Shillong, Sept 23: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr Mukul Sangma inhis speeches at meeting of the National Intergration Council held today at Vigyan Bhavan , New Delhi said that the state government is determined to ensure peace and security to all section of the society.
The text given below is the full text of the chief minister speeches at the IIC at new Delhi today run as, “ At the very outset, I would like to congratulate the Hon’ble Prime Minister for having convened this important meeting of the National Integration Council at the most appropriate time. We are meeting at a time when the country is going through a critical phase of development, transformation and resurgence, and at the same time, anti-national and divisive tendencies also appear to be working overtime in many parts of the country to sabotage our march towards social and economic transformation.
I must join the rest of the country in condemning the recent incidents of communal clashes perpetrated by some anti-national elements in some parts of the country. No words are strong enough to condemn such acts of violence where innocent civilians are targeted. These pose a serious threat to our national integrity, and need to be countered with complete solidarity and determination. Let us all resolve today that in this battle we are completely united and we will neither try to make political capital out of it nor allow complacency to set in. Fear, suspicion and hatred are the fuel which feed the flames of communal disharmony and conflict. We must not allow these attempts of misguided groups to provide that fuel.
There can be no question mark over the need to maintain communal harmony at all costs. True, some divisive factors may be inherent in the history, geography and culture of our country, but there are also forces which accentuate these factors. Casteism, regionalism, linguistic diversities, gender inequality, economic disparities (both inter-regional and inter-personal), terrorism etc. are the forces and factors that pose a serious challenge to our nation today. Linguistic, ethnic and religious diversities have a tendency to generate tension and conflict amongst different communities. The need of the hour is to bury these differences and to remember that we are first and foremost Indians. We must remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi that “I am an Indian not because I am a Hindu or a Muslim or a Sikh or a Christian or a Parsi or a Jew or because I believe in a particular religion. I am an Indian because if I am not, who am I?”
Role of media in fostering communal harmony cannot be over emphasized. Publication of sensational news, which could heighten tension, should be avoided. It is the duty of the media to neutralize the impact of any disinformation campaign initiated by mischievous elements. It is important that media acts in a responsible manner and with restraint in the interest of peace and harmony so as to prevent backlashes in a communal conflict.
Another important player has emerged today in the form of social networking media. This has provided a useful platform for social interaction and exchange of ideas and information across borders. This has also enabled access to information on ‘real time’ basis, irrespective of geographical locations or distances involved. The utility and popularity of this platform is fully acknowledged. However, there are serious risks and threats involved if misuse of this domain by unscrupulous elements is left completely unregulated. There have been instances when this medium was used by mischievous groups and elements to spread rumours, hatred, defamatory content, fear, emotional abuse, and cause social and communal tensions.
In all cases of communal riots, justice needs to be delivered fast and punishment imposed firmly, for it to have a deterrent effect. Unfortunately, this has not been the case so far. In the name of mob violence, often no action gets taken against the perpetrators of violence and mayhem in such riots. This further emboldens such elements and encourages them to repeat it more often. It needs to be recognized that such conflicts have a lasting impact on the social fabric of communities. It takes a long time to heal the wounds once inflicted. Therefore, the existing laws need to be reviewed and special provisions need to be incorporated to deal with communal and ethnic conflicts. It should be made absolutely clear that there shall be zero tolerance for ethnic and communal strife and that the response from the law enforcement arms of the government shall be fast and furious.
Of critical essence is the time taken to respond to the outbreak of a communal conflict. Often there is delay in this, especially when forces have to be mobilized from outside the State. The process of obtaining permissions from the Central Government for deployment of CAPF or army is cumbersome and time consuming, when a requisition is made by the State authorities. At times, this leads to situation on the ground going out of hand. This also needs to be reviewed and the response systems at all levels need to be made more efficient and expeditious. The regional or zonal heads of Central forces should be authorised to decide and respond to the requisitions received from local or State authorities for additional forces to deal with communal or ethnic conflict situations.
We must work tirelessly and promote understanding and fellowship amongst all religious groups, communities, ethnic groups, cultures, languages and traditions of our great country. The true strength of our country lies in its diversity and this special feature finds replication in almost all States of the country, including my State. In spite of the State’s religious, cultural and ethnic plurality, there is an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence in Meghalaya. We have realized that the key to the State’s strength and development lies in maintaining communal peace and harmony.
Lately, there has been a spate of demands for creation of separate States in the country, which have also led to agitations and violent demonstrations. Often, these demands are driven by ethnic considerations. This also creates a sense of uncertainty and vitiates the atmosphere of harmony and goodwill. In build upto general elections, there would be a temptation to make political mileage out of it. It should be the responsibility of all mainstream political parties in the country to set an example and not only resist this tendency but also discourage other local level parties from resorting to such practices.
In our State also, there is a demand for a separate State for the Garos in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya. This is not a recent phenomenon and has, in fact, often been incorporated into the ostentatious agenda of various insurgent groups, past and present. The 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. We have not allowed the law and order situation to deteriorate and it is our endeavour 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.
The State today also faces the issue relating to the demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP). The pro ILP groups have indulged in a series of agitational programmes but we have remained firm in our approach to deal with the situation. We are maintaining law and order with firm hands and the stand of the State Government was made amply known to the people through the media. 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 maintain its social and political integrity at all costs and we are very clear in our minds that this can be achieved by securing peace and tranquility in all the 11 districts of the State. For this, we consider that law enforcement should be proactive, firm and just. Communities must come and work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence to usher in growth and development. This was recently seen in the Garo Hills region when we had 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 labourers and working community from Garo Hills to Assam. Despite efforts by vested interests to sow seeds of discontent between two major communities, relentless initiatives at the community and political levels and also between the administrations of the two States ensured that the situation never went out of control and was contained in an effective manner leading to restoration of peace and harmony within a very short time-span.
The Government under the aegis of the State Security Commission (SSC) has given impetus and support to setting up of Citizens’ Committees in all the police stations. The officers in-charge of the police stations hold outreach programmes to bring members of all communities together and discuss ways and means to foster inter–community harmony. This measure has been rewarded with significant success.
The State law enforcement agencies do not resort to profiling of crime and criminals based on community, caste and religion. The intelligence collection is professionally done and means and measures are deployed to deal with any kind of situation effectively. We have been successful in averting major strikes by the insurgent groups of the State on the basis of advance intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination. A major technological intervention that the State is about to embark upon will add one more meaningful dimension to securing safety in public places. We will soon be taking up a pilot project in Tura and Shillong to bind the city in a network of CCTV cameras located at key strategic places to step up vigilance on antisocial elements and activities.
An edifying landmark of integration of communities and people in the State is the fact that all religious festivals are observed peacefully, amid gaiety and merriment amongst all sections of the populace. The amity and goodwill has been displayed excellently by the people of Meghalaya in the fields of art and culture, social work and through outstanding public work. Today, the Shillong Chamber Choir has sung songs in Hindi all over the world, though all members of the choir are indigenous people with little background of speaking the national language.
We firmly believe that there should be more cultural exchanges and regular intercourse between the people of our State and those from the rest of our country. Such cultural exchanges will foster and nurture emotional integration of India across the States. Emotional integration is a 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.
Safety and security of women and children
We have been able to provide a safe and secure environment for the women and children and their growth and development in all spheres of life. We are increasing the presence of women police personnel in the force. We are aware of the fact that women and children need special protection and care not only from the point of view of social security but also from crime. Their security is paramount in the agenda of the State Government and its functionaries.
There are women police stations in all the 7(seven) old District headquarters and we are examining the requirement for setting up of more women police stations in the rest of the Districts. 4 (four) Anti-Human Trafficking units have been commissioned, out of which 2 (two) are fully functional, while the other 2 (two) are currently functioning from police stations. We are also setting up Anti-Human Trafficking units in the remaining 7 (seven) Districts. We look forward to support from Government of India in setting up more Anti–Human Trafficking and Child-Lines units in the State. Training to police officers on the software called ‘Track the Child Online’ is also being provided. Our law enforcing agency is also working with NGOs of good repute in the field of human trafficking and crime against women and children. We are also examining the possibility of creating Special Cells under the Social Welfare Department for a comprehensive package relating to rights of women and children. The Cell will have multi-sectoral synergetic approach in ensuring that the rights of women and children are adequately protected.
A policy of compensation has been put in place for women victims of such crimes. Under the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, we have created mechanisms such as Protection Officers who are found to be very helpful to women in distressful situation of domestic violence.
We have, in true spirit, enforced the progressive legislation called the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2013 and the Criminal Amendment Act, 2013. The Government has notified special courts for trial of cases under this Act. A special in-service training programme to sensitize the police officers and men on the various provisions of POCSO, 2012 as well on various social legislations, which aim at providing security and safety to women and children, has been drawn up. Further, Special Juvenile Police Officers have been appointed by the District Superintendents of Police to take special care of crime against children.
Our law enforcement agencies could work more effectively if the various service providers of wireless telephony and internet connectivity improve their quality of service. There are areas where connectivity imposes severe strains and has stood in the way of execution of important projects such as the CCTNS.
Measures to tackle crimes against SCs/ STs.
Meghalaya has a pre-dominantly Scheduled Tribe population and a miniscule Schedule Caste population. There have not been any major incidents of inter-caste tension. Nevertheless, the Government has created a Cell in the Police Headquarters under a DIG level officer to monitor measures to tackle crimes against the members of STs/SCs. Needless to say, it is the priority of the State Government to ensure that peace and security is assured to all sections of the society irrespective of caste, creed or gender.
Above all, as a responsible Government, we are committed to put in place plans and programmes which are informed by our earnest intent to foster a feeling of co-operation and a sense of mutual oneness amongst different sections of people to generate a conscious awareness of national unity, identity and integrity. We will continue to strive towards achieving complete national integration through meaningful interventions with the full involvement of the communities by eliminating parochial loyalties and inculcating a strong sense of understanding that we are INDIANS FIRST and INDIANS LAST. (SP News)
