Shillong, Sept 15: After being granted permission to witness the Meghalaya Assembly session on September 15, the members of pressure group Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) were stopped by the police at Harrison bridge on Wednesday.

The HITO members were detained leading to a mild drama.

According to reports, HITO had been granted permission to attend the session. They intend to interact with the MLAs, if possible.

According to an official, they were only following orders as directed by the Deputy Commissioner who has been asked by the Assembly Speaker to ban their entry.

HITO writes to DC seeking clarification

HITO president Donbok Dkhar has written to East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner (DC) seeking for clarification on the reasons they were stopped from visiting the Assembly.

Dkhar wrote that HITO had legally obtained 20 passes to attend the Autumn Session of the State Assembly on 15th September 2021. “However, for no rhyme or reason we were stopped on the way at Harrison Bridge by your Magistrates accompanied by police. Despite producing the passes as law abiding citizens, we were firmly prevented from proceeding further by police who claimed that they were only following your orders,” said Dkhar.

He added that the preliminary enquiry by HITO reveals that even the DC was acting upon instructions from the Assembly Commissioner Secretary, who in turn said it was under the Speaker’s direction.

If this it true, Dkhar asked, “Does that mean that the administration has no say in permitting peaceful and silent means of protest in a democracy?”

The organisation has further stated that they intend to pursue their desire of visiting the Assembly and will apply for permission from the Speaker once again.