SHILLONG: Taking strong cognizance of the four-day office picketing call by the proscribed HNLC, the State Government on Tuesday appealed the public in general and Government employees in particular to refrain from paying heed to this unreasonable call and to carry on with their daily activities without any fear or apprehension of reprisals.
“Government takes this opportunity to appeal to all the citizens in the State to firmly denounce such anti-social acts, and to assist the law enforcing machinery in the dutiful discharge of its obligations,” a Government statement said on Tuesday.
The statement also reiterated the Government’s commitment to maintain law and order at all costs and to ensure that the security of its citizens is not compromised in any way.
Police ready to foil any disruption attempt by outfit
The East Khasi Hills police have geared up to thwart any disruption during the four-day shutdown in government offices called by HNLC. “We will see that no crime is committed anywhere,” East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang said on Tuesday.
HNLC has called a shutdown in government offices on May 8, 9, 12 and 13 if arrested HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani and four others are not released immediately. HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw had earlier said the police should release the arrested persons unconditionally.
Kharkrang said the police would ensure full security cover and thwart any move of the militant outfit to disrupt normalcy. Nongtraw had sent the statement from a foreign country, the police said.
Common people wondered if the shutdown in government offices would also cause a disruption in public life. “I was scheduled to take my father outside the State for treatment on May 8 but now it seems we may have to move tomorrow,” a person said. Another wondered if it would be possible to take his mother to Silchar.
HANM supports HNLC’s office picketing call
The HANM has lent its support to the four-day office picketing called by the banned militant outfit HNLC to secure the release of its president Lamphrang Kharbani, who was arrested for his alleged links with the once-dreaded terror group.
The HNLC had announced a four-day office picketing on May 8, 9, 12 and 13 demanding the release of Kharbani and four others who were arrested from Rangthong, South West Khasi Hills, on May 2.
“We strongly condemn police allegation against our president of having links with the HNLC,” HANM general secretary Damonmi S. Dkhar said in a statement here.
