By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Amid a high drama, the East Khasi Hills administration on Monday barred the KHNAM activists from holding their one-day hunger strike inside the State Central Library premises.
The KHNAM activists who had gathered at the proposed venue were asked to move to another location due to the enforcement of Section 144 CrPC by the district administration.
When the agitators refused to adhere to the directive, police personnel, after almost an hour of agitation, dragged the activists from the venue and transported them to Madan Iewrynghep, Laitumkhrah (opposite Fire Brigade).
The KHNAM activists led by their president Pyndapborthiaw Saiborne, party MDCs in KHADC – Adelbert Nongrum, Latiplang Kharkongor and James Ban Basaiawmoit — were refused to vacate the place when district magistrates and police asked them to board a bus meant for transporting them to the other location.
Leading the way, Saiborne resisted when police personnel tried to drag him into the bus and it took four men in uniform to drag the KHNAM chief into the vehicle.
While condemning the district administration’s move to disallow them to hold the hunger strike on the State Central Library premises, Saiborne said that even if prohibitory orders were in place, activists of a political party had the right to gather for a peaceful protest like hunger strike.
The KHNAM extended full support to the agitating pro-ILP groups.
The party also voiced in favour of the teachers’ cause while shouting anti-Mukul slogans.