Permission not granted for rally in Kohima, Dimapur

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 23 (EMN): Even as some individuals from the state are said to be planning to join the ‘worldwide rally for freedom’ on Saturday, authorities have not granted the permission to hold the protest.

Sources said that some citizens were organising a peaceful demonstration at Old MLA Hostel in Kohima and Chümoukedima in Dimapur on Saturday against the backdrop of lockdown being imposed to curb the spread Covid-19, vaccination drive, vaccination passport and other measures in view of the pandemic that has wrecked across the world.

An activist, who wished not to be named, said that they would take part in the rally whether or not the government grant permission.

However, it is learned that authorities in both Kohima and Dimapur have not given the permission to organise the rally.

The additional deputy commissioner of Dimapur told this newspaper that the district administration would not allow such rally at Chümoukedima and the EAC would monitor the situation.

The Shillong Times has also reported that a social media post asking people in Meghalaya to join the worldwide rally for freedom, has been doing the rounds but the East Khasi Hills district administration had “termed the event as illegal”.

It quoted the district administration as saying (via a statement) that lockdowns and other restrictive measures were in place to prevent uncontrolled transmission and deaths, and that everyone has a role to play in containing the pandemic.