Nongpoh, August 21 : The Ri Bhoi district administration has advised commuters to avoid the Byrnihat-Jorabat road after the route was blocked from both sides, while also invoking provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to prevent disruption of essential supplies.
In a public advisory issued on Friday, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr Abhishek Saini said travellers, particularly those travelling for medical emergencies, airport and railway journeys and other essential purposes, should avoid the Byrnihat-Jorabat route until further notice.
The administration has announced alternative routes for commuters travelling between Meghalaya and Guwahati.
Travellers from Shillong, Nongpoh or Byrnihat heading towards Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and railway stations have been advised to take either the Byrnihat-Pillingkata-Killing route or the Nongpoh-Patharkhmah-Rani route.
Shillong-bound passengers arriving from Guwahati airport or railway stations have been advised to use either the Basistha-Pillingkata-Killing route or the Rani-Patharkhmah-Mairang route.
The administration urged commuters to avoid the Jorabat-Byrnihat road from both the Assam and Meghalaya sides, plan their journeys accordingly and cooperate with authorities to ensure smooth movement of essential traffic.
Meanwhile, in a separate order issued on August 20, the Ri Bhoi District Magistrate invoked ESMA along with Section 163 of the BNSS following what the administration described as credible intelligence and reports of potential unlawful road blockades and deliberate obstruction to commercial vehicles and supply chains in the district.
The order said uninterrupted transport and delivery of essential commodities, including petroleum products and LPG, drinking water, food grains, milk and other perishables, pharmaceuticals, medical oxygen and sanitation supplies, are necessary for public safety and health.
Services connected with the transport, loading and unloading, carriage, wholesale distribution and retail vending of foodstuffs, petroleum and fuel, medical items and civil supplies have been declared critical essential services.
The order warned that anyone involved in illegally stopping or disrupting the movement of essential goods could face prosecution, imprisonment and fines under the applicable laws.
Persons found instigating, inciting, intimidating or coercing transport operators or supply workers to participate in blockades or service stoppages will also face penal action. Individuals or organisations providing financial, logistical or other support for illegal blockades affecting essential services may similarly be prosecuted.
Police have also been empowered under the order to arrest without warrant persons reasonably suspected of committing offences under ESMA or actively obstructing the movement of essential commodities.
The administration directed that vehicles carrying essential commodities be allowed unhindered movement round the clock through the district, while police have been asked to take preventive measures against attempts to impose road blockades.
The ESMA order came into force with immediate effect and will remain operational across Ri Bhoi district until further orders.
