Editor,
I am compelled to strongly oppose the district administration’s repeated decision to permit public meetings and agitations in Motphran or Khyndailad. These locations are not just ordinary spaces, they are the lifeline of Shillong. Allowing such gatherings in these areas repeatedly throws the city into chaos, crippling traffic, obstructing movement, and punishing ordinary citizens who have every right to use the roads freely.
Democracy does not mean disorder. While the right to protest is fundamental, it cannot be exercised by holding an entire city hostage. The administration’s leniency is irresponsible, and the organizers themselves must recognise that their actions are infringing upon the rights of thousands of others. Freedom of expression cannot come at the cost of strangling public life.
It is imperative that the government immediately designate specific venues for protests and public meetings, open spaces that allow voices to be heard without paralyzing the city. Anything less is a failure of governance and a betrayal of the public trust.
F Lyngkhoi
via email
