Security beefs up in Meghalaya ahead of 36-hour bandh

Shillong, June 10 (UNI) Security has been tightened here ahead of the 36-hour bandh called by the Khasi Student's union to protest a public hearing on uranium mining.

The hearing, to be conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board on June 12 at Nongbah Jynrin village, about 150 from here, is to elicit public opinions on uranium mining in the area.

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), who will mine the uranium ore, have claimed that the sandstone type uranium deposits in Meghalaya were the largest, richest, near-surface and low-cost discovered in India so far.

The fresh KSU-sponsored 36-hour bandh would be in force from 0500 hours tomorrow to 1700 hrs on June 12 and would be effective here to protest against the public hearing, KSU leader Mebanker Lapang said.

''Security has been tightened in all areas to ensure no obstruction of public movement during the KSU bandh hours,'' Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eastern Range A S Rynjah told UNI today.

Mr Rynjah said police guards would be provided to all state and central government establishments, including financial institutions.

State Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee said all central government offices would remain open during the bandh.

The ruling Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has directed all government employees to attend office ''without fail''.

''Pay cut would be imposed besides taking other actions against those who would not turn up in the office on the two days,'' a government statement said.

East Khasi Hills District Magistrate B Dhar said transport arrangements have been made for the public and government employees during the bandh hours with police security.

Meanwhile, the state police continued with its crackdown on KSU leaders for disturbing public order and arrested three KSU activists for obstructing public movement.

UNI