SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on March 27, said that the government is leaving no stones unturned to ensure the safety and security of the people residing in areas of differences, even as he asserted that developmental schemes, particularly the centrally-sponsored schemes should not be stopped in the areas of differences by either side, which has been agreed upon by both the states.
Sangma was replying to a call attention motion moved by Nongpoh legislator Mayralborn Syiem on the safety and security of the people residing in the border areas, and the steps taken the government to ensure nothing untoward happens.
Sangma, in his reply, informed the house that the government is engaging with Assam at the BDO, OC, SP/DC, Chief Secretary and even at the Chief Minister’s level to ensure there are no complications in those areas and the developmental schemes are implemented without any interference from any side.
“While we are focusing to ensure we find a permanent solution to the border issue, there is also a very strong effort from both from the Assam and Meghalaya governments to ensure safety and security should be maintained; any complex issue that arises should be resolved at the earliest, and the development work that is going on should not be stopped,” the chief minister said, adding that there is a hotline between Assam chief Minister and himself to ensure that even the smallest of border tension arising anywhere is resolved immediately.
Stating that development is of paramount importance for a state, Sangma said, in Ri Bhoi district alone, almost 26 different developmental schemes are being implemented without any major issue, and the government is continuously engaging with Assam to ensure that no hurdle is posed to stop them.
Giving further details, he said that the government has created a number of Border Outposts (BOPs), and proper manpower is deployed for the safety and wellbeing of the people.
“The SPs, DSPs, and the different officers in-charge are being communicated to ensure continuous patrolling and monitoring is done to build up the confidence of the people,” Sangma added.