By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 11: The state government’s ambitious dream of making Meghalaya a $10 billion economy through revolutionary transformation in the tourism sector seems to have been nipped in the bud. A case of drunken rowdyism at Laitumkhrah on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday has brought the government and the district administration down to its knees and blown the cover off the government’s tall claims of having complete control over the law-and-order situation.
After ordering closure of all shops and eateries in the city by 10 pm, the government on Tuesday went a step further and conceded that “Shillong is no longer safe” and that “people should be inside their homes after 10 pm”.
East Khasi Hills District Magistrate, RM Kurbah defended her order for the closure of all commercial establishments, including eateries, in Shillong by 10 pm, saying, “Even we don’t feel safe at all to go back home after 10 pm.”
“We see people moving in vehicles with loud music, creating noise and fear among the young and the old who are out on the streets,” she said while adding that the workers also deserve to be with their families after 10 pm.
Kurbah said she received information about unruly behaviour and incidents of arson in the city in recent times.
Shillong is a tourist destination. Hundreds of tourists normally roam about the city and enjoy delicacies at Khyndailad and other localities even at 10 pm every day.
Kurbah, however, justified her move saying the police cannot be there at every nook and corner of the city. She said the order was issued after studying various factors. She said some people move out after 10 pm because there is an opportunity. She said the order will be strictly implemented.
Denying that it is a punishment for all because of a few, Kurbah said the administration is concerned about the safety of the citizens. She said there is also the issue of drug abuse. “Everything happens in darkness. We want to curb all issues, so we passed the order,” she said, hoping that there will now be some sanctity.