Meghalaya tightens security ahead of road blockade

Shillong, Jun 18 (UNI) Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of the Khasi Student's Union (KSU)-sponsored five -day-night road blockade in the three districts of Meghalaya to force the government to release their jailed Union members.

The road blockade, beginning from 1700 hours tomorrow and ending at 0500 hours of June 23, would be effective daily in East, West Khasi Hill and Ri-Bhoi districts, KSU leader Mebanker Lapang said.

Mr Lapang said the road blockade would also affect the National Highways- 40 and 44, the life line of Mizoram, Tripura, Barak Valley of Asom and parts of Manipur.

Last week, the state government arrested five KSU activists and booked them under Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act (MPDA) for disrupting public peace during the recent KSU agitations over the uranium mining issue.

Chief Minister D D Lapang had also assured safe flow of traffic on the Highways. ''We would like to see that the agitations do not affect the neighbouring states which depend on the highway for transport of passengers and goods'', Mr Lapang said.

'' We have directed all superintendents in the three districts to intensify patrol and maintain special vigil to ensure smooth movement of vehicles, '' Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eastern Range A S Rynjah told UNI here today.

Mr Rynjah assured that all vehicles plying through the National Highways would be provided with police escorts.

The police official said the hunt for KSU top leaders would continue and they too would be booked under MPDA for three years if arrested.

However, the KSU warned of intensifying if the government failed to release the arrested KSU leaders within this period.

'' If the government still does not release our arrested members within this period, the KSU would have no other option but to intensify its agitation to secure their release, '' Mr Lapang said.

The five KSU activists booked under the Preventive Detention Act included its Organising Secretary Daniel Khyriem.

Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills district Deputy Commissioner B Dhar told reporters here that the district administration will not cow down to KSU pressure to release their members.

''We are no more in the 15th century and we will not cow down to such pressure, the KSU can approach the Court for their release,'' Mr Dhar said.

UNI