HNLC-called bandh ends peacefully

SHILLONG/JOWAI:  Normal life came to a standstill in Meghalaya on Wednesday following a 24-hour shutdown called by the outlawed HNLC in protest over the delay in passage of the Village Administration Bill by the Congress-led government.
The Khasi-Jaintia dominated areas were paralysed during the shutdown. Shops, businesses and educational institutions remained shut while there was little movement of public and private transport.
No untoward incident was reported from any part of the State.
National Highways (NH) 40 and 44, the lifeline of Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur and southern Assam, were also affected by the shutdown.
There was skeleton presence of staff at the state secretariat and Central government (Contd on P-10)