Shillong, Apr 15: Activists of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Monday shut down banks and offices of private offices in the two districts of Khasi Hills region after they were found to remain open on the occasion of the Shad Suk Mynsiem, an annual thanksgiving dance festival of the Khasis celebrated every year.

The banks and other private offices had remained open despite the last day of the festival being declared as a holiday by the state government.

The Shad Suk Mynsiem or ‘dance of the happy hearts’ is an annual spring dance held for three days to give thanks to the Almighty for his blessings and to celebrate harvesting and sowing.

On being informed, KSU activists went and shut down the banks and private offices in East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District for functioning despite being a holiday on account of the festival.

The KSU warned all offices that failed to respect special occasions and festivals observed by the Indigenous Khasi people.

“We also urged the bank authorities to include the Shad Suk Mynsiem and Pomblang Nongkrem in their list of holidays,” general secretary of the Union Donald V Thabah said.

Thabah also demanded the state government to ensure that all government and private offices, educational institutions and banks respect such important occasion failing which the Union will take stern action.