Synopsis
A curfew has been imposed in Mawkynrew village, Meghalaya after a mob clashed with police over the demolition of the under-construction Ramakrishna Mission School. The situation remains tense, with injuries reported on both sides.Key Takeaways
- Curfew imposed in Mawkynrew village.
- Mob attempted to vandalize Ramakrishna Mission School.
- Clash resulted in injuries to police and civilians.
- Current village chief opposes prior land allocation.
- Police maintain a strong presence as tensions persist.
Shillong, Jan 20 (NationPress) A curfew has been enforced in Mawkynrew village, located in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, following a confrontation between a mob and police who were allegedly trying to damage the under-construction Ramakrishna Mission School, officials reported.
A police spokesperson shared that the Ramakrishna Mission School was established in 2022 after the issuance of a no-objection certificate by the former Sardar (village chief) of Mawkynrew. However, the current Sardar is contesting his predecessor’s decision regarding the land allocation for the school. A group of approximately 250 individuals, including men and women, gathered at the school on Monday with intentions to dismantle its structures. Police intervened, employing lathis and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Despite these efforts, the protest escalated into a clash that resulted in injuries to four police officers, including women, and four civilians.
The official reported that the mob attempted to assault the police, but the officers maintained a high level of restraint. After several hours of turmoil, the crowd eventually dispersed, leaving the situation tense yet controlled. A significant police presence remains in the vicinity as a precautionary measure.
In a related development, East Khasi Hills District Magistrate Rosetta Mary Kurbah issued an order stating that reports had surfaced concerning a serious decline in law and order within the Mawkynrew Village area, specifically under the Madanrting police station. These reports included acts of vandalism causing damage to property at the Ramakrishna Mission School.
“These actions are likely to persist, posing a serious risk of disrupting peace and safety, potentially leading to loss of life and property,” the order indicated. Consequently, the curfew has been enacted under section 163 BNSS in Mawkynrew Village with immediate effect until further notice.
The protesters contend that the “disputed land” had previously been designated for the Mawkynrew Sports Club to serve as a playground, asserting that the decision to repurpose this land for the Ramakrishna Mission School was made without their awareness or consent.
