SHILLONG, JUN 4: Massive traffic congestion and heated confrontations between commuters and district authorities were reported from the Polo area on Thursday after police blocked vehicular movement ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit.
Since 10:30 am, police did not permit vehicles coming from the Lawmali area to enter Polo, triggering long queues and severe traffic jams. The restrictions were imposed as part of security arrangements for Shah, who is in Shillong to chair the 73rd Plenary meeting of the North Eastern Council at the State Convention Centre.
Angry drivers and commuters, including two-wheeler riders, got down from their vehicles and entered into arguments with magistrates on duty in the presence of police personnel. The area reverberated with continuous honking as motorists expressed resentment against the curbs. Eyewitnesses said the sudden blockade caught many office-goers and students off guard, with several stranded for over an hour.
No official statement has been issued by the district administration on the duration of the restrictions or the lack of prior public notification.
Frustration boiled over among those caught in the jam. “If they had let us through earlier, it would have been fine. What’s the point of just detaining us like this?” said one commuter who reached the spot at 10 am.
“If they feel the road is that sensitive, then either shift this road to their house or just declare a state holiday so we can all stay home. We also have to go to work. How far does this VIP culture go?”
He added, “Why are these administrators so stupid, so illiterate, even when they hold power? On top of that, they didn’t even issue a notification about this. This is a failure of the system, a failure of the district administration, and it’s like an abuse of power. They are really acting high-handed. They’ve crushed us, the public. The road is already narrow, and now just because of that one VIP, we’re stuck here. Now it’s 10:40 am. This is too much, it’s infuriating. They keep saying ‘five more minutes, five more minutes.’”
Another citizen questioned the rationale behind the curbs: “Our public is not going to throw even one stone at Amit Shah. Why is he so afraid of us, and why is he blocking the road? If we are late by one day, there’s a late fee for GST. Now he is blocking this road for more than half an hour. Who will pay for that half an hour? There was no notification. I did not receive any notification, otherwise I would have stayed at home only. Better vote for change in 2028.”
The Union Home Minister had reviewed development and security issues of the Northeastern states during the NEC plenary session.
By Our Reporter
