SHILLONG:
Hours after the second phase of border talks between Assam and Meghalaya kicked off, All India Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma questioned if the modalities for resolution of the boundary dispute were acceptable to the stakeholders.
He was responding to a query on the decision of the two states to start the second phase of border talks for resolving the remaining six areas of difference.
He said if the stakeholders have not accepted what the two governments are trying to do and are trying to bulldoze their way forward then people will continue to protest.
He said being duty-bound to speak on behalf of the voiceless political parties will continue to reject any decision that adversely affects them.”This is our responsibility,” he added.
He said that the first phase exercise itself is under question.
The former chief minister also warned that the government will only leave a mess if the decision will affect the stakeholders.
“The government will only leave behind a mess, which has to be taken cognisance of and then somehow cleared. It is in the best interest of the people and the state to ensure there is a sense of accomplishment among the people in respect of resolving the issues. If they are not having this sense of accomplishment rather are being compelled to feel as victims then that means it is completely an act of injustice, an act which will be considered as anti-people,” he said.
Sangma said that when there are voices reflecting the concerns of the people it is incumbent upon every government to take cognisance of and dwell upon those concerns and resolve those issues.
He said it was now up to government to respond to their given call of duty, which revolves around listening to the voices of everyone. When stakeholder0s’ concerns are involved and they are directly and indirectly likely to be affected by the decision of the government, it is only expected that the government will demonstrate sensitivity and sense of responsibility towards the people, he said.