Friday, March 29, 2024
spot_img

Shut down in city to condemn Pulwama terror attack

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

SHILLONG/TURA: Shops and business establishments were closed in Shillong from 9 am to 12 pm on Monday due to the day-long all India ‘Bharat Bandh’ jointly called by the trade and commerce industries along with several organisations in the country to condemn the killing of jawans in the terror attack in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir last week.
While most of the shops in the city were shut, Garo Hills districts witnessed a mixed response as several towns remained closed while others, including Tura, did not take part.
The ‘Bharat Bandh’ had been called by various groups and organisations to protest the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir which killed more than 40 soldiers and left scores critically injured.
Calls for the protest, that was quickly circulated through various social media outlets across the country, was also doing the rounds in Garo Hills and by Monday morning the protest was visible as shops in important towns such as Williamnagar, Mendipather, Phulbari, Rongjeng, Tikrikilla and other smaller towns remaining closed in protest against the terror attack in Kashmir.
Normal life went about in the town of Tura with schools and government offices functioning smoothly while traders did brisk business.
The protest was partial in smaller towns such as Hallidayganj in the plains belt region.
While the trading towns of Phulbari and Mendipather remained completely closed for the entire day, most shops and establishments in Williamnagar and other towns did began opening up for trade by afternoon.
Transportation was a major hinderance for commuters in the affected areas as public buses did not ply at many of the routes.
Earlier, candle light programmes were organised at Baghmara town of South Garo Hills on Saturday evening and at Garobadha on Sunday to express solidarity with the families of the jawans who were killed in the Kashmir terror attack.
However, the citizens of Tura held a candlelight vigil and marching 7 long kms in a procession to the CRPF battalion headquarters to send a message out that people of Garo Hills are with them in this time of grief.
Heeding to the call for a show of unity, over 1500 people from different walks of life gathered at the Tura Police Parade Ground on Monday evening under the aegis of Tura Citizens Forum.
They were joined by government officials led by West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh and Superintendent of Police MGR Kumar, senior citizens and students.
With candles lit the public walked from Tura bazar, Hawakahana, Tetengkol, Araimile all the way up to the 120 battalion headquarters of the CRPF at Dakopgre.
Along the way many citizens in the rally raised slogans denouncing terror and Pakistan’s support for it while heaping praise on the brave CRPF martyrs who died in the suicide attack in Kashmir.
Several rally participants called on the government to give a befitting reply to the terrorists and it’s state sponsors.
At the CRPF battalion headquarters flowers and candles we’re placed at a monument for the slain CRPF personnel.
Meanwhile, condemning the killing of the CRPF jawans and to offer condolence, a silent march was organised by the Inter Religion Peace Committee (IRPC) at Garobadha in South West Garo Hills on Sunday evening.
During the silent march more than 500 people belonging to different caste, creed and religion while carrying candles marched from the Garobadha Higher Secondary School to the Ghoramara junction and back to the starting venue.
Earlier before beginning the silent march, a brief programme was conducted jointly by general secretary of IRPC, Besling A Sangma and its vice president, Pranesh Ghose. The Condolence Prayer was led by Rev Walsing M Marak, the Pastor of Garobadha Church.
Police personnel belonging to the Garobadha Investigation Centre also actively participated in the silent march by escorting the public in a convoy and ensuring peace and security during the march.

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

Ali, Richa open up on wedding docu ‘RiAlity’: ‘Life is stranger than fiction’

Shillong, March 29: Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, opening up on their wedding documentary titled 'RiAlity’, said it...

Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk

Shillong, March 29: Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, on Friday, revealed that he started his career on the...

Chinese companies suspend work on Dasu, Diamer-Bhasha dams in Pakistan after suicide attack

Shillong, March 29: After Tarbela Dam, Chinese companies have also suspended civil work on the Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha...

Manipur govt declines transportation arrangement for UPSC exams outside state, offers reimbursement

Shillong, March 29: The Manipur government has informed the Delhi High Court that it will not organise transportation...