Heavy downpour and boycott call fail to dampen I-Day spirits

Braving incessant rains and a boycott call by the outlawed militant group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), hundreds of people attended the Independence Day celebration here in the state capital.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma unfurled the National Flag at the Polo grounds Ground here while his cabinet colleagues took part in Independence Day functions in various parts of the state.
Except for official vehicles and police cars, there were fewer vehicles plying in the road and shops were closed in view of the bandh called by the militants.
The rain also dampened the other shows put up in the state capital by the district administration as part of the Independence Day celebration.

There were few takers for free entries to prime tourist locations, a park and a lake here, even as several cafes and restaurants announced 50 per cent discount on food.
Except for the grand show in the state capital where several musical bands performed and a bike rally was held, the celebration was quieter elsewhere in the Khasi Jaintia Hills region.

Tight security measures were put in place in view of the shutdown called by the HNLC in the Khasi Jaintia Hills region and the ASAK militant group in the Garo Hills region, state Director General of Police Peter Hanaman said.

Both organisations were fighting for separate Hynniewtrep land for the Khasis and Garoland for the Garos respectively.
Meanwhile there was no untoward incident during the 48-hour shutdown called by the HNLC in the Khasi Jaintia Hills region to oppose against the NGT ban on coal mining and against the Independence Day celebration. The shutdown came to an end at 6 PM today.
In the Garo Hills, the celebration was marred by the bandh called by ASAK militant groups except in district headquarters where the celebration was organised.