Meghalaya board postpones two Class 12 exams in West Garo Hills after clashes

Two Class 12 board examinations scheduled in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district have been postponed after violence linked to local council election nominations led authorities to impose curfew in parts of the area.

The Meghalaya Board of School Education said the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate examinations for Music and Anthropology, originally scheduled for March 11 and March 12, will not be held in the district as planned. Exams in other districts of the state will continue according to the existing timetable.

“The HSSLC examinations, scheduled for March 11 (Music) and March 12 (Anthropology), stand cancelled for West Garo Hills only. The same shall be rescheduled for some other dates to be notified later,” the board’s Director Accreditation and Controller of Examinations TR Laloo, said.

More than 29,000 students are appearing for the HSSLC examinations conducted by the board this year.

Authorities said the decision to postpone the papers in West Garo Hills was taken after curfew was imposed in certain areas following clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups.

Laloo said the step was taken as a precaution to ensure the safety of students as well as examination staff.

The unrest erupted over the nomination process for local council elections in the district. Officials said two people were killed in police firing during the clashes on March 10.

Following the violence, the state government imposed a curfew in affected areas and called in the army to help restore order.