Civic staff, under the association’s banner, sat on a dharna near the municipal board’s office. President of the association Sylvanus Pyngrope said they were protesting against irregular payment of salaries and non-payment of arrears under the new revised payscales.
“We are not doing anything illegal,” he said.
The board’s chief executive officer, T. Lyngwa said: “The urban affairs department has given notice to the president and secretary of the SMEA to report for duty within 24 hours. If they fail to report by noon tomorrow, Esma will be promulgated and they and the other leaders of the association will be arrested.”
Commissioners’ polls: Elections to the offices of the ward commissioners of the four municipal boards in Garo hills will be held on September 29, according to a notification issued by the urban affairs department today.