HNLC 48-hrs bandh gets underway

*People crowding vegetables vendor to buy vegetables just before the 48- hours HNLC bandh on Wednesday.- Pix WT Lytan*

SHILLONG, AUG 13: People were seen rushing to shops for last minute shopping to stock essential food items and vegetables as the forty-eight hours HNLC’s bandh got underway on Wednesday at 6 pm. Markets and shops were crowded even as there were massive traffic congestion all over Shillong.

Police also beefed up security in view of the bandh called by the banned outfit to protest against the NGT ban on rat-hole coal mining and the Independence Day celebration on Friday.

The HNLC said the shutdown on August 13 and 14 was called to protest against NGT’s ban on coal mining that has affected the livelihood of the people and August 15 the bandh is to protest against the policy of the Government of India in forcing the signing of the Instrument of Accession and annexed Agreement on August 17, 1948 at gunpoint.

East Khasi hills SP M Kharkhrang on Wednesday evening said that security has been tightened all over the city in view of the bandh. He said, “Additional security force has been deployed in all the important junctions in the city.”

East Khasi hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal informed that conveyance has been arranged to facilitate people movement during the bandh and free conveyance also have been made for those wishing to attend the Independence Day celebration to be held in the 2^nd ground at Polo.

Goyal said, “ As Thursday is a working day, the government buses and maxi cabs will ply normally in all the routes but on Independence Day the district administration has made special conveyance arrangement for public who are interested to witness the Independence Day parade in Polo ground for free.”

***People waiting for taxis just as the HNLC 48 hours bandh on Wednesday commenced.- Pix by WT Lytan***

On Independence Day the district administration has made elaborate arrangement of different programme that includes free cinema shows in different cinema halls in the city.

The state government had urged the public and the government employees to defy the HNLC bandh and come out as they would do in any normal day assuring that the police has made elaborate security arrangement to see that everything is normal. The police have also urged business establishments to open their shops during the HNLC bandh.

A press statement from the East Khasi hills deputy commissioner’s office said that that the district administration has arranged free conveyance for the public who wish to attend the Independence Day Celebration.

The statement also gave the following details of the conveyance arrangement:

The buses will ply from 6:30 A.M. onwards from Happy Valley via Madanrting, Nongthymmai, St.Edmunds, Dhankheti, Barik, IGP to Polo Ground, from Rynjah via Pohkseh, Nongrim Hills, Laitumkhrah, I.G.P. to Polo Ground, from Mawlai Thangkhiew Petrol Pump via Mawdatbaki, Mawlai Mawroh, Golflinks to Polo Ground, from Mawprem Kyrbom via District Council Point, Motphran, Police Bazar to Polo Ground, from Laban via Last Stop, Bishnupur, Kench’s Trace, IGP to Polo Ground, from Nongmensong via Demseiniong to Polo Ground, from Jaiaw Mawbynna via Riatsamthiah,Wahingdoh, Umsohsun, Police Bazar to Polo Ground, from Umlyngka via Kynton 3^rd Mile, Rhino point, I.G.P. to Polo Ground, from 7^th Mile, Upper Shillong via 5^th Mile, 4^th Mile, Rhino point, I.G.P. to Polo Ground, from Jhalupara point via Anjalee Petrol pump point, I.G.P. to Polo Ground and from Lumparing via Madan Laban, Rhino Point, I.G.P. to Polo Ground.- By Our Reporter