Bandh on, puja exempted

SHILLONG, SEPT 29: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) on Monday said it will go ahead with its 24 hour bandh from 6 pm of October 1 to 6 pm of October 2, even as it assured there will not be any hindrance in religious places in the entire Khasi-Jaintia Hills.

“The outfit stands firm on its decision to observe October 1 and 2, as black day and the bandh will commence as it was earlier decided,” HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement on Monday.

Nongthraw, however, assured, “The HNLC will not create any kind of hindrance to the religious places in the entire Khasi Jaintia hills.” According to him, with respect to the people observing Puja and the CPC, the HNLC had exempted people attending religious ceremonies from the purview of the 24 hours bandh.

“The council has never been against any religious section whether Hindu, Muslim , Sikh or Christian,” Nongtraw stated.

According to the HNLC, the objective of the shutdown was to show protest to the police brutality which had taken innocent lives (S Phawa & D Siangshai) on the fateful day in Mookhep village in East Jaintia hills and the killing of Banker Passah in mainland India.

The HNLC, however, appealed to the people observing puja by saying they should try to respect the sentiments of the bereaved families and try to refrain from merry making.”

The HNLC appeals to the CPC to instruct their community to abstain from merry making, drinking, shouting dancing and creating noise pollution on the 1st and 2nd as a mark of respect to the innocents who lost their lives in Jaintia hills.

The 2nd of October will be observed as a black day and people can show their solidarity by putting on black flags.

The HNLC said the lives of the people are more important and greater than any kind of ceremonies. Hence it expected that the CPC will understand the outfit perspective and help create a peaceful atmosphere during the puja celebrations.

Medical patients, religious ceremonies , ambulance services, media vehicles will be exempted from the purview of the bandh, the HNLC added.- By Our Reporter