NONGSTOIN: Demanding the immediate release of two of its leaders, the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) has called for a 12-hour bandh in the entire West Khasi Hills district on November 12.
The 6 am-6 pm bandh has been called to put pressure on the government to release HANM West Khasi Hills president Arphul Kharbani and its finance secretary Gabriel Wahlang.
Kharbani has been booked under Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act (MPDA)The HANM president was arrested on September 26 by the Shillong Police for his alleged involvement in the torching of offices of the PWD (Roads) and Meghalaya Khadi and Village Industries Board at Nongstoin besides attempting to burn the Fisheries Office at Nongpyndeng, Nongstoin in the wee hours of September 9.
In a statement issued here on Monday HANM vice president Will Sohshiang said the 12-hour bandh will be effective only in West Khasi Hills for the time being but it might affect the entire State in the next phase of agitation.