Shillong, March 11, 2026: Several shops along GS Road in Shillong remained closed on Wednesday afternoon as the city braced for a major public gathering organized by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) at Motphran.
Shop owners offered varying explanations for the closures. Some reported receiving requests from certain press groups to shut down their establishments temporarily, while others—particularly local traders—stated that they voluntarily closed their businesses in solidarity with the ongoing protests in the Garo Hills region.
Security measures were significantly strengthened in and around Motphran and surrounding areas in anticipation of the event. Authorities deployed additional personnel to maintain law and order amid the tense atmosphere prevailing in parts of the state.
The public meeting, convened by CoMSO, serves as a demonstration of support for the Achik (Garo) community, which has been actively protesting what it describes as a surge in illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Leaders of the organization have repeatedly emphasized that such alleged infiltration represents a grave threat to Meghalaya’s demographic equilibrium, indigenous land rights, and the constitutional protections afforded to tribal communities under frameworks like the Sixth Schedule.
In an official statement, CoMSO highlighted the gathering’s objective: to showcase unity among various indigenous groups in safeguarding their land, cultural heritage, and identity against perceived external pressures.
The event comes against the backdrop of escalating concerns in the Garo Hills, including recent unrest linked to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, demands for stricter border controls, and calls for action against illegal encroachments and immigration. Protests and solidarity actions have drawn participation from multiple indigenous organizations across the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills, reflecting broader anxieties over preserving tribal dominance and resources in the region.
As the gathering proceeds, residents and observers alike are closely watching developments, with hopes that it fosters constructive dialogue on these longstanding issues while avoiding any escalation in tensions.
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