Shillong, May 17 – Students bodies, political parties and a rebel group have called back to back bandhs for three days in Meghalaya from Tuesday to protest the police action at Langpih on Friday which left four dead.
Several NGOs, including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), called a 24-hour bandh from 5 am on Tuesday, the United Democratic Party (UDP), a constituent of the Congress-led ruling Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) has called for 12-hour bandh from 5 am on Wednesday. The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has called for a 12-hour bandh from 5 am on Thursday.
The Meghalaya Government, meanwhile, has decided to take up the killing of four villagers in Langpih by Assam police with the Centre.
Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said here last night that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma would soon meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to demand Central Government’s intervention and deployment of para-military forces in the disputed village on the inter-State border.
“The situation is still tense, but the Meghalaya Government is doing its best to instill confidence in the minds of the villagers by deploying one company of Meghalaya police,” Lyngdoh said.
NCP leader PA Sangma demanded legal action against the Assam Police. “Meghalaya Government must register a case against the Assam Police and initiate legal action,” the veteran leader said criticising the Chief Minister for not visiting the disturbed area.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, in a statement last night said, “political parties are trying to politicize the issue whereas they should react responsibly in this hour of crisis.” – PTI
3-day Meghalaya bandh from today
