Bandh hits life in Meghalaya, CM rushes to Delhi

Life was affected in Meghalaya's capital town and in three districts following a 12-hour bandh as Chief Minister DD Lapang rushed to Delhi to apprise the central leadership of the situation in the state arising out of the protracted agitation launched by a students' organisations.

The bandh began at 5 am today and hit normal life in the East and West Khasi Hills and Ribhoi districts, including the state capital with all business establishments, educational institutions, central government offices and banks remaining closed and vehicles keeping off the roads, police said.

Thin attendance was reported in the state government offices despite Chief Secretary PJ Bazeley yesterday directing all offices to function normally during the two days of the bandh.

A truck was torched at Mawali and stones were thrown at an ambulance, a Silchar-bound night bus and police patrol vehicles bus despite the curfew, police said.

The curfew imposed last night at the Mawlai and Lundiengjiri police station areas of Shillong was relaxed for seven hours from 11 am today, official sources said.

The council of ministers at a late night meeting yesterday took stock of the law and order scenario in the state in view of the imposition of curfew in the two areas and prohibitory orders in the Greater Shillong to prevent any major incidents during night when a "public curfew" is being held by the Khasi Students Union as part of its series of agitation on the demand for bifurcation the Meghalaya Board School Education (MBOSE).

Lapang left for Delhi to apprise the central government and central party leadership of the situation in the state. However, no official reason was given about his visit.