Shillong, Aug 24: The District Magistrate of East Jaintia Hills has banned protests of five or more people in and around the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Khliehriat.
The DM, Manish Kumar, in an order passed issued today, said that information has been received regarding planned protests/demonstrations of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) near the DC’s office and, anticipating that this may lead to public disturbances, it is necessary to prevent them from taking place.
The DC’s office is a government office and an important public institution and it is necessary to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of official functions, free movement of officers, staff and members of the public and the safety and security of persons and property within its premises, the order said.
Therefore, Kumar has banned the gathering of five or more people in the vicinity of the DC’s office for the purpose of conducting or participating in any protest, demonstration, sit-in demonstration, dharna, public meeting or other gathering which is likely to disturb public peace, public order or tranquillity.
Furthermore, carrying, possessing or displaying sticks, lathis, daos, firearms, ammunition, explosive substances, inflammable materials, or any other lethal weapon or object capable of being used as a weapon, or any article likely to cause injury or damage to persons or property, is strictly prohibited.
Any act, conduct, slogan, speech or activity by any individual or group which is likely to disturb public order, peace and tranquillity, including provocation, intimidation, incitement to violence or confrontation, is strictly prohibited.
No person or group shall obstruct, impede or interfere with the free movement of pedestrians, vehicles, emergency services, government officials, or essential services within the area. No person shall commit, attempt to commit, abet or facilitate any act resulting in damage to or destruction of public or private property.
The promulgation of the ban would seemingly also apply to any group other than the KSU that had been planning such a demonstration. Recently, the district has become convulsed by the holding of a public hearing into a proposed cement factory-cum-limestone quarry, which the government pushed through in the face of much public opposition.
