SHILLONG:
Leader of Opposition and Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Mukul Sangma on November 23 said that the current situation between Meghalaya and Assam is not a fight between two communities- Khasis and Assamese.
“Both Assam and Meghalaya governments are creating this wrong perception. Peace and tranquility must prevail. Ensuring that is the responsibility of the government,” Sangma said.
He said that the tension between the two states distorts the name, fame, and reputation that Meghalaya has built over the years.
The leader of opposition said that Meghalaya has been spending so much money to brand the state but today, irresponsible leaders don’t look at the fallout of whatever action they are taking to deal with the situation that is created by the government themselves and not the people.
Sangma said that both the governments must apologise to the people of the state and those affected by the inept reaction of the government.
He also said that during his visit to Mukroh on November 22, the villagers told him that there’s a surge in instances of alleged oppression, harassment and atrocities against the people of the state living along the Assam-Meghalaya border by the authorities of Assam.
“One thing that really bothered me was that they compare their life with those living on the international border. They are saying that now it appears that living along international borders is safer than living in villages along the interstate border between Assam- and Meghalaya,” the leader of opposition said.
Sangma said that the prevailing perception in the mind of the people is very disturbing and one must look for course correction.
He said that he was perturbed to hear stories of atrocities, suppression, and oppression from the people, who were subjected to such treatment by the authorities of Assam.
He said that he was very perturbed and sad because the government of India is also responsible for not understanding the helplessness of the northeast.
He said that he was very perturbed and sad because the government of India is also responsible for not understanding the helplessness of the northeast.
According to the leader of the opposition, earlier the governments of Meghalaya and Assam had laid down guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to deal with the situations such as that which occurred on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Sangma also informed that the TMC will release an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased, and support those who are injured.
Sangma also questioned why there is a knee-jerk reaction from the government by resorting to shutting down the internet and crippling communications.
He said that when he was the chief minister he never resorted to these tactics.
He demanded that the government should immediately restore the internet.
He demanded that the government should immediately restore the internet.
“They are making people stay indoors. This is not the way to deal with the situation. There is also a misinformation going on about hatred between different communities causing the incident, which is not correct,” Sangma said.