Road blockade: Vehicles stay off Shillong-Dawki highway

SHILLONG, Aug 1: Normal life took a hit as vehicles, both private and passenger, stayed off the roads as the 24-hour blockade of the Shillong-Dawki national highway called by the KSU South Central Circle ended on a peaceful note with no report of any untoward incident.
The KSU called the road blockade to pressurise the state government to repair the dilapidated Shillong-Dawki highway.
The road from Laitlyngkot towards Pynursla and Dawki wore a deserted look as the road blockade that began at 5 am on Tuesday achieved overwhelming success.
Only a handful of vehicles were plying on the internal roads as KSU volunteers kept vigil on the main junctions along the otherwise busy highway. Vehicles were not allowed to enter Pynursla from either Shillong or Dawki.
There was a report of an argument between the KSU members and the owner of a fast food restaurant when the former prevented him from delivering food to the employees of the State Bank of India, Pynursla branch.
When contacted, KSU South Central Circle general secretary Ksanborlang Thabah said the road blockade was successful due to the support of the people.
“We will not hesitate to take more drastic measures if the government ignores the voice of the people to immediately repair the highway,” he said.