SHILLONG: Gone are the days when the hill capital city of Shillong used to remain totally shut on the day of Independence Day under threat from insurgents calling boycott of the day’s celebrations.
But with the insurgency on the wane because insurgents losing foothold among the masses as well as sustained operations against them by the police and security forces, the situation has changed for the better in the past couple of years. The people of all ages now come out openly to celebrate the day of national importance be it Independence Day or Republic Day and Tuesday was no different.
On Tuesday Shillong joined the rest of the country in celebrating Independence Day and the situation is far different from what it used to be just few years before.
Going around the town on Tuesday, this scribe witnessed that many shops were open and people were continuing with their usual business unlike the past tears spent under the shadow of insurgents’ gun.
Apart from the shops, vehicular traffic in the city was also normal with all public transport services like local taxis and buses plying normally.
Families were coming out in large numbers to celebrate the day as the state government organised a series of programmes including musical programme at Khyndailad (Police Bazar).
Food stalls and kids’ corners have also been set up besides a dog show while the BSF band party is also scheduled to put up a performance in the picturesque Wards Lake.
Later, the Raj Bhawan would also be opened for common people who wants to have a glimpse of the spacious and luxurious Governor House.
Sharing their views on the trend, seasoned politician from Meghalaya, Bindo M lanong said, “It is a really good thing that situation has changed in Shillong for the better.”
He also said that good sense finally prevailed upon and it had been realized that people should not be restricted on the day of national celebrations.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate the Independence Day and to be a part and parcel of the system and it seems now we are in an era of understanding and goodwill,” Lanong said.
Former IAS officer and activist, Toki Blah too echoed similar views and expressed his happiness over the change saying people were earlier forced to remain indoors but that era is over and now people are coming out and enjoying freedom as free citizens of India.
Another social activist, Angela Rangad also said that change was good as people should have the freedom to do what they want to do.
She, however, said that questions should always be posed in a democratic set up like India but surprisingly, people were now being questioned about their patriotism.
A young entrepreneur, Eugene Niangti termed the change in Shillong as “beautiful” as those days of staying indoors on Independence Day was finally over.
“I feel good to see that people, society, NGOs and the government have brought us back to what we were in school,” he said
He also lamented that his daughter did not know what is Independence Day as she was forced to remain indoors but now it felt great that people from all walks of life were coming out without any fear to celebrate Independence Day here.