With anti-uranium mining protests led by Khasi Students Union (KSU) gathering steam, Meghalaya is witnessing chaos and turbulence. The ongoing two-day night-road-blockade by KSU has affected movement of inter-state traffic on NH 40 and NH 44, which connects states of Mizoram and Tripura with Guwahati.
Many vehicles plying on both the highways, especially night inter-state passenger busses and trucks, were left stranded yesterday. There were reports of torching of vehicles by miscreants. When contacted, some truck organisations said they would not ply their vehicles tonight as a precautionary measure. The night blockade is due to resume again at 9 pm tonight.
Respective district administrations in Meghalaya have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in view of the blockade. Security has been tightened across the state, said Meghalaya’s principal secretary (home) Barkos Warjri.
Wajri said that the government would deploy extra security forces at sensitive places to foil attempts of night blockade.
He said that superintendent of police of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts had been asked to ensure free movement of traffic. Samuel Jyrwa, president of KSU, said they opposed uranium mining as it would “degrade” environment and cause health hazards.
