SHILLONG: With the proscribed HNLC announcing a 24-hour shutdown on Tuesday followed by a week-long night road blockade, the Chief Secretary held a meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, senior officers, DGP and senior police officials and representatives of financial institutions on Monday to ensure normal functioning of offices and banks .
“All government offices will function normally and all absences must be explained, failing which it will be treated as absence without leave”, a statement issued by Under Secretary to Political department said on Monday .
The 24-hour bandh will be effective from 6 pm of May 26 till 6 pm of May 27 in the whole Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
On the other hand, the banned outfit has announced a week-long night road blockade starting from May 27 till June 2. The night road blockade will be effective from 8 pm to 6 am except on Sunday.
The State Bank of India has been advised to open the Clearing House in order to facilitate clearing of bank transactions during the bandh day, the statement said, adding that all citizens have been advised to contact the telephone number 2222277 in case they were pressured or obstructed on the way to their work. “Shops and financial institutions are requested to cooperate with the Government for filing of FIRs or sharing of CCTV footage with the police for further appropriate action on the matter”, the government added.
Moreover, the State Government asked the people to defy “such blatant and irresponsible acts of HNLC.’
“In response to such blatant and irresponsible call, the Government has taken all steps to ensure that the government offices, institutions and banks function normally. The Government also encourages all private and public transport operators to ply their vehicles normally and all commercial establishments to function normally”, the statement said.
In addition to the commercial transport system, public transport will run normally. Elaborate security arrangements in cities and towns and along all Highways have been made to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the shutdown and night road blockade, the statement added.
The government also said that all educational institutions will also be covered by adequate security force.
The State Government also assured that district administration will arrange transport to facilitate citizens who go to their respective places of work.
The government appealed to all citizens in the state to firmly denounce “such illegal acts, to assist the government authorities, and to go about their normal day to day activities for the benefit of all citizens especially those who depend on such activities for their basic livelihood.
