SHILLONG, MAR 10: Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) blamed the state government for what it called providing fresh doze of oxygen to militancy because of its insensitivity in handling agitating groups even as it demanded probe into police cum big coal business tycoons.
“Sometimes, due to insensitive approach in handling the agitating groups, it lead to providing fresh doze of oxygen to militancy in the state,” UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh said while moving amendments to the motion to the Governor’s address in the assembly on Monday.
Lyngdoh statement gains significance on the backdrop of the recent reports that said the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU)’s vice president Frederick Kharmawphlang joined the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), a banned Khasi rebel outfit..
“This is not a good trend and it needs a lot of reasons and analysis which I am sure has been done by the police department,” Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh further emphasized that the state government needs to have a deep introspection on the matter in order to ensure that the state do not go back to those days when Shillong was under the dark clouds of militancy and create a Manipur like situation.
In his address the Governor had also stated that the law and order situation in the state over the last one year has been stable.
“Such tall claims cannot be digested by the people of the state. To top it all the whole police department is in a total shamble due to state government’s lack of responsibility and sense of direction,” Lyngdoh said.
Pointing out that law and order situation in the state is deteriorating, Lyngdoh said large areas of Garo Hills region and parts of West Khasi Hills have remains outside the “rule of law.”“There is total collapse of rule of law in these areas where insurgent groups would go on extortion drives and have better inputs on police movements,” he added.
Paul said that the opposition demands that the government set its priorities by taking up steps to revamp and strengthen the police organization because without strong and efficient manpower, the question of maintaining law and order will be under stress.
While the state is facing such challenges, Lyngdoh further alleged there are police officials who are engaged in coal trading business despite having sworn to give security to the people and the state.
“A good number of police officials are busy in coal trading. Their hands are full and sharing their time between policing and coal trading. It is then policing takes the back seat,” Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh said the opposition demands that the government immediately order for a thorough probe into the matter on how officials who have sworn to give security and safety to citizen could be engaging themselves in such business.
Doubting that the UPA-II Congress led government would retain the power at the centre in the ensuing elections, Lyngdoh questioned that what will happen to the peace-settlement signed between the Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC) and the government.
According to Lyngdoh, as of now, with both Delhi and Meghalaya being Congress rule governments, the centre had no doubt shown sympathy to the situation in Meghalaya as they are politically from the family.
Stating that even the GNLA has also jump into the fray, Lyngdoh further stated, “I don’t know how many peace pact will be signed by this government which is an illustration of only words that are not matching up with deeds.”- By Our Reporter
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