Meghalaya: Women held for violation of Section 144

Shillong, July 4: Hundreds of women were arrested for gathering outside the Meghalaya secretariat, violating Section 144 of CrPC, even as the state police beefed up security in the state capital.

The protesting women were manhandled by the police personnel, after the agitators refused to enter inside a requisitioned police bus.

The protestors under the banner of Ka Synjuk Ki Seng Longkmie (SKSL) or Federation of Mother's Union staged a 'court arrest' demanding unconditional release of arrested Khasi Student's Union (KSU) activists.

The protestors also shouted slogans demanding immediate release of arrested KSU activists.

Last month, the state government had arrested 17 KSU activists, and booked them under Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act (MPDA) and non-bailable cases for protesting the June 12 public hearing on Uranium mining at Nongbah Jynrin in West Khasi Hills district.

''We have organised this protest to demand the unconditional release of the student activists, which the government had assured us,'' SKSL General Secretary Wandana Jyrwa said.

A fortnight ago, Chief Minister D D Lapang ordered the Home department to release all the arrested student activists on the recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Public Grievances' to set free the arrested KSU activists and refrain from further crackdown on them.

Ms Jyrwa, however, alleged that the government violated its assurance by not releasing the arrested activists unconditionally.

East Khasi Hills District Deputy Commissioner B Dhar said the women protestors were arrested for violating Section 144 of the CrPC, which banned assembly of more than five people.

''They have been arrested and they will be release as per the law,'' he said.

The Deputy Commissioner asserted that the over-all law and order situation is under control and the district administration has taken all steps to ensure that there is no room for breakdown.

Asked about the demand of the protestors, Mr Dhar reiterated his stand that the release of the student activists rest on the state government and the Court.

''The government cannot give any order to the court to release those activists who are now under judicial custody,'' he said, urging KSU's family members to apply for bail to release them.

Meanwhile, the Mother's Union has threatened to intensify further agitations to press the unconditional release of the student's activists.

UNI