Picketing: State attendance good, central affected

Shillong, December  13: The one day statewide office picketing called by the thirteen pro-Inner Line Permit (ILP) ngos on Friday had only lukewarm response compared to earlier times as most of the state offices registered good turnout with most of  the employees in different districts of the state reporting for works.

However financial institutions and strangely central government offices were adversely affected with most of its employees deciding to stay indoors.

The thirteen pro-ILP ngos had called for the one day office picketing to demand for the implementation of the ILP in the state to control influx.

The overall attendance of government employees was little below normal, official sources claimed.

Offices in East Khasi hills recorded = 55 percent attendance which is good compared to earlier attendances, 35 percent in Ri Bhoi, West Jaintia Hills – 82, East Jaintia Hills – 70, East Garo Hills – 10 percent, South West Khasi Hills – 62 and West Khasi Hills offices had a holiday because of the birth anniversary of Sib Sing..

Official sources the attendance in government secretariats was good.

Similarly, in four districts of Garo hills region – North, South, South West and West Garo Hills Districts, the attendance of employees were 100 percent.

However, the normal functioning of the central government offices, banks and other financial institutions in the state capital was adversely affected as most of the employees remained home.

Security in all the districts had been tightened with increase in police patrolling. No untoward incident was reported from any parts of the state till filing of this report.  The presence of police personnel were seen in all government offices identified as vulnerable to attacks by activists.- By Our Reporter