Tura: The district administration of West Garo Hills has imposed a night curfew in several sensitive villages following rising tensions linked to the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.

District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The curfew will remain in force daily from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM in selected areas of the district to prevent unlawful assembly, intimidation and any breach of peace.

According to the order, unauthorised processions and gatherings of five or more persons are prohibited in the notified areas. Carrying weapons such as sticks, rods, stones or any object that could be used to cause harm has also been banned during the curfew hours. The restrictions apply to several villages under Hallidayganj and Phulbari police stations and Selsella outpost.

Under Hallidayganj Police Station, the affected villages include Hallidayganj, Kasharipara, Charkasaripara, Lalmati, Konarchar, Sobribari, Kharigaon, Panbari, Tetultulia, Borojhora, Jewali, Bollonggre, Jeldupara, Boldamgre, Guaraggre, Nawalgre, Gansenggre and Masangpani.

Villages under Phulbari Police Station where the curfew has been imposed include Gudibala (Katmil), Gomajhora, Demdema, Belbari, Babilgre, Songjalgre, Shyamding, Chibinang, Kokaimari, Batabari, Mengkakgre, Chandigre, Rongkhon, Takimagre, Old Bhaitbari, Rajpur, Babulgre and Bamundanga.

Chokchokia village under the Selsella outpost of Tura Police Station has also been brought under the curfew order.

The district administration said the measure has been taken as a precaution to maintain law and order in the plains belt areas where mixed communities live, ahead of the GHADC elections. Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with the restrictions to ensure peaceful conduct of the polls.