Following the violence in Shillong, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has assured to protect the Sikh community residing in Shillong.

Violence broke out in Shillong on last Thursday night over an incident of eve-teasing by a local boy to a Sikh woman and subsequent assault of a person from a local community. The local are demanding the Sikhs vacate the area in no time. The Punjabi locality in the city has been put on high alert. Ladies and children from the Punjabi dominated areas have moved to the army camp for their safety and security.

The Army has been ordered to remain on standby in the violence and curfew hit Meghalaya’s capital city. The Meghalaya CM has given a word to Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh that both Sikh community people and their religious institutions are safe in the city.

The Meghalaya CM further assured that he was personally monitoring the entire situation so that no more violence and outrage spread into any part of the city.

James K Sangma, State Home Minister said that the government was keeping a check on the situation and to stop further violence has been doing everything possible.

Curfew was clamped in the city after the violence, but it was relaxed on Sunday to allow people to get their essential commodities. Office of the Deputy Commissioner in-charge of East Khasi Hills said that internet service had been suspended due to rumors in the social media. Besides that, a loose sale of petrol, diesel, and other flammable items to the public has been banned.

Office of the Director General of Police (DGP) Meghalaya said that the situation is totally under control while curfew remains clamped in several localities in the city. The administration has been doing everything possible to protect the people living in Punjabi Lane area which is inhabited by about 700 Sikh families.

Till now at least four persons have been arrested and as many as 11 persons have been taken into custody in connection with the violence.