SHILLONG, May 18 � The State Government has asserted that provisions of the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Act (MMPO) will be invoked against leaders of an organisation who have called a two-day shutdown in the Garo Hills region demanding early elections in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
The All Achik Youth Federation had threatened to launch a series of agitations which began with a poster campaign today followed by a non-cooperation movement on May 19 and 20. The AAYF has also called a night road blockade during these days which will continue till May 21.
�The district administration will invoke provisions and penal sections of the MMPO (Amendment) Act, 2013 to deal with any threat, intimidation or forced closure as well as loss to economy and business,� West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said. Since security have been beefed up to thwart any attempt to disrupt peace, he said, instructions have been issued to the State and Central Government institutions to remain open and functional.
The AAYF�s earlier ultimatum which ended May 15, demanded the State Government to dissolve the present GHADC executive committee as well as to fix the date for election to the Council which has been extended thrice since last year in the hope to accommodate surrendered militants. � PTI
