DGP Mehta silent on police failure
SHILLONG: The capital city on Saturday witnessed a bandh-like situation with the police and the district administration failing to ensure normal business in the medical shops , banks and other business establishments on Saturday despite the High Court of Meghalaya through a recent order criticizing the bandh culture and banning the media from publicizing the bandh news.
The major business hubs, Police Bazar, Laitumkhrah and Barabazar remained closed while there were not many vehicles on the road between 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Majority of the Government-run buses were also off the road.
The Meghalaya DGP Rajiv Mehta during the hearing of the High Court of Meghalaya on May 27 urged the court to restrain media from publicizing bandh news . But on the eve of the public tally held on Saturday , the media did not publicize any bandh related news, but medical shops, business establishments and banks remained closed proving wrong the logic of the police official.
This reporter sent a text message to the DGP seeking his response on why the police failed in ensuring normal transactions of the day, but the DGP failed to respond to it.
The same message was sent to East Khasi Hills SP M. Kharkrang, who replied by saying that the licensing authorities should issue notice to the shops as the police cannot force open the shops.
“Police have provided security to all. We also sent word assuring police security for opening shops. You will have to ask the licensing authorities. Flag march was done yesterday to instill public confidence”, Kharkrang added.