Shillong, Aug 24: Alaya Cafe & Bar at Fire Brigade Road has denied allegations of playing loud music late into the night, clarifying that it had closed by 9:30 pm on August 21 due to unrest in the city.
The clarification came after Lower Nongthymmai resident Susan Marbaniang complained to the Governor, Chief Minister, DC and SP, East Khasi Hills, alleging repeated late-night loud music from the rooftop cafe at BM Tower, including on August 21.
“We strictly comply with the rule to lower or switch off music by 10 pm. We don’t have a music system capable of disturbing residents. On 21st August, we closed doors by 9:30 pm and did not allow guests in outdoor areas for safety reasons,” the senior management said in a statement.
The management said there is another restaurant-cum-bar across the road from which loud music complaints are regularly received, which has nothing to do with them.
Marbaniang, in her complaint, had cited the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000 which treats 10 pm to 6 am as night time, and sought verification of permissions for amplified music, scientific measurement of noise levels and surprise night inspections on weekends. She said she was not seeking closure of the business but wants it to operate without disturbing neighbours.
