SHILLONG: Chief Secretary P.B.O. Warjri on Thursday said the State Government is expecting a peaceful procession sponsored by the headman as they are a ‘group of respectful people’.
Speaking to reporters, Warjri said the Government does not foresee any trouble during the rally.
“During the May rally organised by the headmen at Polo, there was no untoward incident and we expect the same on Friday,” he said.
He added that a respectable approach was expected of the headmen during the procession and added that the task of maintaining law and order has been entrusted with the deputy commissioner and the district police chief.
When contacted, east Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P.S. Dkhar said security preparations have been made and police and magistrates would be deployed at all strategic locations.
He also mentioned that the organizers of the rally have been intimated that they would have to take the responsibility in case of any law and order problem during the rally.
Meanwhile, W. Kharshiing , president of the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, informed that the procession will start at 11 am from Lower Lachumiere and will go through the Additional Secretariat, Barik, Keating Road and then to Police Bazar. The crowd will then pass through the office of the Deputy Commissioner and walk up to the Additional Secretariat, he added.
It may be mentioned that Shillong police has made tightened security arrangements for the proposed rally and additional deployments would be made during the rally which is being organized to protest against the dilly-dally on the part of the Governor in giving his assent to the Village Administration Bill (VAB) passed by both KHADC and JHADC.
However, some bureaucrats and officials of the State Government are unhappy that permission has been granted to hold such a massive rally in the city, saying that it will lead to total chaos.
“Permission should not have been given to hold such a massive rally especially in the Secretariat area since it will lead to huge traffic jams in the entire town and schools will also be affected,” Government sources said.
