Bandh affects life in Ri Bhoi

NONGPOH: The 12-hour dawn-to-dusk shutdown called by the Dorbar ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Bhoi district on Tuesday paralysed normal life in the district. However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district.
The district administration was taken by surprise when a large number of residents from 22 villages of Umiam-Umroi under the banner of the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong of the area blocked the road at Umroi Nongrah along the Shillong Bypass soon after the commencement of the bandh hours.
Police team along with a magistrate rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
The angered residents did not even listen to the humble plea of the magistrate and police officials, whereas the administration remained mere mute spectators to the stalling of vehicles plying through the Shillong Bypass.
The police personnel did not dare to evict the protestors as they were outnumbered. However the plying of vehicles through Shillong Bypass had been diverted from Umiam-Shillong for the convenience of the travellers.
Notably, the Dorbar ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Bhoi District had called for the bandh in the district demanding enactment of Village Administrative Bill passed by the KHADC.
Meanwhile, during the hours of the bandh, Ri Bhoi District wore a deserted look with all the commercial establishment, bank and government offices remaining closed. The overall government employees’ attendance was recorded at only 20 percent.