SHILLONG: With hardly few days having passed by since a group of 100 bikers and people in vehicles entered the state from Assam amid restrictions on interstate movement, another group of 10 persons from the neighbouring state was intercepted while entering the state on Monday.
Members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) apprehended the persons who were moving towards Diengiei, East Khasi Hills, in a vehicle to purchase vegetables.
Interestingly, some locals, who claimed to be traders, defended the persons and got engaged in a feud with the HYC members, stating that they brought the group to Diengiei.
The HYC, Diengiei circle, in a statement, expressed their opposition to the presence of outsiders in the state, brought in by local traders, despite the ban on interstate movement.
Besides HYC Diengiei circle, Nongthliew circle, and Nongpathaw and Krang units of the HYC were also present.
In a video, it was seen that the HYC members and the traders were getting at each other’s throats over the matter.
The HYC sought the intervention of police, but, apparently, the police sided with the locals and the 10 outsiders as they had obtained all necessary permissions to enter the state.
“Despite our arguments, the police refused to listen to us. They maintained that the 10 persons possess all the necessary permissions,” the organisation said.
It added that the police also warned the organisation against apprehending the group or seizing their vehicle.
Following this, the organisation has questioned the efficacy of the ban on interstate movement as people are still allowed to enter the state.
The organisation was in for another surprise as the headman of Umlidoh asked the president of HYC Nongthliew circle not interfere, given that he is not a resident of Diengiei.
The HYC said that such a statement from the Rangbah Shnong brings about division in the Khasi community, while adding that it is condemnable.
With regard to the police’s reaction, the organisation said that it suspected a nexus between the department and the local traders in bringing outsiders into the state to further spread COVID-19.