Shillong, Aug 05: The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a news item under the caption “Miners announce bandh on Aug 6” where the State Co-ordination Committee of Coal Owners, Miners and Dealers Forum has called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on the 6th August, 2014.
The State Government would like to state its commitment to sort out this issue and to reiterate that all necessary steps have been taken, and further steps continue to be taken to resolve the issue relating to the NGT ban on coal mining in the State. Resorting to any form of agitation at this juncture would only jeopardize the life and property of the citizens and create further unnecessary tension in the minds of the people. The persons calling the bandh will be held responsible for any damages/loss caused to public/private property during the period of agitation under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act and will be liable to compensate any loss.
The State Government reiterates its firm commitment to maintain law and order at all costs and to ensure that the security of its citizens is not compromised in any way. Members of the public in general and the Government employees in particular are requested not to pay any heed to this unreasonable call and to come out as they would on any normal working day and carry on with their daily activities. All Government offices/establishments will function normally.
The State Government would also like to appeal to the members of the public not to be intimidated by the call made by the Forum and reiterates its commitment to maintain peace and order in keeping with its Constitutional obligation to ensure a secure environment for the benefit of all the citizens of the State.
Once again, Government takes this opportunity to appeal to all the citizens in the State to firmly denounce such unwarranted call, and to assist the administration in the dutiful discharge of its obligations.(SP News)
