Meghalaya government revives public grievances to deal with NGOs

Shillong, Apr 17 (UNI) The Meghalaya government today revived the Cabinet Committee on Public Grievances in the wake of two NGOs threatening to launch agitation in protest against the arrest of their leaders.

This decision was taken by the Cabinet to deal with the present situation in order to create a peaceful atmosphere, Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters here after the cabinet meeting.

However, the government did not decide on whether to release arrested leaders, Mr Lyngdoh who is also government spokesman said.

He said the Cabinet Committee on Public Grievances headed by Social Welfare Minister Martle N Mukhim would also soon meet the agitating to discuss on their demands.

Yesterday, the police arrested Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) G H Kharshanlor, Joint Action Coordination Committee Chairman Augustine Shanpru and five others for calling a 60-hour road blockade in protest against the astronomical rates of the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP).

Police had booked Mr Kharshanlor and Mr Shanpru under the Meghalaya Prevention Detention Act (MPDA).

Mr Lyngdoh said that NGOs leaders were arrested apprehending of breakdown of law and order in view of the proposed 60-hour blockade, supposed to start from today.

The proposed blockade was to disrupt traffic on the state's Khasi-Jaintia Hills, including the National Highways 40 and 44, the life-line of Mizoram, Tripura, Barak Valley of Asom and parts of Manipur.

Meanwhile, the HNYF and JACC separately threatened to call a 48-hour bandh from 1800 hours tomorrow if the government failed to release its president.

Similarly, the JACC, a conglomerate of various transport associations, had decided to launch fresh agitation if their six members, including their Chairman Augustine Shanpru, were not released within two days.

Meanwhile, differences among the JACC members have created tter confusion among the people over the 60-hour blockade.

Last evening, president of Civil Society Women's Organisation Irene Hujon, part of the JACC, said that the blockade had been called off in view of the government decision to review the rates of the HSRP.

However, the Shillong Region Taxi Owners and Driver Association, assistant general secretary, Amphil Shullai today claimed the road blockade was very much in force even as all vehicles in the city plied normally.

UNI