By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 12: Facing severe criticism over its order to impose a virtual curfew in the city after 10 pm, the state government is likely to rescind the order which came into force on Wednesday.
Tourism Minister, Paul Lyngdoh said “things are expected to change” since Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong has convened a high-level meeting on Thursday to discuss the order issued by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah requiring shops and eateries in the city to close by 10 pm.
“With due respect to the officer concerned, when you have everything open there is more safety and people can walk and feel safer. When everything is shut how will you instil that sense of confidence that everything is normal?” he questioned.
“Stray incidents are always there. Not only in Shillong, it happens in New York and Paris. It does not mean that you close everything down,” he added.
He also countered Kurbah’s statement that normally people are home by 10 pm and said that in cities like Guwahati people land up for dinner even at midnight. “You don’t call them abnormal just because they have dinner at midnight,” he reasoned.
He also questioned the impact of the order on local entrepreneurs who have turned to tourism.
“If all shops are shut at 10 pm then what will happen if hotel guests arrive at 10 and don’t get any food and are asked to hang on till breakfast next day,” Lyngdoh questioned.
He was positive that the law-and-order situation has improved tremendously and even the drug cases are under control since police have made a large number of arrests and the new anti-narcotics laws will act as a deterrent.
He also argued that policing should be heightened to allow people to move freely because confining them in their respective localities will not solve any problem but will increase cases of violence within the locality.
Vendors resist order
A heated exchange took place between vendors and police personnel when the men in boots landed at Police Bazar after 10 pm to enforce the curb order.
Several hawkers obliged and shut shop but a few were caught on camera telling police to go to the other side of Police Bazar to stop drug addicts.
When police personnel said they were merely discharging their duties, some vendors raised slogans like “Ha Ri Lajong Kat Bamon”.