HYC burns Sec 144, govt tries to placate

SHILLONG, AUG 21: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) burnt section 144 CrPC order issued by the district administration even as they were invited for talks by the home minister Roshan Warjri to placate them and promised that she will discuss the issue or scrapping of the

“ordinance” with the chief minister and law minister and invite them for talks again.

The HYC had decided to stage a sit-in-protest against the ordinance in-front of the chief minister’s official residence but were prohibited as the administration imposed section 144 CrPC prohibiting assembly of five or more persons within a radius of 500 metre of the CM’s official residence and tight security cover was throw in and around the residence.

The HYC then threatened to lead a ‘protest march’ to the main secretariat to force the state government to immediately revoke its alleged anti-custom ordinance but the administration again prohibited them from doing so.

HYC leaders, who had gathered at the Polo parking lot, were provided with Section 144 CrPC order by the magistrate and police when they insisted to stage the protest in front of main secretariat if they are not allowed to hold it in front of the CM’s residence.

However HYC leaders argued that they should be allowed to hold a peaceful protest anywhere since the Section 144 CrPC was imposed only in the CM’s residence which was however turned down by the police and magistrate.

The HYC then burnt the 144 CrPC as a mark of protest against the attempt of the government to curtail their democratic right.

“We burnt this 144 CrPC order as a mark of condemning the state government for bulldozing the democratic rights of the people by using the district administration,” HYC general secretary Robertjune Kharjahrin said.

He said, “The chief minister does not have the right to be a dictator because to us he is the Chief Servant of Meghalaya. He will be CM only for five years and he has no right to bulldoze the people of the state.”

Announcing that series of protests are on  the card, Kharjahrin said, “We have decided to soon announce a protest march towards the main secretariat to demand the state government to immediately scrap the ordinance.” He also informed that will seek the support from Garo Hills region since this is affecting the entire state.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the HYC was invited for talks by home minister Roshan Warjri. Though it was claimed that the meeting with the home minister was successful but no concrete decision was taken.

Warjri promised that she would discuss the matter (demanding revocation of the ordinance) with the chief minister and law minister  and would then invite the HYC again for a joint meeting with the chief minister and law minister.

HYC, meanwhile, said till the time the ordinance is revoked the decision to hold the protest march will stand.- By Our Reporter