SHILLONG, April 28: Commercial activities came to a standstill across key areas of Shillong on Monday as local businesses and shopkeepers observed a voluntary shutdown, responding to a call issued by the Shillong Citizen Forum (SCF).
The protest was organised to condemn the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
The stretch from Khyndailad to Ïewduh saw widespread closures, with the Barabazar Merchants and Shopkeepers Association urging its members to join the shutdown as an expression of solidarity with the victims of the attack. Supporters described the protest as a peaceful stand against violence and a collective expression of grief.
On the eve of the shutdown, the Shillong Citizen Forum held a candlelight vigil in front of the old Assembly building at Khyndailad. The vigil, held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Sunday, drew citizens from across the city, many of whom gathered to pay tribute to those killed in the Pahalgam incident.
In addition, the Meghalaya government has directed all Pakistani nationals residing in the state to leave by the end of April 2025.
The Meghalaya government has also ramped up border security measures along its 443-kilometre stretch with Bangladesh. The move comes just two days after the Pahalgam incident, with authorities aiming to prevent any potential cross-border threats.
In a separate but related development, the Meghalaya government has reiterated its directive for Pakistani nationals to exit the state by the end of April 2025.
Authorities have also intensified security measures along Meghalaya’s 443-kilometre border with Bangladesh. Officials cited heightened security concerns and emphasised the need for preventive measures against possible cross-border threats.
