A boy playfully assumes the role of a traffic policeman during the bandh in Shillong on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Shillong, June 11: A 36-hour Meghalaya bandh, called by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to protest the public hearing on uranium mining, paralysed life in Shillong and other parts of the state today.

However, the state government said the public hearing would be held at Nongbah Jynrin, Mawthabah in West Khasi Hills district tomorrow as per schedule.

The KSU is opposing the hearing saying it “would mislead the people” on the proposed uranium mining issue.

The strike, which began at 5 this morning, paralysed the capital city, with shops, business establishments and educational institutions remaining closed and vehicles staying off the road. Attendance in government offices was poor.

No major untoward incident was reported except for a couple of stray incidents. Two KSU activists, Robinson Talang alias Siko and Ferdinand Wahlang, were arrested from Mawprem for allegedly pelting stones at vehicles near the animal husbandry and veterinary office at Lumdiengjri.

Chief minister D.D. Lapang held a high-level meeting with his cabinet colleagues today to discuss the public hearing and the overall law and order situation in the state. Lapang later told mediapersons that the public hearing would be held according to schedule.

The district administration of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi and Jaintia Hills districts has beefed up security. Two additional companies of CRPF have been sent to West Khasi Hills district to add to the security preparations for tomorrow’s public hearing.

The chief minister said all government employees who stayed away from work today would be asked to give an explanation. He added that chief secretary Ranjan Chatterjee was assessing and closely monitoring attendance at the state secretariat and other state government offices.