Curfew in the ethnic violence-hit Resubelpara subdivision of Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district was on Saturday relaxed for six hours even as a body was recovered from bordering Assam, taking the toll in the clashes to eight.
A body was recovered on the Assam side on Friday, official sources said, adding a number of abandoned houses were burnt down in the Adolgre area along the border last night.
“The situation is under control. Curfew has been relaxed for six hours from 11 a.m. The border areas are, however, still tense,” East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi told PTI.
He said strict vigil was being maintained by security forces led by Magistrates at all strategic points.
Five more companies of paramilitary forces sanctioned by the Centre on Friday have begun to arrive in the affected areas.
The bodies of four persons killed in Meghalaya were handed over to Krishnai police station in Assam, while those killed on the Assam side were handed over to Mendipathar police station, the sources said.
The economic blockade called against Meghalaya by a student union was suspended last night.
The Garo Students Union and All Rabha Students Union (ARSU) are scheduled to hold a peace dialogue during the day.
Nearly 30,000 people have been displaced in the ethnic clashes that began on January 1, with over 15,000 of them sheltered in 25 relief camps set up on both sides of the border.
