Shillong, Jun 6 : The situation in Shillong is limping back to normalcy on Tuesday
after the Meghalaya government assured on forming a high-level committee to deal
with the issues of the relocation of the residents of the Punjabi Lane.
The Meghalaya government also assured to take action against the accused who
reportedly assaulted Khasi youths at the Punjabi Lane.
It may be mentioned that the National Commission for Minorities will send a member
to Shillong to investigate the clashes between residents of the Punjabi Lane and drivers
of the state-run buses.
The panel has decided to send its member Manjit Singh Rai to Shillong to assess the
situation, as informed by NCM chief Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar mentioned that following the
communication of the legislators to the protesters, it appears that the majority of the
protesters have decided to return.
Dkhar said he will conduct a meeting on Tuesday to discuss whether to relax the
curfew or not.
A delegation of hawkers met Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma and
discussed their demands on behalf of the protesters.
A delegation of legislators comprising local MLA Adelbert Nongrum, state minister
Banteidor Lyngdoh and chairman of state planning board Lambor Malngiang
interacted with the protesters and conveyed the decision of the government to the
gathering.
It may be mentioned that the riot-like situation erupted after few ladies from the
Punjabi Lane, who were fetching water, got into an argument with the drivers of the
government-run buses on Thursday last. The womens alleged that they were
eve-teased following which a scuffle broke out between the drivers and the locals
of the area.
The situation turned out of control in the evening when a group of around 200-300
locals came to the Punjabi Lane and started pelting stones at the police personnel
after they tried to stop the mob. From anti-riot vehicles and fire tenders to tear gas
shells, the police tried their best to control the situation.
UNI.
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