HNLC ban extended for another five yrs

Shillong: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal has extended the ban on Khasi outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) for another five years.
The tribunal held two hearings of the case in Shillong on March 7 and April 18 and one in New Delhi on April 29, following which it confirmed extension of the ban.
Earlier during the hearings, the Centre and state government had expressed their views in favour of the ban.HNLC was banned for the first time on November 16, 2000, and over the years there have been periodical bans for two years each.
On Friday, the banned outfit threatened to call a 24-hour shutdown from 6pm on May 26. Taking a strong stand against the bandh threat issued by HNLC to press for its demand for passage of the Village Administration Bill, the state has said arrangements have been made to ensure that life is not affected during the proposed shutdown.
“The state has taken all steps to ensure that government offices, institutions and banks function normally. It also wants all private and public transport operators to ply their vehicles and all commercial establishments to function normally. Elaborate security arrangements in cities and along all highways have been made to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the proposed shutdown,” said a government statement.