BSF stage march in Shillong

Shillong, April 25 (IANS) Border Security Force (BSF) personnel Wednesday staged a march in this mountainous capital of Meghalaya in the wake of a two-day road blockade in four districts called to press for deletion of "doubtful" voters from the electoral rolls.

"A patrolling march has been staged by BSF troopers in certain areas of Shillong city to instill confidence in general mind of the public," Meghalaya Director General of Police N Ramachandran told IANS.

He added: "Adequate security arrangements have been made to prevent any outbreak of law and order situation during the road blockade. Security personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas and on the national highways to prevent picketers from obstructing vehicular movement."

Three influential social organisations - the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People, the Khasi Students Union and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front - have sponsored the two-day-night road blockade from 8 p.m to 5 a.m Wednesday and Thursday demanding deletion of names of "doubtful" voters from the electoral rolls.

District authorities in East Khasi Hills also imposed prohibitory orders banning assembly of more than five persons, obstruction movement of vehicles and carrying of arms and any other lethal weapons that can cause grievous injury to any person.

The Meghalaya government has requisitioned one company of BSF troopers to assist authorities in securing peace after a series of arson attacks since Monday.

Meanwhile, unidentified arsonists hurled petrol bombs on a government vehicle, a truck and a cowshed. An official vehicle of Meghalaya Assembly Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai was set on fire by arsonists Tuesday.

National Highways No.40 and 44, the lifelines for landlocked Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Manipur and southern Assam, are likely to be affected by the road blockade.

Meanwhile, district magistrate of East Khasi Hills Sanjay Goyal said: "Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the entire district in view of the road blockade which will cause obstruction, annoyance and inconvenience to the general public which may result in disturbance of peace and public tranquility or a riot or an affray unless immediately prevented."

Goyal said instructions have been given to government officials to park their vehicles in safer areas or near police stations.

Meanwhile, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh has appealed to the agitating organisations to take recourse to avenues provided under the law and not to resort to agitation, which causes immense hardship to the general public.