Three persons were today injured in a clash with the police which burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to push back a crowd that defied prohibitory orders and marched towards the main secretariat here.
The crowd marched towards the secretariat after attending a rally by Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) who were demanding roll back of the building by-laws in master plan areas in the state, which included scheduled areas and were notified in June this year.
"Three persons were injured and they were taken to the Shillong Civil Hospital for treatment," East Khasi Hills District Superintendent of Police M Kharkrang told PTI.
Hundreds of HSPDP supporters and villagers took to the streets after the rally at Malki ground and marched towards the main secretariat forcing the police to resort to tear gassing and lathi charge to disperse them.
The one week deadline by the two outfits to withdraw the imposition of the Meghalaya building by-laws in scheduled areas (areas under the jurisdiction of district councils) of the state ended yesterday.
A three member delegation of the protestors was allowed to meet Home Minister Roshan Warjri and Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh.
The ministers clarified that the building by-laws were being implemented in the master plan areas of the state taking into consideration the safety aspect of buildings coming up there, an official in the Urban Affairs Department told PTI.
They also assured that the by-laws would be discussed threadbare and awareness created about them, he said.
HSPDP legislator and KHNAM leader Latiplang Kharkongor briefed the crowd about the talks.
The by-laws are being imposed in the capital town of Shillong, Tura, Garo Hills, Jowai in Jaintia Hills and Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district.
