Shillong, Dec 10: The 12 hours bandh called by Pro ILP pressure groups to put pressure on the Meghalaya government to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) has brought life to a standstill in Meghalaya capital Shillong. Most of the offices were closed for the day.
Shillong took deserted look on Tuesday as most of the offices and shops were closed in the town while no vehicle was seen on the road. Only few police vehicles were seen plying on the road. Most of the offices remained closed for the day. Moreover, those offices which are open has witness thin attendance as most people preferred to stay back home. Normal life in Meghalaya capital and adjoining areas came to a standstill in response to the 12 hours bandh called by pro ILP Pressure Groups to put pressure on the Meghalaya government to implement the Inner Line Permit.
Ribhoi district recorded only 5 percent attendance where as East Khasi Hills recorded only 20 percent attendance throughout the day.
East Khasi hills SP M Kharkhrang said, “No incident has been reported so far from any parts of the district, the bandh is peaceful.”
West Jaintia hills district, deputy commissioner Peter Dkhar informed that the attendance in government offices were fifty-two percent. He said, “The bandh was peaceful as no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the district.” He said that small shops remained open but bigger business establishment were all closed.
Educational institutions, business houses and even private establishments remained closed.
West Khasi Hills recorded- 15 percent attendance, while,East Jaintia Hills distrcits recorded-40 percent attendance and South West Jaintia Hills recorded 42 percent attendance.
Earlier, after throwing life completely out of gear by suddenly announcing a 36-hour bandh, the 13 pro-ILP pressure groups have decided to reduce the bandh timing by 24 hours.
The bandh was effective form 5 am to 5 pm in the whole of Khasi and Jaintia Hills. However, the proposed office picketing on December 13 stood as scheduled. On the eve of the schedule bandh, the pro ILP pressure groups from Jaintia Hills region had reduced the bandh timing as well. The decision to reduce bandh timing came in wake of request from several quarters in view of the ongoing examination and even this caused problem for the people who are busy doing Christmas shopping these days.
Earlier several people who were scheduled to travel outside the State on December 10 & 11 had to make hurried plans to cancel or reschedule their air/train tickets or to spend the next two days in Guwahati.
There were complaints from several quarters as this is the time for report cards to be given in the schools and for Christmas shopping as well. Several state and Central government programmes/workshops/seminars etc had to be cancelled on account of the bandh..
Meanwhile, the NEHU student’s Union appealed to the pro-ILP groups who have called the bandh and office picketing as part of their agitation, to exempt North Eastern Hill University because of the ongoing end semester examination which will continue till the 20th of this month.
It may also be mentioned that due to the bandh on 10th and 11th December 2013 exams have been postponed which had severely affected the students.(SP News)
