Mukul reaffirming no ILP or Statehood for Meghalaya in NIC Meghalaya is under siege due to different degree of unrest in different districts. The developmental works are at its lowest. Business transaction for the upcoming Durga Puja is equal to nil. Tourists are being attacked, resulting to mass cancelation of booking, hitting hard on service and transport industries. Fear psychosis is looming high after four phases of agitation programme called by ten organizations. Yet, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, while participating in the meeting of National Integration Council (NIC) at New Delhi on September 23, 2013, said his government is maintaining law and order with firm hands. In Garo Hills, bandh have paralyzed day to day activities including educational institutions. In the national platform, Dr Sangma have expressed in the ease that there is a demand for a separate State for the Garos in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya. He made it clear that this is not a recent phenomenon and has, in fact, often been incorporated into the ostentatious agenda of various insurgent groups, past and present. His Government has been adopting all democratic means to deal with the issue of the demand for a separate State as well as various other issues linked with the ongoing insurgency in the Garo Hills. He added the government has not allowed the law and order situation to deteriorate and it is its endeavor and firm commitment that people of all communities should be able to live in an atmosphere of security, communal amity and brotherhood in the State. Here in East Khasi Hills, where government offices’ are practically functional for just three days a week, In West Khasi Hills arson and setting fire on government buildings are rising, assault on non- indigenous community are high in Ri Bhoi as the pressure tactic for demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP). Chief Minister informed the Central authorities that the Pro – ILP groups have indulged in a series of agitational programmes but his government remained firm in their approach to deal with the situation. Dr Sangma made it amply clear that the district administration are maintaining law and order with firm hands and the stand of the State Government was made known to the people through the media. He claimed this has inspired an atmosphere of security for all people to live and be part of the great national tradition of one single nation. The State Government is committed to maintaining its social and political integrity at all costs with very clear mindset that this can be achieved by securing peace and tranquility in all the 11 districts of Meghalaya. Dr Sangma did not let out a string of tension his government is facing due to the demand for statehood and ILP in the state at the National Integration Council (NIC), in return he invited for more cultural exchange to foster and nurture emotional integration of India across the states. He pointed out that ‘Emotional Integration’ is the key step towards promoting long lasting national integration. Meghalaya is geographically located at the far end of Eastern India. Such geographical distance should not stand in our way to have meaningful dialogue with one another in understanding and appreciating national goal of solidarity and brotherhood. He was justifying a series of incidents in June 2013, especially in the borderland with Assam, when communal harmony came under tremendous strain due to certain unfortunate developments leading to mass exodus of laborers and working community from Garo Hills to Assam. Now, back to ground zero here in Meghalaya, Dr Sangma has made it crystal clear that the government will not hold talk with any agitating groups unless they shun violence. At the same time, he has also informed about the stance of his government for a no to ILP and Statehood for Garo Hills. Dr Sangma has presented the present situation in Meghalaya through a Bird eye view at NIC; the heat from the ground reality was missing. Is he wise to do so? Only the time will tell. Hopefully, he need not seek more central forces to deal with the situation, and if it goes worse, the Central Rule will be the only answer. However, according to the Chief Minister, the situation is so far so good, hence he can claim in the national platform that like any other state, Meghalaya too have just few hurdles which are state subjects, hence need not be displayed at NIC, that is, at the national level.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:40:24 +0000
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