Meghalaya beefs up security for I-Day

Shillong, Aug 14 (UNI) A high alert has been sounded and security forces intensified patrolling in view of various militant outfits' decision to boycott Independence Day celebrations tomorrow.

The alert was sounded in the areas bordering Assam, following attacks on Hindi-speaking people by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) militants.

The Army along with the paramilitary forces and state police also launched an offensive counter-insurgency operation in the susceptible areas bordering Assam and Meghalaya.

The BSF had also kept an extra vigil along the unfenced Indo-Bangla border to thwart any attempt by North East-based militants to sneak into India from their hideouts in Bangladesh.

In Shillong and other places in district headquarters, state police were seen conducting random checking of all vehicles following the 24-hour and 12-hour bandh called by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and Liberation Achik Elite Force (LAEF).

HNLC called bandh from 1800 hours on August 14 to 1800 hours of August 15 to ''protest the Indian Independence day celebration in Hynniewtrep land''.

Chingkam Marak, a tribal Garo militant leader of the LAEF said they had called a 12-hour bandh beginning from 0600 to 1800 hours on August 15 saying '' What have we gained all these years that such an occasion has to be celebrated?'' questioned Marak.

State Director General of Police B K Dey Sawian said full security measures had been taken and the state police were prepared to meet any eventuality.

Two additional companies of Central Paramilitary forces and state police had been pressed into service to ensure smooth conduct of the Independence Day celebrations, Mr Sawian said.

Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills District Deputy Commissioner B Dhar had promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC, prohibiting obstruction of movement of people during the period.

The order prohibited carrying of arms and other lethal weapons, besides assembly of five or more persons.

Chief Minister D D Lapang reviewed the overall law and order situation in the state and appealed to the people of the state to celebrate the Independence day fearlessly.

UNI