- Thursday, March 06, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
The north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya has suspended mobile internet services in seven of its districts for 48 hours after six people, including a forest official from the neighbouring state of Assam, were killed in firing in Mukroh in West Jaintia Hills at the border between the two states.
Mobile internet/data services have been suspended in seven districts of Meghalaya beginning from 10:30 am today (22), a notification issued by Meghalaya’s home department said on Tuesday (22).
Disturbing news coming from #Assam #Meghalaya border. Four people dead on Meghalaya side due to police firing. Internet service shut across 7 districts in Meghalaya. Assam travellers are being asked not to Meghalaya. @SangmaConrad calls emergency meeting. Disturbing visuals pic.twitter.com/kJQ5HPIz7q
— DP (@dpbhattaET) November 22, 2022
The state’s chief minister, Conrad Sangma, confirmed that six, including five from Meghalaya and one Assam Forest Guard, were killed in the incident.
Very Disturbing news coming from #Assam #Meghalaya border. Four people dead on Meghalaya side due to police firing. Internet service shut across 7 districts in Meghalaya. People from Assam are advised to avoid travelling to or via Meghalaya in the wake of tensed situation. pic.twitter.com/mF4NiCQv1v
— Dilwar Hussain Barbhuiya (@dhbarbhuiya1) November 22, 2022
“The injured have been rushed to hospital and an inquest is being conducted. An FIR (first information report) has been registered by Meghalaya police,” he said, according to Asian News International.
Tension escalated in Assam-Meghalaya border area following the killing of 6 people (5 from Meghalaya, 1 Assam forest guard) due to violent clashes and alleged police firing at West Karbi Anglong district this morning. 1/n pic.twitter.com/XILJ5dSuDp
— Mahmodul Hassan (@mhassanism) November 22, 2022
The notification added, “Reports have been received from police headquarters, Meghalaya, Shillong that an untoward incident has occurred in Mukroh, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai, having a potential to disturb public peace and tranquility, and cause a threat to public safety in West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills, which may likely breakdown law and order,”
In order to prevent the misuse of media (WhatsApp and social media like Facebook Twitter, YouTube, etc.) to disturb peace and tranquility in the state of Meghalaya and for maintaining law and order, CVD Diengdoh, secretary to the home (police) department, Meghalaya, promulgated the notification.
The telecom and social media services will be shut across districts of Meghalaya, namely West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts.
The notification read that those who violate the promulgation will be penalised under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and the related provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
Last year, tensions erupted at the border of Assam and Mizoram, another north-east Indian state, which resulted in deaths of a number of people, including police personnel.
[With ANI inputs]
