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| Children play on a deserted street during the bandh in Shillong on Tuesday. Picture by UB Photos |
Shillong, Oct. 9: The city today came to a standstill as residents responded to the 12-hour strike called by the Hynńiewtrep A’chik National Movement.
Government offices, including the state secretariat, educational institutions, banking and business establishments also remained shut since morning.
The pressure group had imposed the strike from 5am to 5pm in all districts of Khasi-Jaintia Hills to pressure the Meghalaya government to take up the release of its arrested member, Kodios Thongni, with Assam.
Assam police arrested Thongni, the president of the movement, western (Ri Bhoi) zone, on September 20 for his alleged involvement in an arson case.
A mob had set on fire the office of the Assam Forest Protection Force at Umthna, Patharkhmah Ri Bhoi District on July 2. The group claimed that unknown criminals had set the office on fire. State home minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh told reporters that Assam police had an arrest warrant against Thongni.
“He is wanted by Assam police in a criminal case,” Lyngdoh said, adding that it is upto the court to grant bail to the arrested person.
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