CM urges NGOs to withdraw "night curfew"

Shillong, Mar 13 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang today appealed to five agitating NGOs to withdraw their indefinite 'night curfew' which would start this evening against his reinstatement as the Chief Minister of the state last week.

The 'night curfew,' which starts from 1900 to 0500 hours, will affect Tripura, Mizoram, Barak Valley of Asom and Manipur.

On Saturday, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front(HNYF), Ri-Bhoi Students' Union(RBSU), Khasi Jaintia Welfare Association, (KJWA), Garo Students Union (GSU) and Federation of Ri-War Mihngi at a joint rally in Motpran decided to sponsor the 'night curfew'.

However, the KJWA has withdrawn its support to the blockade later.

''The proposed night road blockade will affect not only the state but also traffic of Asom, Mizoram and Tripura,'' Mr Lapang said and appealed to the NGOs to come forward for talks instead of agitating over the change of leadership in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

Mr Lapang also said that the government is bound to clear the National Highway from any kind of obstructions.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of state's East Khasi Hills B Dhar has imposed section 144 CrPC prohibiting the obstruction to movement of vehicles, carrying of arms and other lethal weapons and assembly of five or more persons in the wake of the indefinite ''night curfew''.

State's West Garo Hills District Deputy Commissioner P Sampath Kumar said arrest warrants would be issued against the GSU leaders if they do not withdraw the blockade.

UNI