SHILLONG, Nov 2: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday insisted the law-and-order situation in Shillong has not deteriorated despite pressure groups violating Section 144 of the CrPC imposed after a rally turned violent.
The East Khasi Hills district administration had clamped the prohibitory order on October 31, three days after masked men assaulted people on the streets and damaged vehicles during an FKJGP rally.
Tynsong also denied the charges that the MDA Government was dealing “too softly” with the pressure groups that are defying the rules.
“The law-and-order situation is not deteriorating,” he asserted while appealing to the pressure groups to abide by the law.
Tynsong trashed the criticism that the MDA government was spineless, referring to a few arrests made in connection with the October 28 violence.
“Ours is the only government that did not let any untoward incident happen despite challenges since 2018. We have also been the most accessible on people-oriented issues,” he said.
He declined to say if the rallies are politically motivated. “Let the people judge, understand and decide for themselves,” he said.
Three people were injured during the FKJGP rally against unemployment. Images of the violence triggered fear that the tourism industry in Meghalaya could be hit.
On Tuesday, members of five pressure groups defied Section 144. The government has not clarified if any action would be taken against the groups that violated the section.
