Meghalaya Govt writes to AAI  to deny landing of chartered flight of cow protection leader at Umroi airport

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 27, 2024

Following stiff opposition from several quarters, the Meghalaya government hold a high-level meeting on Friday and decided to write to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to deny the landing of a chartered flight of leader of cow protection group at Umroi airport on Saturday.

Addressing media persons , Chief Secretary DP Wahlang said, “To ensure there is no escalation of law and order in the state as well as in Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills, we have decided that we will write from the government to the Airport Authority of India to deny them landing facility for their flight tomorrow.”

“We have received information that there is a likelihood of some elements trying to land tomorrow in Umroi airport and also taking a rally in the name of protecting cows and also for ensuring cow slaughter is banned in the country. They have not taken any permission for any rally. They have not taken any permission for staging any sort of protest but we have just received that there is a possibility of chartered flight landing tomorrow in Umroi,” he said.

“We have assessed the situation all round with Ri Bhoi district after consulting the deputy commissioner as well as consulting the district authorities of Shillong, that is the decision we have taken into consideration,” the CS added.

He informed that in Shillong, East Khasi Hills, section 144 which is now section 163 of the BNSS has already been promulgated prohibiting any sort of rally and meetings and likewise Ri Bhoi district is also following on the same pattern.

Wahlang also informed that the government has also had consultation with the central puja committee (CPC), who have made it clear that they are not supporting the cow protection rally.

“They have stated unequivocally that October 2 is a very important day in the puja celebration, it is the starting of their festivity and they don’t subscribe at all as local stakeholders over here to what this rally is all about and they have not rendered any support at all. They are not aware of any rally that is going to take place and they have stated very clearly that they do not support,” he said while adding “We have taken the local stakeholders into consideration and after applying our minds collectively, we have decided that we will write to the airport authority to deny landing.”