EKH DC justifies bar on LS poll victory rallies

SHILLONG, May 28: The East Khasi Hills district administration has maintained that the order to impose Section 144 of the CrPC on June 4 only bars celebration processions and rallies.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, SC Sadhu told The Shillong Times on Tuesday that the order to be in force till 4 pm on June 6 does not prohibit other forms of celebration at the local level.
Making it clear that the district administration is not against celebrations, he said the order was issued in the context of law and order and traffic convenience for the general public and normal commuters.
The deputy commissioner also said only one political party has so far given in writing its reservation about this order.
“Another political party expressed its views against the order in the newspapers,” he added.
Replying to a query, Sadhu said the district authority imposed Section 144 of the CrPC at the counting centre, where only authorised people would be allowed to enter.
He added that the gathering of people near the counting centre would also not be allowed.
“We will have a system of providing data live on the trends at different locations of the district,” he said.
He said letting people gather around the counting area would lead to traffic snarls, inconveniencing the general public on a working day.
Earlier, the Voice of the People Party had condemned the June 4 restrictions with its general secretary, Ricky AJ Syngkon, accusing the district administration of “authoritarianism” and depriving citizens of their democratic right to participate in the electoral process.
The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation also criticised the decision, terming it “disproportionate and unwarranted”.