SHILLONG, JULY 11: East Khasi Hills district administration has decided to continue imposition of section 144 CrPC till sanity returns to Shillong city.
“It will be there until a little bit of sanity returns to the city,” deputy commissioner RM Kurbah told reporters on Tuesday.
Kurbah had on Monday issued an order prohibiting opening of shops, food stalls, restaurants and enterprises in and around Shillong city after 10 pm.
Consumption of intoxicants and engaging in any unlawful activities in the vehicle and blasting of music near educational, religious institutions, hospitals besides residential areas after 10 pm have also been prohibited.
This came after a recent scuffle between two groups of people which led to the torching of 3 vehicles at the Laitumkhrah police station.
Kurbah said the decision was taken after receiving information that there is a lot of unruliness in Shillong.
“We have so many incidents of arson. We have seen people moving in and around in vehicles which are having loud music with a modified system of engines and creating a lot of noise and unpleasant feelings of fear, of uncertainness… if you go around town after 9 pm I don’t know how many of you feel safe at all?” she asked.
She added, “Therefore, we have to take this decision and after 10pm I feel people should be going back to their families, it should be the time for your workers also to be going back to their families.”
The DC further pointed out that there is a lot of crime happening in the city and said, “We know the number of crimes is going up in the city, the drug issue that is there, everything is happening in the shelter of the dark. So we want to curtail all these issues and for that matter we have passed this order.”
“We hope that things will improve and will see some sanity in everyone,” she added.
On people opposing the decision, the deputy commissioner however said there has to be a limit for allowing people to open shops beyond 10 pm because of the various reasons of the consequences.
“We are seeing in and around town that it is not safe anymore. Even for ourselves to go back home, you don’t feel safe at all,” she further justified.
Asked why the district administration is not considering increasing security cover in the city, Kurbah said, “We cannot say that our police personnel will be in every nook and corner of Shillong city. It is very easy for people to say so but for us who are implementing or who are taking care of the security we have to take into account what is the cause, why people are going out. We have to weigh the pros and cons we have to see why these things are happening. There is a reason why people are going out because there is an opportunity.”
Stating that any normal citizen would be home by 10 pm, the DC said, “By 10 pm, people should be at home rather than here and there. Even your family needs you. Please take care of your family.”
By Our Reporter
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