By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A New Year brings in new hopes, joys and ushers new dimensions in the lives of all. But what happens if the sound of a New Year party that played throughout the night ruins the peace and tranquility of your neighbour. This is what exactly happened on December 31, 2011 when a night party played songs in full volume giving nightmare and also ailed nearby residents.
The incident took place at New Kench’s Trace Road in a fabrication workshop opposite Longkmie Gas Agency in the Laban Last Stop area of the city, alleged residents. The workers of this workshop played lousy songs starting from the evening of December 31 which continued till 5am of January 1 much to the difficulty of surrounding residents. Angry residents said that New Year is a time of celebration but if that celebration starts affecting the neighbours than the good feeling gets ruined. “This is what has happened as the celebration has affected one and all in the area,” said a resident. Similar loud music was also played in a building adjacent SBI Kench’s Trace Branch, they said.
Another such resident said that her father who is in his eighties was hugely affected due to the loud music played by the workshop. “His blood pressure increased since he could not sleep whole night because of the huge sound of the sound system,” she said. Another resident said that apart from the music, youths under the influence of alcohol were shouting and screaming in the open.
Meanwhile, residents said that the district administration which ordered banning of firecrackers during Diwali and sale of liquor on important days of the country should also pass similar order banning playing of loud music beyond a certain hour. “I thought that after midnight the music will stop but it continued till 5am in the morning. The District Administration should ban such loud music in residential areas in unearthly hours,” he said. Many residents even said that the ban on sale of liquor during festival is only eyewash as sale is going on in full swing.
Another resident from the area said that her entire family and children remained awake on December 31 because of the full volume music that shook the walls of her house. “It was intolerable. I want to ask the DC whether he can sleep in such a situation,” she said urging the DC to come down heavily on such nuisance creators. These residents have also sought to take the matter to court and put the culprit behind the bars. “It has to be seen if these culprits, who despite knowing that residents are facing difficulties due to the music kept on increasing the volume in the pin drop silence of the night,” said a lawyer informing that he would see how the miscreants can be booked under law. A resident of Rilbong said that full scale Diwali was observed on December 31 with enormous sounds. In Rynjah fireworks started prior to 12 o’clock.
Meanwhile, DC, East Khasi Hills J Lyngdoh, said that he fully agrees with the concern of the public. “But any action or prohibition will depend on whether any complaint has been lodged with the local police station or with the SP (Crime),” said Mr Lyngdoh adding that he did not remember signing any papers where such party would take place in the open anywhere in the city.
However, on enquiry a source from Laban Police Station said, “We don’t have any complaint on that incident otherwise we could have initiated action.”