East Khasi Hills restricts shop timings in 5 areas of Shillong to 11.30 PM

Shillong, July 13: The state government on Thursday revoked the order restricting the opening of shops, food stalls, restaurants and enterprises up to 10 pm in and around Shillong city. However, it has decided to modify the order which will now restrict opening of such businesses in three identified areas of Shillong up to 11.30pm.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong to review the law and order situation in the state capital.

“We have identified three places where we need to further strengthen the policing system. Opening of shops in these three places will be restricted up to 11.30 pm,” Tynsong told reporters.

The official order in this regard, issued by the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills, RM Kurbah, stated that five locations in the city cannot have shops open beyond 11.30 pm. They are: Hotel Assembly point up to Wards Lake via Oakland road, whole of Polo Hills, Urkaliar, Quinton Road and Eee Cee Restaurant up to Jail Road petrol pump.

“Instructions have been given to the district administration as well as to IGP to strengthen and ensure these places will be totally safe for everybody,” Tynsong said.

The decision also came after strong opposition from several quarters including Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh against the order of the government and district administration of East Khasi Hills to restrict opening of shops beyond 10 pm.

They have criticized the government for its decision to clamp entire Shillong under section 144 CrPC due to a stray incident arising out of a scuffle between two groups of people and the subsequent torching of police vehicles at Laitumkhrah police station.

Stating that law and order in the state capital is very good and it has tremendously improved, Tynsong said that there is not much to worry.

He assured that the police department along with the district administration will ensure peace and tranquillity and safety to all citizens of the state as well as tourists coming to the state.

Meanwhile, Kurbah said the earlier order which restricted opening of shops, food stalls, restaurants, enterprises up to 10 pm in and around Shillong city, stands cancelled. Also, any violation of the said order will attract penal provisions under Section 188 of the IPC, she added.