Tura, March 9 : The District Magistrate of West Garo Hills, Vibhor Aggarwal, IAS, has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in view of the filing of nomination papers for the General Election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), 2026.
According to the order issued on March 8, the restrictions will come into effect from 5:00 AM on March 9, 2026, and will remain in force until the nomination process is completed in the district.
The nomination papers for the GHADC elections, scheduled to be held from March 9 to March 16, 2026, will be filed, received, and scrutinized at the offices of the respective Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers located within the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, West Garo Hills, Tura.
The District Magistrate stated that the order was issued due to the possibility of obstruction or intimidation affecting the movement of vehicles and disruption of normal public life, which could lead to inconvenience to the general public and potentially disturb public peace and tranquility.
Under the order, several activities have been prohibited within the district during the nomination period. These include causing obstruction to the movement of vehicles, carrying or concealing weapons such as lathis, sticks, stones, missiles, firearms, or other lethal weapons, and obstructing the legal functioning of shops, establishments, and offices.
The order also prohibits unlawful assembly of five or more persons aimed at causing such obstruction.
However, the restrictions will not apply to armed forces personnel, paramilitary forces, or other law enforcement agencies engaged in lawful duty.
The District Magistrate stated that the prohibitory order has been issued as an emergency measure to prevent any breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquility, or loss of life and property, and will remain in force with immediate effect across the entire West Garo Hills district.
