Shillong: Violence linked to the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has left two people dead and forced authorities to postpone the polls in West Garo Hills.

Clashes erupted between members of the Garo community and supporters of non-tribal candidates seeking to contest the council elections that were earlier scheduled for April 10. The situation quickly turned violent in several areas, with incidents of arson, stone pelting and vandalism reported. During the unrest, the Tura office of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) was also attacked.

Following the violence, the Meghalaya government deployed additional security forces across sensitive areas and suspended mobile internet services to prevent the spread of rumours. The Army was also called in to conduct flag marches in parts of the district to restore order.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the decision to postpone the GHADC elections was taken after reviewing the law and order situation and the difficulties faced by residents in the region. Authorities said curfew remains in force in several pockets of West Garo Hills, though the situation is now under control.

Amid the tension, the chief minister revealed that he had received intelligence inputs warning that certain groups were moving toward his residence with plans to burn his house and attack his family. Security officials advised him to relocate to a safer location, but he chose to remain at his residence.

In a video message, Sangma said he refused to leave despite the warnings. He said his life was “in the hands of the Lord” and that he drew courage from the legacy of his father, former Lok Sabha Speaker P. A. Sangma.

The unrest is linked to a controversy over eligibility to contest the GHADC elections. The council had earlier issued a notification making Scheduled Tribe certificates mandatory for candidates filing nominations. The move effectively barred non-tribal residents from contesting the polls and triggered protests in the plains belt where many non-tribal communities live.

However, the Meghalaya High Court later struck down the notification, stating that such a restriction could not be enforced through an executive order without proper legislative backing. The court’s ruling intensified the already sensitive debate over tribal political rights and representation in the autonomous district councils.

The unrest has also disrupted normal life in the region. Authorities postponed two Class 12 board examinations in West Garo Hills due to curfew restrictions and the tense security situation.

Residents in several neighbourhoods reportedly guarded their localities overnight after incidents of arson and looting. While curfew has been partially relaxed in parts of neighbouring East Garo Hills to allow essential movement, security forces remain heavily deployed across the region.

The state government has appealed for calm, saying fresh dates for the GHADC elections will be announced once the security situation improves.