SHILLONG:
United Democratic Party (UDP) chief Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday asked the State Police to pull up its socks to ensure anti-social elements are not allowed to disturb the peace and harmony in the state.
“Police have to be cautious and one cannot just take it for granted as far as law and order is concerned. Police has to stay alert 24×7 and at all times because it is the safety and security of the people of the state,” Lyngdoh told reporters while referring to the Tura violence incident, which according to him has really endangered the life of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma.
“Therefore, the police have to be more vigilant and more alert and they have to step up as far as intelligence is concerned. We should not be laid back just because Meghalaya is a peaceful state. We should not give any scope for any kind of anti-social elements to disturb peace and harmony which prevails in the state,” he added.
Commenting on the overall law and order in the state, Lyngdoh, who is also Chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB), said that there is always room for improvement in all aspects.
He however expressed concern over the increased numbers of theft cases in almost every village in the state and said, “These are very unfortunate kinds of situations but it is not only law and order from the government but again society also plays an important role.”
Further, the UDP chief also demanded the police to take action against the leaders of the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) for its attempt to brand Meghalaya as an unfriendly state.
“If they portray that Meghalaya people are communal I think that will not be tolerated and it should not be allowed…The government should take very serious notes on those kinds of news and action should be taken immediately without any delay,” he said.
Metbah seeks report on poorest state ranking
Chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB) Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday sought a report on the recent ranking of Meghalaya as the poorest state in the country.
“We will ask all the details and data (to know) why exactly the ranking of the state is to that level as reported,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
Meghalaya has been ranked among the top five poorest states in India. This was revealed by the report titled ‘National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): A Progress Review 2023’ released by the Niti Aayog on July 17.
Lyngdoh, who is also a former Assembly Speaker, said the board will also submit its suggestions to the government.
“We will work out on what exactly needs to be done as far as our planning board is concerned so that we can suggest the government if needed,” he added.
The chairman further informed that he would soon convene a meeting of the board. “Not only that (state ranking), we will discuss side by side other subjects also. We will work out an action plan,” Lyngdoh said while adding that he would finalise the date for the board’s sitting by tomorrow.