Meghalaya escapes road blockade following govt decision

Shillong, Apr 25 (UNI) Khasi Students Union (KSU) has called off their agitation against the appointment of a former bureaucrat as the chairman of the Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB).

The KSU called off the stir last night after the state government revoked an earlier cabinet decision to appoint former state Chief Secretary P J Bazeley as the MeSEB chairman.

''The government decision should have come little earlier.

However, it is not too late. May be they have understood the sentiments of the people,'' KSU president Samuel Jyrwa said after the student organisation took the decision at an emergency meeting last night.

The KSU had called the road blockade, starting from last night, to protest Mr Bazeley's appointment. The first night of blockade passed off peacefully with few vehicles plying on the roads.

The decision to appoint Mr Bazeley as the MeSEB Chairman was revoked at a meeting of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) last night.

''Since Mr Bazeley has refused to accept the assignment, the matter just ends here,'' Chief Minister D D Lapang said after the meeting.

Deputy Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, who is the president of the United Democratic Party (UDP), was also present at the meeting.

It was attended by alliance partners, Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) president Martle Mukhim and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) president Paul Lyngdoh.

According to MDA sources, the Chief Minister expressed his regret for not taking the alliance partners in confidence before making the appointment offer to Mr Bazeley.

In a letter sent to the principal secretary of the Power department earlier, Mr Bazeley turned down the new post expressing his 'deep gratitude' for the 'immense faith reposed' in him.

UNI SG SP AK KN1300