SHILLONG, JAN 27: Meghalaya governor R. S. Mooshahary has called for putting up a united fight against disruptive forces and asked the militant organizations in the state to abjure violence and come forward to peacefully resolve their demands.
Without referring to GNLA, the governor said certain Garo groups were indulging in all sorts of illegally activities that are causing hardship to ordinary people. “Certain groups, especially in the Garo Hills, have been indulging in illegal activities of extortion, abduction,
“These are forces which challenge our unity and integrity by growing elements which are inimical to the core values of our freedom struggle,” he said while calling on the citizens to unite against the proliferation of such divisive forces. “I appeal to all militant elements in the state to seek resolution of their demands through established democratic processes by peaceful means and to abjure the path of violence,” he added.
The signing of the Agreed Text of Settlement between the two factions of the Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), the state government and the Union government, he said, was a positive development in the quest for peace. The governor also expressed his satisfaction over the overall internal security situation in the state.
Expressing concern over the growing incidents of violence, Mooshahary said the criminal justice administration needed to be refined to make it more effective and exemplarily deterrent. “It is a social disgrace that in our tribal state, known for its respect and care for women, cases of rape and molestation are becoming common occurrences,” he added.
He said police have a major role to play in containing crimes and infusing a sense of security among citizens. “They must not only be visible but also be trustworthy and helpful to citizens, especially to women, senior citizens, minors and poor. There is a need for greater sensitization to improve police response to public complaints,” the Governor said.
The governor also drew attention to the inter-state and international borders along Meghalaya, which, he said, pose challenges. He expressed the hope that the protocol signed between India and Bangladesh would be ratified soon by both the parties and the boundary gets properly defined and delineated on the ground. On the inter-state boundary, he said an understanding needs to be reached quickly in order to alleviate the hardships faced by those living in the pockets where differences exist over the alignment of the boundary.
On the economic front, Mooshahary said the state has embarked upon a massive plan for development through the Five Year Plans. “During the Eleventh Five Year Plan, the state recorded a high growth rate of 8.9 percent in Gross State Domestic Product…The Twelfth Five Year Plan projection of Rs 27027.00 crore is yet to be finalized by the Planning Commission,” he said.
Stating that investments in the social sectors as well as in the infrastructure sectors were substantially enhanced during the 11th plan period, the governor said the priorities of the Twelfth Plan period sould include creating livelihood opportunities at a very rapid pace, reducing intra-state variations among other things. (By Our Reporter)
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