ïewduh, the main market in Shillong witnessed heavy rush of people from the city and rural areas to purchase goods as curfew was relaxed for nine hours at Motphran area and other localities under Lumdiengjri police station.
The relaxation period was from 7 am to 4 pm on Saturday at Motphran and areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station which include Jaïaw, Mawkhar, Umsohsun, Riatsamthiah, Wahingdoh, Mission, Mawprem, Lumdiengjri, Lamavilla, Qualapatty, Wahthapbru, Sunny Hill, Cantonment, Mawlong Hat including areas under Cantonment Beat House (excluding localities beyond Umshyrpi bridge).
Roads in various part of the city leading to Motphran area witnessed heavy traffic jam during the day especially the Mawlai-Jaïaw-Mawkhar road as people rushed to the market to buy their requirements.
People rushed to Motphran area and ïewduh, the main market in the city to buy various goods, vegetables, meat and other items. All shops were opened during the day.
The district administration is assessing the law and order situation on a daily basis before taking any decision to totally lift curfew in areas under Lumdiengjri police station and areas under Cantonment Beat House.
East Khasi Hill district magistrate, P.S. Dkhar said that curfew has been further relaxed on Sunday for 11 hours from 7 am to 6 pm in areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station and Cantonment Beat House.
He said that night curfew in the entire Shillong city has also been relaxed from nine to eight hours, that is, from 9 pm on Sunday to 5 am on Monday.
On Saturday, curfew in areas under Lumdiengjri Police Station and Cantonment Beat House was relaxed from 7 am to 4 pm, while night curfew in the entire Shillong is being imposed from 8 pm to 5 am on Sunday.
“We are assessing the situation on a daily basis, based on which, the curfew timing was also fixed. For the sake of ensuring security, curfew cannot be lifted totally,” Dkhar said.
Violent protest erupted at Motphran and Mawkhar area in the past few days over the issue related to shifting of settlers from Them ïew Mawlong.
The violent agitation started following an exchange of words between a bus driver and a lady residing at Them ïew Mawlong on May 31 morning over the parking of a bus.
The altercation that led to the assault of the driver and two other persons by some men in the area, caused a volatile situation since May 31 night.
The standoff between the mob and security forces continued at Motphran and Mawkhar area till Monday. Police personnel who were exercising maximum restraint while dealing with the crowd bore the brunt of stone pelters, and fired tear gas shells from their side to disperse the agitated mob.