Shillong, August 15: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr Mukul Sangma on his speech on the 67th Indpendece Day Celebration at Polo Ground today he has firmly said that “without peace and harmony, our State will never be able to reap the fruits of progress and development”.
About low and oredrer the Chief Minister said that “violence in any form impedes the growth of the nation state. Whatsoever be the provocation or the grievance, violence has never been and will never be a solution. I therefore call upon all my fellow citizens to harbour firm faith that every issue can be resolved through dialogue and meaningful engagement”.
The Chief Minister today earnestly appeal to all citizens of the State to stick to democratic values, as we proceed on our journey towards development and progress.
During the past year the low and order was under control and was relatively stable. However, the internal security situation in the State continues to be a matter of concern and a series of incidents involving militants have vitiated the security environment in certain pockets of the State. The Government is fully aware of its responsibility and will deal with this challenge with a firm hand.
In his speech the Chief minister pointed out about the crucial issues such as the problem of illegal immigration, influx, long pending Inter-State boundary dispute with Assam, international border with Bangladesh etc. which have been confronting the state for long.
The very fact these issues have been ever since the creation of Meghalaya as a new State suggests that these are not amenable to easy solution. However, resolution of these issues remains the highest priority of the Government.
To deal with thses issued the chief minister has spell out the various measures which the government have already initiated. The Anti-Infiltration Directorate headed by Additional DGP level officer has already been set up and 114 (one hundred and fourteen) additional posts have been sanctioned to strengthen the anti-infiltration network.
To deal with infiltarion the District Task Force has been constituted headed by the Deputy Commissioners, under whom special squads have been formed led by a magistrate to carry out anti infiltration drives regularly and systematically in the infiltration susceptible areas of the district.
The Labour Department has been carrying out the exercise of registration of migrant workers. For this purpose, additional manpower has been provided to them.
The National Population Register could also be a useful instrumentality for keep a watch over infiltration in the long term. This exercise will eventually lead to compilation of the national register of Indian citizens. Therefore, the entire process would be subject to rigorous checking and verification, in consultation with the local institutions.
“We need to take advantage of this exercise given its long term advantages. We seek to take all stakeholders on board on this. We have already initiated the process of engaging and educating them about this important project. We are also contemplating other legislative measures to tackle the issue of influx. All these are the testimonies to the Government’s sincere intent”.(SP News)
