CM defends Guv address

SHILLONG, MAR 12: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma dismissed the argument that there is the deteriorating law and order problem arising from militancy and said that the situation now is better than decade ago when militants would attack police personnel.  Sangma, however, did say that there is a problem of militancy which did not happened overnight. Replying to the debate on Governor’s address on Wednesday, he said, “Today, are we not in a better situation? Yes, we have this problem (militancy).”

Sangma also said that militancy is of concern to the government, but it did not happen overnight. He said, “We have gone through unpleasant situations over the years.”

Sangma argued that the Governor’s address mentions that the law and order situation in the state was under control because the government wants to send a positive message to the people of the state.

“We do not want to discourage the people of the state, we want to send a positive signal,” Sangma said. According to him the situation now has improved as compared to decade ago when militants would come and attack police personnel in the state capital.

Sangma said that the state is in a better condition today  but added there is a concern as the state is not yet free from the trend of mushrooming of militant outfits.

Sangma felt that the reason of outfit mushrooming are multifaceted and one of the reasons why people joined militant groups is to make easy money. He said, “People have not joined (the militant groups) on the basis of certain convictions, ideologies or principles.” He reasoned that is why a police officer would leave his job and start a militant organisation.

Underlining the various aspects with which the government is trying to solve the perennial problem especially in the Garo hills, Sangma said there are more that are required to be done  to bring about development other than the initiatives already undertaken by the government.

Sangma also felt that it is easy to flag problems, but solving them is not easy. Assuring the house that the police force is getting support from the government in tackling militancy, Sangma added the security forces would be technologically equipped to counter militants.- By Our Reporter