SHILLONG: Continuing their protest against the non-repair of the dilapidated National Highway 44, a group of pressure groups from Jaintia Hills including the SRS, AJYWO, KSU, HNYF and FKJGP, along with the general public of East Jaintia Hills District have decided to intensify their agitational programmes by calling a 48-hour total bandh in the district to be effective from 5am of April 30 till 5am of May 2.) Protesting the adamant attitude of the NHAI and the Government of Meghalaya to repair the arterial highway which has turned into a commuter’s worst nightmare, the aggrieved pressure groups said, “We are fighting for the interest of the public. Since the NHAI and the State Government did not listen to our pleas to repair NH 44 from Soomer to Malidor, we are intensifying our agitation hoping that this will perhaps hit the deaf ears of the concerned authorities.”
The pressure groups informed that only ambulances, mortuary vans and media vehicles would be allowed to ply on the roads. They also appealed the general public to stay off the roads to avoid any untoward incidents during the hours of the bandh.
Leaders of the pressure groups appealed to the headmen of all villages, NGO members and the public to support the bandh. They also appealed to the commuters from the neighbouring states to extend their support to the bandh call.
The leaders of the pressure groups also threatened more rigorous agitational programmes if the authorities continued to remain silent to the plight of the commuters.