Groups shut down functional USTM, banks

SHILLONG, June 22: Pressure groups on Wednesday shut down various institutions for remaining functional on Thomas Jones Day, while calling it a blatant disrespect to the Father of the Khasi alphabet.
In Ri-Bhoi, the KSU RIST-USTM Unit shut down the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) for remaining open on a state holiday.
KSU president Nestalcalvin Thongni said that they are discontented with the university administration for disrespecting the day when the state pay tributes to the Father of the Khasi alphabet.
The KSU also questioned the USTM for conducting normal classes despite the state government declaring holiday in seven districts.
The KSU president also informed that the union members have also called on the university’s deputy registrar and urged him to ensure that the university complies with the state holidays.
The scene was no different in West Jaintia Hills where members of the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) and Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) shut down banks and private institutions for functioning on Thomas Jones Day.
The institutions that were shut down in the district include Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Apex Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank,Meghalaya Rural Bank, Bank of India, North East Small Finance Bank, UCO Bank, Jowai Co-operative Urban Bank, IDBI Bank, Union Bank, Canara Bank, Financial Services of the Mahindra & Mahindra Finance, Cholamandalam Finance, and IndusInd Bank.
The pressure groups also warned the institutions against remaining functional on state holidays.