SHILLONG, May 13 � The sit-in demonstration organised by the 13 pro-Inner Line Permit (ILP) organisations passed off peacefully here today. However, a simultaneous office picketing called by a political party failed to evoke much response.
The organisations have demanded from the Meghalaya Government that the Khasi Students� Union (KSU) president Daniel Khyriem be released from jail and all charges against him be dropped.
The sit-in was held to pressurise the Government which has so far showed no inclination to release the KSU leader. Today, several members of these 13 organisations sat before the Additional Secretariat here from 10 am to 4 pm as a protest.
Later, president of Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) Joe Marwein said the leaders of the 13 organisations would be sitting one of these days and decide on the future course of action. The other protesting organisations include, KSU, Garo Students� Union and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front.
Coinciding with the sit-in demonstration was an office picketing in Khasi-Jaintia Hills organised by the Hill State People�s Democratic Party, which failed to evoke much response. HSPDP wants the Government to empower the traditional institutions.
The Deputy Commissioner�s office and the Secretariat functioned normally; however, the Central Government offices and banks remained paralysed as employees stayed away. Meanwhile, the State Government has asked the Government employees not to pay heed to the office picketing called by the HSPDP.
It said the Government is firmly committed to maintain law and order at all costs and ensure safety of the citizens. �Government employees are advised not to pay any heed to this unreasonable call and to come out as they would on any normal day and carry on with their daily activities without any fear or apprehension of reprisals,� a statement said.
