Most shops and other business establishments in Shillong were shut on Monday, at least in parts of the city, to protest last week’s terrorist attack in Pahalgam and to demonstrate solidarity with the victims.
The commercial hub of Khyndailad was almost entirely shuttered, in response to a call by the Shillong Citizens’ Forum (SCF), which was supported by other organisations.
However, down the road, shops in the more Khasi-dominated areas of Umsohsun, Wahingdoh, Riatsamthiah, Mawkhar and Jaiaw were largely open.
In contrast to the support for a shutdown, the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress and the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) have opposed the move, saying that those dependent on daily wages would be unfairly hurt by the loss of earnings.
The BJP said that while the nation was mourning the deaths, the Mahila Congress in the state demonstrated its anti-national character by allegedly opposing the shutdown.
