From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM), West Khasi Hills district unit has issued a stern warning against any violation of Tuesday’s 12-hour bandh, saying that strict action would be taken against anyone who flouts the bandh call.
“We will not tolerate any opposition to the bandh called by us on Tuesday. Even the DC and the SP of the district will not be exempted from the purview of the bandh,” HANM West Khasi Hills president Arphul Kharbani said on Sunday.
The HANM has called the dawn-to-dusk bandh in Khasi and Jaintia Hills after the State Government refused to effect the release of Kodious Thongni, one of their members, who was arrested by Assam Police in connection with the torching of an Assam Police Outpost at Jirang.
Kharbani said that bandh call has a two-pronged objective- one to effect the release of Kodious and second to press the Government for an immediate solution to the border problem of the State.
He also said that no schools, colleges, offices or shops would be allowed to function on the day. All vehicles would be off the roads.
Bandh opposed
The Jowai Traders’ Association (JTA) and the Jaintia Tribal Traders’ Association (JTTA) have strongly opposed the proposed bandh called by the HANM on Tuesday, our Jowai Correspondent adds.
Both the associations have expressed unhappiness over frequent bandhs called by various NGOs that has badly affected the social and economic life of the common people.
“We supports the issues taken up by the HANM and other NGOs in the State but we can’t support all bandh calls,” JTA secretary Rajen Shylla said.