Shillong June 13: The district administration of East Khasi Hills District has prohibited holding of demonstration/rally within 200 metres radius of the Meghalaya secretariat building, additional secretariat building and Raj Bhavan.
The order issued by the District Magistrate RM Kurbah came after a surprise protest staged by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) in front of the Meghalaya secretariat building on Friday. The protest was against the government’s failure to implement the inner line permit (ILP) and setting up of the special investigation team (SIT) to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshi nationals in the state.
The order said it has heen observed that several NGOs, groups, organisations carry out processions/rallies/demonstrations within the district from time to time.
“…such demonstration if allowed to be held will cause obstruction, hinder the movement of traffic and lead to crowding and congestion and may also result in disturbance of public peace and tranquillity,” it said.
The order issued under 163 BNSS accordingly prohibited any person or group of person for holding demonstration/rally within 200 metres radius of the Meghalaya Secretariat building, Additional Secretariat building and Raj Bhavan Shillong.
It also prohibited carrying of arms and any other lethal weapons or any other item/materials having the potential to be used as a weapon which can likely cause grievous injury or harm to any person(s).
Further, the order warned that any violation of the said order will attract penal provisions under Section 223 of the BNS and any other Section as deemed fit and appropriate.