SHILLONG: Taking strong exception to the 24-hour bandh called by the outlawed HNLC coinciding with the Durga Puja celebrations, the State Government on Sunday termed it as ill-timed and irresponsible.
In an e-mail to media houses, Commissioner and Secretary, Political Department, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, reprobated the call for bandh from 6 pm of October 1 to 6 pm of October 2 when the Puja celebrations will have just begun.
The State Government further called upon all citizens to work towards peaceful solution of all issues and to respect the religious observance of the various communities inhabiting the State.
The State Government also called upon citizens to honour the Father of the Nation by observing his Birth Anniversary by celebrating the ‘Clean India Movement’ and in taking the common pledge to make Meghalaya and India clean.
The Meghalaya Government appealed to all citizens to take the pledge in their respective locations like district headquarters, block headquarters and community halls, in a united effort to keep the country clean, beautiful and healthy for all.
“All citizens of Shillong, NGOs and organisations pursuing the objective of a clean and healthy environment are invited to come to the Polo Grounds at 8 am on October2 and take the pledge for cleanliness which will be administered by the Governor of Meghalaya,” the e-mail said.
Govt welcomes suspension of economic blockade
The State Government on Sunday welcomed the suspension of the economic blockade by the Movement for Indigenous People’s Rights and Livelihood – Meghalaya and expected that all those concerned should be patient in awaiting further long term solutions to the problems of traditional coal mining, which have been initiated by the Government of India.
The MIRPL on Saturday suspended its ongoing economic strike, which resulted in the loss of two lives during the recent firing incident in East Jaintia Hills District.
Commissioner and Secretary, Political department, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, in an e-mailed statement on Sunday said that the State Government has viewed with deep concern the law and order situation which arose in East Jaintia Hills because of the economic blockade called by the MIPRL.
“The unnecessary loss of two precious lives and injuries to many others has caused much anguish to the Government,” the statement said.
While the Government has swiftly provided ex-gratia compensation to the bereaved families it has also taken the responsibility for treatment of those injured, the statement added.