Bandh almost total, peaceful

SHILLONG, MAY 27: The twenty four-hour bandh sponsored by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to protest against the state government’s failure to pass the village administration bills passed off peacefully with no untoward incident on Wednesday.

The bandh, which started from 6 pm on Tuesday evoked good response despite the state government’s assurance to provide security and transport.

Attendance in government offices was almost negligible.

While offices remained open in all the six districts, the attendance of office goers however registered a low percentage. Most of the rooms in the main secretariat were almost empty with only few staffs attending office.

Sources said in East Jaintia hills district, the attendance of office goers was almost nil.

In Shillong, business establishments including the two major commercial areas – Iewduh and Police Bazaar- educational institutions and bank institutions remained closed.

Similarly the situation in other districts like West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi District were almost same.

However some vehicles, mostly government, and some private including some taxis were seen plying on the city road. Only few government buses were seen plying in different parts of the city.

The national highways in the state were also affected with vehicles remain off roads.

Interestingly, the official record of attendance of employees attending office shows a higher percentage. Some of the deputy commissioners like West Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi claimed the percentage of office attendance in their districts was at 89.08 per cent and 70 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, the shutdown which will end at 6 pm today will be followed by a one-week night road blockade starting from 8pm to 6am every day from May 27 to June 2.

The HNLC had called the bandh and road blockade in support of the ongoing indefinite hunger strike staged by former KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum since May 16, demanding the state government to immediately pass the VAB for empowering the traditional headmen, whose powers have been stripped by the Meghalaya High Court ruling on December last year.- By Our Reporter