SHILLONG, AUG 5: Meghalaya government on Tuesday appealed to the citizens to denounce the ‘dawn to dusk’ bandh called by the coal miners on Wednesday even as it promised to take all necessary steps to resolve the issue relating to the NGT’s ban on coal mining in the state.
“Government appeal to all the citizens in the state to firmly denounce such unwarranted call and to assist the administration in the dutiful discharge of its obligations,” Political department under secretary B Khongwir said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Khongwir also said that the state government’s is committed to sort out this issue and to reiterate that all necessary steps have been taken and further steps will continue to be taken to resolve the issue relating to the NGT ban on coal mining in the state.”
Khongwir said members of the public and the government employees in particular should not pay any heed to this unreasonable call and to come out as they would on any normal working day.
Coal miners, owners and dealers under the banner of the State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners’, Miners’ and Dealers’ Forum (SCCCOMDF) have called a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh on August 6 in protest against the state government’s failure to comply with the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order issued on June 9.
The government also said that resorting to any form of agitation at this juncture would only jeopardize the life and property of the citizens and create further unnecessary tension in the minds of the people.
Issuing warning, the government said, “The persons calling the bandh will be held responsible for any damages or loss caused to public or private property during the period of agitation under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act and will be liable to compensate any loss.”
The state government also assured to maintain law and order at all costs and to ensure that the security of its citizens is not compromised in any way.
It also stated that all government offices and establishments will function normally.
The government reiterated its commitment to maintain peace and order in keeping with its constitutional obligation to ensure a secure environment for the benefit of all the citizen of the state.- By Our Reporter
How can people particularly from Garo Hills region defy the bandh??? Even when there is no such a bandh, people live their life with great fear! Just imagine, what would be the situation if people come outdoor when there is a bandh! The govt assured of maintaining law and order! These words are the favourite of a govt functionary and they are never translated into action. The govt’s claim that it is committed to maintain peace and order is totally wrong. If not, why are the suspects/accused still there barking on the streets and never get arrested?