The East Khasi Hills district administration has backed down over two unpopular orders, namely the regulation of opening hours of shops, food stalls, restaurants and the odd-even rule that was to apply to taxis and other public transport.
Both orders were extremely unwelcome and the public transport order had been completely ignored.
Today, after aggrieved taxi drivers protested at the Shillong Civil Hospital junction, causing a massive traffic jam, the District Magistrate officially ordered that the regulation was to be “kept on hold”.
The odd-even rule was meant to ease traffic from Kachari Point towards Police Bazar and Motphran by halving the number of taxis and buses entering the busy commercial area. However, the order was slammed by those who condemned the restriction on public transport while private cars were free to jam up the roads as normal.
Taxis had largely ignored the order in any case and the administration appeared to have little stomach (or ability) to enforce it.
The other climbdown was just as embarrassing for the authorities as it comes just a day after the order came into force. Following an incident of wanton violence in Laitumkhrah last week, the District Magistrate took the draconian decision to force all eateries and other establishments in Shillong to close shop by 10pm, claiming this would forestall any further untoward incidents.
This order led to another wave of criticism, with even Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh coming out against it, saying that it would harm local businesses and tourists alike. It also opened up the government to charges of not being able to maintain adequate law and order in the state capital.
Today, the District Magistrate modified the restriction, cancelling the July 10 notice but restricting eateries and other establishments in five specified areas to remain open until 11:30pm only.
These areas are from Hotel Assembly to Wards Lake via Oakland Road, the whole of Polo Hills, Urkaliar, Quinton Road and from EC Restaurant up to the Jail Road petrol pump. This modified order comes into effect today.
Notably, Laitumkhrah, where last week’s violence occurred, and much of Police Bazar have not been included in the modification.
Speaking to reporters, East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA) representative Wandonbok Jyrwa said, “We will never accept the odd-even formula because our taxes have never been pardoned. This is a public service and there are only around 5,000 commercial taxis in the district while there are more than 2.33 lakh private vehicles as per the DTO and the odd-even formula should apply to the private vehicles and not us.”
