By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The regular bandh calls given by militant organizations during the Republic Day and Independence Day celebration has become more of a ‘formality’ for the militant organization, observed many residents of the State.
They said that though the militant organizations do their duty by calling a bandh on National Days, but over the years, public participation has been overwhelming and the boycott call turn out to be damp squib.
“Though the militants are calling a bandh on these two important days but I feel over the years public have understood what they want,” said a resident who was buying the National Tricolour from Police Bazar.
Another resident, who was also purchasing the National Tricolour, said that people have more or less defied the boycott call by militants and turned up in large numbers at the venue where the Republic Day and Independence Day programmes are organised.
“The government is at least correct in celebrating these two important days in a grand way,” she said.
An elderly resident said that the whole issue of calling a bandh depends upon a person’s perspective.
“It all depends upon a person’s mind how he/she takes the call keeping in mind that such a bandh call does not affect people’s celebration,” he said.
Agrees a private sectors employee who said that ‘consistent disregard’ of such boycott is the only solution.
“In places like Guwahati and Agartala, public participation at the National Day celebration is overwhelming,” he said.
A fast food seller from Police Bazar said that he has been selling his stuff amidst bandh calls in the past, though he keeps the doors of his shop partially open.
“There are many people who want to spend some time over a cup of coffee, rolls etc. and I have seen their presence even during a bandh which goes to show that such a boycott is slowly dying its natural death,” he said.
However, many respondents observed that there are many who like to spend the day indoor irrespective of a boycott call or not.
“It is a patriotic feeling and one can have the respect for one’s own motherland from home too,” observed a resident of Riatsamthiah.
Another resident of Upper Shillong said that people here mostly take the day as a holiday as anything that allows people to stay indoors is welcomed.
Meanwhile, the capital city witnessed less number of vehicles plying on the streets on Wednesday evening.
Though the HNLC had called for a bandh from 1 am (January 26) but public seemed to keep off the streets since evening hours on Wednesday.
It was also observed that the public were making their important purchases in the afternoon hours.
Different shops across the city were found to be engaged in doing brisk business as customers thronged their shops for their last minute purchases.
Some people, who were unaware of the ‘new bandh timings’, were also heard discussing that the bandh would begin from the evening hours of January 25.