Tura, March 4: The formation of new outfits in Meghalaya’s Garo hills region has posed a serious law and order problem. Mukul Sangma’s government is facing the ire of the opposition and civil societies for the mushrooming of insurgent activities.
Meghalaya’s opposition chief whip, National People’s Party legislator, James Sangma has blamed the Congress for the utter chaos in the state. He termed Mukul’s rule as weak and against the aspiration of the people.
He stated that delay in peace talks has led to the formation of new outfits.
“The law & order situation will be raised in the forthcoming assembly session. We will conner the government – left, right and centre. Mukul has to take responsibility for the situation”, said James.
He also stated that if government fails to control the situation, Garo hills is surely heading to be branded as a ‘disturbed’ area.
Garo hills is facing the brunt of militancy, which is at its peak. At a drop of a hat, new outfits are emerging.
Activist Agnes Kharshiing said, “The free for all needs to be stopped by the state machinery either through dialogue, or through the use of police action, but the action has to be decisive. The situation cannot be left at the current flux. We want all of those who have diverted from the mainstream to come back in its fold”.
She further states, “What has amazed the region is the non committal stand of the government. They have never come forward to condemn killing of civilians. The civilians in Garo hills have paid the price of insurgency for the last two decades”.
Castigating the government, Kharshiing said, “When a politician gets a demand note from an outfit, it makes headlines for several week, however, when a civilian is killed as he is unable to pay the ‘taxes’, it is highlighted for a day and all is forgotten”.
An activist of the united peace movement, Jaynie Sangma said, “We will continue our fight for peace in Garo hills. We will make our ardent appeal to insurgent groups to come forward to eschew peace”.
On the formation of new outfits, Jaynie said, “The creation of new groups is making people tizzy. How much money can people pay to several outfits, besides the dacoit groups that prowl around! This free for all needs to stop and the government has to swung into action”.
Reacting on GNLA’s offer for peace talks, Jaynie said, “The move is welcoming. We fail to understand, why the government is still silent on the issue. Government’s attitude will pose a threat for the people, as they have to pay the price. GNLA’s threat to go back to armed struggle can only make things worse”.
An activist from Phulbari, Bappun Sangma said, “Government has to make its policy clear on dealing with insurgency in Garo hills. Enough is enough!”
Youth entrepreneur Gaurav Singhal said, “We want our representatives to raise the security concerns of the people at the centre level”.(SP News)
