has been spearheading a non-cooperation movement in the three districts of Garo hills region from September 14 and launched an 'economic blockade' from September 28.

The students' body was apparently unhappy over the recommendations by a state-level committee (SLC) set up by the Lapang Government to revamp the Meghalaya Board Of School Education (MBOSE) appointing a director for the Board's Shillong region office.

This, the GSU felt, tantamounted to bifurcating the board, headquartered at Tura and demanded a review of the SLC recommendations.

The MBOSE issue has created a sharp division between the two main tribes of Meghalaya - the Khasis and Garos.

While the Khasis initially wanted to bifurcate the MBOSE, the Garos opposed it vehemently.

The GSU has demanded a joint director and not a director to head the Shillong regional office of the board.

Meanwhile, a joint action committee of the Shillong-based Garo outfits and public urged all the Garo employees working in the state, central and private sectors to take mass casual leave tomorrow (Oct 03, 2005) to express solidarity with the victims.