People defy bandh call, join Republic Day celebrations

SHILLONG: Thousands of people today defied a bandh call given by a separatist outfit and joined the 65th Republic Day celebrations in Meghalaya amid tight security.

Unfurling the tri-colour here, Governor K K Paul expressed "anxiety" over the four month-long agitation by pressure groups to demand implementation of Inner Line Permit and the spurt of militant activities in Garo Hills region of the state.

"The internal security scenario in the state has been by and large satisfactory but one of anxiety," he said while highlighting the initiatives of the state government in positively engaging with the NGOs to "find out a pragmatic and an effective mechanism to deal with the issue of influx".

While the Republic Day functions witnessed good turnout in the district and sub-divisional headquarters, shops and business establishments remained closed in Khasi-Jaintia region, partly in response to the 16-hour bandh call given by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).

Making a call to maintain peace, Paul said, "I urge the GNLA leadership that this is the most opportune time to restore peace and normalcy in Garo Hills."