Amid escalating tension in parts of the plain belt of West Garo Hills ahead of the 2026 MDC Election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the district administration has sought the assistance of the Army to conduct a flag march in several sensitive locations to restore public confidence and prevent further disturbances.
In a formal communication to the Commanding Officer of 101 Area, Eastern Command, Shillong, West Garo Hills District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal stated that the prevailing law and order situation has become tense following opposition to the participation of non-tribals in the GHADC elections. The District Magistrate noted that the situation has already led to disturbances affecting public peace and tranquility in certain areas of the district.
The administration said the presence of armed forces through a flag march would act as a strong confidence-building measure among residents and help deter any potential untoward incidents. “Due to the opposition to the participation of non-tribals in the General Election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), 2026 in West Garo Hills District, there has been a disturbance of public peace and tranquility. The presence of the armed forces through a flag march will greatly help in reassuring the public, preventing any further untoward incidents, and restoring confidence among the residents,” Aggarwal said in the letter.
The District Magistrate further pointed out that communal tension between two groups and incidents of public unrest have recently surfaced in parts of the district, prompting the administration to seek military assistance as a preventive measure. “Recently, there have been communal tension between two groups and public unrest. In view of this, a flag march by the Army will serve as a visible demonstration of preparedness and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the area,” he added.
The administration has requested that the flag march be conducted at the earliest in several identified tense-prone villages under Hallidayganj, Phulbari and Rajabala police jurisdictions. These include Hallidayganj, Kasharipara, Charkasaripara, Lalmati, Konarchar, Sobribari, Kharigaon, Panbari, Tetultulia, Borojhora, Jewali, Bollonggre, Jeldupara, Boldamgre, Guaragre, Nawalgre and Gansenggre under Hallidayganj Police Station.
Under Phulbari Police Station, the villages identified include Masangpani, Gudibala (Katmil), Gomaijhora, Demdema, Belbari, Babilgre, Songjalgre, Shyamding, Chibinang, Kokaimari, Mengkakgre, Chandigre, Rongkhon, Takimagre, Old Bhaitbari, Rajpur, Babulgre and Bamundanga.
Batabari under Rajabala Police Station and Chokchokia under Selsella Outpost of Tura Police Station have also been listed among the areas considered vulnerable.
Aggarwal assured that the district administration and the police would extend full cooperation to facilitate the flag march and ensure smooth coordination with the armed forces. He further noted that the intervention of the Army would play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability while reassuring residents amid the prevailing tension in the district.
Army Assistance Sought for Flag March in Tense Areas of West Garo Hills
