KSU, HYC shut down banks, private offices for working on Shad Nongkrem Festival

SHILLONG:

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) shut down banks and other private offices in the city on November 11, for working on the occasion of the Shad Nongkrem, an annual thanksgiving festival celebrated by the Khasis.

KSU central executive council’s publicity secretary, Pynshai Rani said, "The functioning of these institutions only shows that they disrespect the indigenous people of the state".

The HYC also criticised the state government for its failure to declare November 11 as a holiday for the banks operating in the East Khasi Hills district.

The HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem said that according to the information received by the council, the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation, Meghalaya State Unit had written to the state government requesting the day to be declared as a holiday for the banks to enable their employees to also take part on the occasion.

"Unfortunately, the state government (through the Under Secretary in-charge GAD) had rejected the plea. This only shows that the state government is not respecting the important events of the indigenous community", he stated. 

TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.