Before sunrise on March 10, several Muslim families in parts of Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills quietly packed their belongings and left.
Some crossed the border into neighbouring Assam. Others sought refuge in nearby villages.
Fear is dominant after episodes of violence which erupted following the nomination period for elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
“Muslims here have fled towards the Assam side. Women and children have left the area entirely,” a resident told The Observer Post, requesting anonymity.
On March 10, two Muslim men were found dead in the aftermath of bloodshed occurring in West Garo Hills following tensions over the participation of non-tribal candidates in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
The deceased were identified as Khairul Islam and Ashraful Islam, both residents of the West Garo Hills region. Their bodies were recovered after the violence subsided on March 11, and later sent for post-mortem examination.
According to autopsy findings, one victim died after being attacked with a sharp weapon, while the other sustained fatal gunshot injuries from a country-made pistol.
Following unrest, authorities imposed curfew restrictions, suspended mobile internet services for 48 hours, and later deployed army columns to conduct flag marches in affected areas.
“With the presence of the armed forces, we are a little relieved now,” a resident from West Garo Hills, who spoke to The Observer Post, shared on condition of anonymity.
“But the atmosphere in many neighbourhoods remains tense. Several families who fled their homes have yet to return,” he added.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.