Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 27: Following stiff opposition from several quarters, the Meghalaya government today decided to write to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to deny the landing of a chartered flight of the leader of a cow protection group at Umroi airport tomorrow.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary DP Wahlang in presence of Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang, district authorities of both Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills and officials of the home department.
This came after information was received that Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Ji Maharaj will be arriving at the Shillong Airport by charter plane on Saturday. His visit to propagate a ban on cow slaughter has spared strong opposition from people of the state.
Activists of the Khasi Students’ Union and Hynniewtrep Youth Council also went to the Umroi Airport to protest against the visit of the cow protection leader.
Addressing media persons, Wahlang said, “To ensure there is no escalation of law and order in the state as well as in Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills, we have decided that we will write from the government to the Airport Authority of India to deny them landing facility for their flight tomorrow.”
“We have received information that there is a likelihood of some elements trying to land tomorrow in Umroi airport and also taking a rally in the name of protecting cows and also for ensuring cow slaughter is banned in the country. They have not taken any permission for any rally. They have not taken any permission for staging any sort of protest but we have just received that there is a possibility of chartered flight landing tomorrow in Umroi,” he said.
“We have assessed the situation all round with Ri Bhoi district after consulting the deputy commissioner as well as consulting the district authorities of Shillong, that is the decision we have taken into consideration,” the CS added.
He informed that in Shillong, East Khasi Hills, section 144 which is now section 163 of the BNSS has already been promulgated prohibiting any sort of rally and meetings and likewise Ri Bhoi district is also following on the same pattern.
Wahlang also informed that the government has also had consultation with the central puja committee (CPC), who have made it clear that they are not supporting the cow protection rally.
“They have stated unequivocally that October 2 is a very important day in the puja celebration, it is the starting of their festivity and they don’t subscribe at all as local stakeholders over here to what this rally is all about and they have not rendered any support at all. They are not aware of any rally that is going to take place, and they have stated very clearly that they do not support,” he said while adding “We have taken the local stakeholders into consideration and after applying our minds collectively, we have decided that we will write to the airport authority to deny landing.”
The chief secretary said that as part of preventive measures, police will put up nakas and checkpoints in case they try to enter from other points.
“But as I said there is no support at all even from the locals over here. The CPC has stated very clearly that they do not subscribe to their views and therefore, they are not part of it. So I am not so sure what is the game plan that they have coming all the way from outside but as far as we are concerned, we are all gear up and we are aware that there could be some escalation in the law and order front, therefore, we have prohibited the landing of the chartered flight,” he stated.
Wahlang said, “Only today in the afternoon that permission has been accorded for landing of the chartered flight We didn’t know who was coming, when they are coming and there was all speculation in fact today morning there was news that they are landing today which is totally false so we don’t go for a knee jerk reaction, we have to get specific information. After getting the information from the airport authorities then we have this high-level meeting and decide whatever steps that we are taking were taken only after getting specific inputs not on the basis conjecture.”
Order prohibiting rallies issued
The East Khasi Hills district administration today issued an order prohibiting any group from taking out a procession/rally, which may disrupt public order.
The order was passed by the district magistrate RM Kurbah after it had come to her notice that some organizations were planning to organize a Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat yatra in Shillong on October 2 and that the organizers did not seek permission for carrying out the yatra.
The district magistrate also observed that such a rally may lead to break down of law and order in the Shillong city and district.
The order has prohibited assembly of five or more people for the purpose of any rally or procession within the whole Shillong city limits, including the Shillong urban agglomeration area.
It said that the movement of an assembly of 5 or more people in any rally or procession within the whole Shillong City limits, including the Shillong Urban Agglomeration area.
“Any violation of the said order will attract penal provisions under Section 223 of the BNS, and any other as deemed fit and appropriate,” the district magistrate warned.