MAWKYRWAT, Aug 18: Angry shopkeepers on Tuesday gheraoed the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mawkyrwat, FB Basan, accusing him of highhandedness and disrespecting women shopkeepers during an inspection at Mawkyrwat market.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at 3 PM when shopkeepers from the market numbering more than 200 surrounded the BDO, who was then compelled to enter his vehicle by angry cries of the shopkeepers.
The mob was, however, calmed after some youths and women intervened in the scene.
The shopkeepers have rejected the regulation (numbering of shops) for opening of shops at Mawkyrwat market and demanded that all shops should be allowed to open. However, the BDO said that he could not pass such an order.
Later, a meeting was held with South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, C Kharkongor, at Laitlawsang, wherein it was agreed that all shops would be allowed to open for the day.
Speaking to media persons, the frustrated shopkeepers expressed their demand for opening of shops and establishments daily citing severe economic hardships.
Moreover, they have also demanded the removal of FB Basan as the BDO overseeing the operation of shops at Mawkyrwat market while cautioning that if their demand is not met, they will cease to cooperate with the administration.
“From this day onward, we don’t want to see the face of the BDO here in Mawkyrwat market because of his attitude against poor people, especially women. Yesterday, he (BDO) was lucky that there were many women among us who protected him because the men were very angry and intended to beat him up,” a shopkeeper, M Khardewsaw, told reporters here.
On the other hand, on receiving complaints from some shopkeepers, the Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) Mawkyrwat Circle and KSU South West Khasi Hills District, on Thursday, visited almost every shop inquiring about the incident and the charges levelled against the BDO.
The Union claimed it learned from the shopkeepers that the BDO used harsh words and a tone that people despised, while also stating that a woman lost hundreds of rupees after the officials damaged her produce at the market.
“We have heard about the problems faced by our people because they could not earn their livelihood and we were told about the bad behaviour of the BDO, especially with women, which is unacceptable. If you want to be ‘Singham’, go to Bollywood because there is no place for you here. The BDO should immediately apologise to the shopkeepers for his behaviour and also for destroying their materials,” a KSU leader, Puljohn Wanniang, said.
The Union has also demanded of the district administration to find a solution to the people’s problems.
Also, the president of KSU Mawkyrwat Circle, Pauldeep Tongwah, has condemned the BDO’s behavior on behalf of the Union. “We have heard from the shopkeepers that he used derogatory words. Therefore, the Union warns one and all,” he said.
