SHILLONG, Oct 16 � The night road blockade on National Highway 40 has been called off by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) after a meeting last evening.
Two JAC members Eddie Kharnabi and David Kharnaior arrested last Thursday were also released on bail after furnishing a personal surety bond of Rs 25,000 each yesterday.
The JAC, a conglomerate of social organisations called night blockade on the National Highway and threatened to intensify agitation if the State Government did not reverse its decision to four lane the NH 40 through the existing market in Umsning.
The night road blockade began on Thursday. Another two night road blockades were scheduled on October 19 and 20 and a 12-hour bandh called on October 21. All the agitational programmes have been suspended.
The JAC wants the State Government to adhere to the National Highway Authority of India�s projected alignment that takes a bypass from the existing market at Umsning.
The social organisations suspended their agitation after the State Government formed a committee of government officials to facilitate talks between the JAC and other social organisations to clear the project�s road blocks.
�We have constituted a committee comprising of Ri-Bhoi district deputy commissioner, PWD officials and Umsning headmen to present their personal views before choosing the route � either the existing path or the bypass road,� Chief Minister Mukul Sangma informed.
