48-hour bandh call off in Meghalaya

Shillong, Apr 18 (UNI) The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) postponed its proposed 48-hour bandh scheduled to begin from 1800 hours this evening in Meghalaya's Khasi Jaintia Hills.

The bandh was called to protest against the arrest of the HNYF President G H Kharshanlor under Meghalaya Prevention Detention Act (MPDA).

''We have decided to keep the proposed agitation in abeyance following the government assurance to release our president,'' HNYF Political Secretary S Blah told reporters after holding meeting with East Khasi Hills District Magistrate B Dhar.

Mr Blah however, warned the government if their leader was not released, the Front would start fresh agitation to press the government for his release.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate, B Dhar, told reporters that he had asked the HNYF leaders who called on him this afternoon to submit a representation urging the government to release Mr Kharshanlor.

Mr Dhar said the detention of HNYF President, Joint Action Coordination Committee Chairman Augustine Shanpru and five others apprehending that there may be a breakdown of law and order during their sponsored 60-hour road blockade.

Both the organisations called the blockade to protest against the astronomical rates of the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP).

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.

UNI