GUWAHATI: A near total bandh was observed in the Meghalaya capital of Shillong April 25.

The bandh, sponsored by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) was held in protest against the pro- posed photo identity cards system before identifying the infiltrators. All markets remained closed and vehicles were off the road.

The KSU president, Paul Langdon, was detained along with 20 others for violating prohibitory Orders imposed in the city. The photo identity cards system has become a sensitive issue in the State. The KSU says that the infiltrators should be identified and deported before the cards are- sued. The students’ body, which exercises considerable influence in the state, fears that the identity cards are aimed at legitimizing the illegal nationals, like neighboring Assam, Meghalaya also faces infiltration from Bangladesh.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 29, 1994