The West Khasi Hills district administration will convene a meeting tomorrow to decide on the course of action against the organisers of the fishing competition at Pamphyrnai in Ksehkohlong village.
“The administration has taken cognizance of the unfortunate incident and will convene tomorrow whereby appropriate action as per law will be taken,” Deputy Commissioner, Garod LSN Dykes said.
On the mandatory permission that requires organisers of fishing competitions to avail from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Dykes said, “We will also study at length on the permission given by the district council without consulting the district administration for the said fishing competition.”
In July, the KHADC has made it mandatory to take permission from it for holding fishing competitions. A notification was issue by the Fishery Department of the district council on July 16 under the United Khasi Jaiñtia District Fisheries Act, 1954 and under Rule 29 of the Assam and Meghalaya Rules, 1951 also fixed different rates as fees for granting of permission for organising of fishing competitions.
Meanwhile, West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Bikram D Marak said that the policeman seen in social media video, participating in picking up betting slips, was on security duty at the fishing pond and was not involved in betting.
It may be mentioned that thousands of people from various parts of East Khasi Hills and the three districts of West Khasi Hills thronged to reach the fishing pond that led to severe traffic congestion along the Shillong-Nongstoiñ highway on September 16.
The first prize offered was a Mahindra Thar while the second and third prizes were Maruti Alto cars.
Vehicles ferrying participants at the fishing competition were parked recklessly on both sides of the highway.
Hundreds of vehicles travelling from Shillong to Nongstoiñ and vice versa were caught in a traffic jam that lasted for many hours. Among those who were stuck in the traffic jam included ambulances, police vehicles and passenger vehicles.
Local people said that this is not the first time that a traffic jam occurred at Pamphyrnai due to fishing competitions organised in the village.
They also said that in several areas along the Shillong – Nongstoiñ highway fishing competitions are held from time to time resulting in traffic jams and ordeal to commuters including those in emergency.
Concerned citizens have questioned the West Khasi Hills authorities for turning a blind eye to this menace. “Just because of the monetary benefit of the fishing pond owners and the huge prizes won by few anglers, the public cannot be made to suffer,” a citizen said.
Others suggested that such fishing competitions should be held away from public roads or highways so that vehicles can move freely without any impediment.
Many people have also demanded a ban on fishing competitions with such huge prizes since they have become another form of gambling where people with a meagre source of income had to shell out huge amounts of money as participation fee just to win attractive prizes.
