HITO wants withdrawal of section 144 CrPC on June 4

Shillong, May 28: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has urged  East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner to withdraw  section 144 CrPC during counting of votes on June 4.

HITO president Donbok Dkhar said in a letter addressed to  the DC that the order dated May 23, which stated that “No victory procession/rallies by any candidate/political parties after the declaration of result shall be permissible within East Khasi Hills District. No victory procession/rallies by any candidate/political parties after the declaration of result shall be permissible within East Khasi Hills District”,  is  entirely in contravention to the citizens’ fundamental rights as envisaged in Article 14 and 19 of the Constitution of India, and other democratic rights of the citizens of the state, and as observed in various decisions of the Supreme Court of India.

According to Dkhar, there has been no such incident of violence and the mere apprehension of any such incident is unwarranted and unreasonable, but however, as a result of the order dated 23-05-2024, the entire population of East Khasi Hills district is being deprived of their rights to freedom of expression and movement and to carry out peaceful assembly.