Shillong, Jun 4: Shillong, particularly the Polo stretch, witnessed mayhem on the roads on Thursday when traffic was disrupted due to temporary restrictions on vehicular movement during the transit of VIPs and VVIPs.
In the Polo area police abruptly blocked all traffic from 10:30am in anticipation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s and other dignitaries’ arrival in the city, leaving office-goers, students and bikers stranded for over an hour with no prior warning as public roads morphed into VVIP roads.
The roads were cleared for the VVIPs to zoom through ISBT, Mawroh, Golf Link and Polo en route to the State Convention Centre, where the 73rd plenary session of the North Eastern Council was being held.
Furious commuters abandoned vehicles and confronted magistrates on duty as endless honking echoed through Polo.
A traffic advisory had been issued by the authorities yesterday but this focused on traffic diversions and road closures closer to the State Convention Centre. There was no mention of a road closure on other roads.
Long lines of cars, two-wheelers and other vehicles were stuck at different intersections, prevented from moving by a strong police presence. Tempers, understandably, flared.
Past years have seen similar instances of roads closed for VVIPs and there is a daily experience of police-escorted ministers, military officers, civil servants and the like using their sirens to zip through traffic while the public are expected to stop and give way to the high and mighty.
Commuters do not like this on any day but today the anger was stronger. Many were seen arguing with officials from the administration and police personnel on the ground.
“This is an abuse of power. They’ve crushed us, the public,” shouted one man stuck since 10am. “Shift this road to their house or declare a state holiday! How far does this VIP culture go?”
Another commuter fumed: “Why is Amit Shah so afraid of us? Our public won’t throw even one stone… Who pays for the half hour he stole from us? Better vote for change in 2028.”
There were heated arguments between citizens and officials, with police promising “five more minutes” repeatedly as the public’s frustration grew.
This journalist decided to ditch her car and use public transport because of the extensive checking and the hassle of finding parking space, which, during events like these are often miles away from the venue. Sitting in a shared maxi cab, there was a palpable sense of frustration among the public, with the driver suggesting that authorities should allow a few cars to pass before the next convoy arrives so that it would result in less congestion later when the road closures are lifted. Indeed, there was severe traffic congestion once restrictions on certain routes were withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has condemned the recurring inconvenience and hardship caused to the people of Meghalaya, particularly in Shillong.
HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem in a statement said, “The time has come to end the culture of VIP entitlement and adopt a more people-centric approach. Security protocols must be implemented in a manner that minimises disruption to normal life and respects the rights of ordinary citizens.”
He said while the HYC recognises the need for adequate security arrangements, such measures must not come at the cost of public convenience and dignity. “The people of Meghalaya are not second-class citizens in their own State. Public roads are meant for public use and not to be routinely blocked whenever a VIP convoy passes through,” he added.
HYC has urged the government and security agencies to review existing protocols and ensure that public inconvenience is reduced to the absolute minimum during VIP visits.
