SHILLONG, July 29: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma defended the decision to hold the 20th annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, India Region Zone III on a Sunday, while arrangements for the arrival of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday rendered Shillong roads chock-o-block with vehicles despite it being a Sunday.
Responding to queries from several quarters, the CM reasoned that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla would only be free during weekends since the Parliament session is ongoing.
“We had limited options since the Lok Sabha Speaker could come only on the weekend,” Sangma said, while also pointing out that other state officials were also available on the weekend.
Stating that the government understands the trouble to schedule time on Sunday for people in Shillong, the CM said that specific instructions have been given to start the programme only after church services were over.
“People can attend the programme after attending the service,” the CM said. “We had requested to the CPA how adjustments could be made keeping the sentiments in mind,” Sangma said.
It may be mentioned that the traffic situation in the state capital on Saturday was woeful due to the ongoing annual conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
As soon as the meeting was over in the evening, several VIP vehicles blaring sirens were seen heading towards Hotel Marriott at Police Bazar brazenly overtaking other road users.
At Kachari point, even traffic personnel were seen guiding police vehicles escorting the VIPs.
On the other hand, Muharram processions in the city made matters worse as the traffic came to a standstill by 8 pm, especially on the stretch from Barik point till Anjalee petrol pump.
Notably, additional manpower of police trying to seriously perform their duties on the city roads has been noticed in the last few days.
