SHILLONG:
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) working president Deborah Marak, on Thursday, refuted Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui’s recent statement that shortage of cops is affecting the government’s efforts to curb illegal coal mining in the state, saying the cabinet minister is “misled”.
“The government say there is a shortage of police, but I have seen police vehicles on the national highway every 100–200 metres. What are they doing on the national highway from Dianadubi to Nangalbibra? Who are they protecting? I disagree with his statement. He may have been misled or is unaware of the ground reality on the matter,” said Marak.
Referring to illegalities, she further said that the government should direct the administration and the police department to look into such matters, adding that the administration has “miserably failed” to take action against perpetrators in the East and West Garo Hills.
On the alleged illegal check-gates along the highway, she questioned the mode of operation with regards to collection of reports, claiming that the report from the district administration will “only try to protect the government”. “I, therefore, urge the government to allow an independent inquiry into the matter,” Marak said.
Brushing off allegations that Congress has lost ground in the state following its five prominent leaders extending support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), Marak asserted that the Grand Old Party’s vote bank in the state is still intact.
“Congress vote bank is intact. We must get the right candidate in each and every constituency, then, definitely, the party will win. Whoever wants to contest, let them work hard in the grassroots first,” she said, adding that it is too early to identify candidates for the polls.
The party’s in-charge of the Garo Hills district also said that the party’s district, block and the polling station committees are working aggressively and enrolling members into the party.
Exuding confidence of the party’s win in the upcoming 2023 Assembly elections, Marak said that the “real fight” in Garo Hills will be between the Congress and NPP as All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) is a “new party” in the state.