Mukul derides Centre's bid to divide NE

Newmai News Network
Shillong, Dec 16: The leader of the Opposition in Meghalaya, Dr Mukul Sangma has accused the Government of India of attempting to divide the North East region, and as such, he said that this necessitates the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
He also maintained that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) has been designed in such a way that it actually complements the provisions of the ILP.
“The MRSSA has been designed in such a way that it takes care of the concerns and interests of our indigenous people with complete honesty and commitment and it was not designed with some political strategy,” he said while adding that the implementation of the ILP in addition with MRSSA will help the State to deal with this concern.
He also said that since the whole exercise of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India is now with the standing committee of the Upper House, it is the right time to see that the provisions of the Sixth Schedule are extended to all areas of the State including Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, Mukul also said that the Congress party will continue opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act and will also continue to protest against it. “We will continue our protest demonstrations against the CAA on December 17 at Iew-Mawsiang, Jowai and Nongpoh–Ri-Bhoi district followed by a protest in Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and East Khasi Hills subsequently,” he said.
Mukul Sangma also demanded that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government immediately restore internet service in the State.
“We are very angry because all our democratic rights have been curtailed by shutting down the internet service,” he said.
Stating the Congress party in Meghalaya had the privilege to run the Government for a very long period of time, he said, “We have had bigger and more serious problems of militancy, kidnapping, killing etc but the Congress Government never resorted to this kind of panic reaction like the MDA Government.”
Condemning the MDA Government for shutting down the internet service, he said, “There is complete bankruptcy of ideas of governance under the MDA which has affected everyone in their everyday lives including students, trade and business and all are suffering.”
He further opined that under the MDA, a simple fight between two persons can culminate into a serious law and order problem.