Shillong, Jan 10: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) unequivocally condemns the disturbing incident that occurred yesterday in West Garo Hills District leading to the loss of a precious life of our brethren from Garo community, which once again exposes the complete breakdown of governance, enforcement, and political will in protecting the indigenous people and land of Meghalaya.
This incident is not an isolated law-and-order issue. It is the direct and inevitable outcome of years of unchecked illegal settlement, rampant illegal stone quarrying, and administrative complicity or apathy. Repeated warnings by civil society have been ignored, allowing vested interests to entrench themselves with impunity, while local indigenous communities are left vulnerable and insecure.
CoMSO demands that the Government of Meghalaya immediately identify, arrest, and prosecute all perpetrators involved in the incident, without shielding anyone under political influence or bureaucratic cover. Cosmetic inquiries and routine assurances will no longer be accepted.
Further, CoMSO categorically demands Immediate eviction of all illegal settlers identified in the affected areas, strictly in accordance with law, without delay or dilution and total shutdown of all illegal stone quarries operating in violation of environmental, land, and mining laws, followed by criminal proceedings against owners, financiers, and officials who enabled such operations to thrive.
The continued tolerance of illegal settlers and illegal extractive activities is altering the demographic, social, and security fabric of Meghalaya. This is not merely an environmental or administrative concern—it is an existential issue for indigenous communities.
CoMSO warns that failure to act decisively now will only embolden illegal elements and further erode public trust in the institutions of the State. The people of Meghalaya are watching closely, and they will not remain silent spectators while lawlessness is allowed to thrive.
The Government must choose rule of law or rule of convenience. There can be no middle path said Mr. R K synrem Chairman Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations in the press statement today.
