SHILLONG, OCT 8: Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma on Thursday accused the Conrad Sangma government of hatching an “anti-people conspiracy” by amending the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) to ensure it can never be enforced.
Reacting to the claim by eight former UDP MLAs that they joined the BJP to push for MRSSA implementation, Sangma said it was a familiar script to justify defection.
“What was the necessity of MRSSA to be amended?” he asked. “We have seen this in the past. Martin M Danggo resigned and joined the NPP saying he could not establish a civil sub-division for his people. He had to give some justification. These are excuses to justify their actions.”
Sangma said the original MRSSA passed during his government after wide consultations with civil society was a model law.
“It is one of the best legislations across the globe. After exhaustive deliberation looking at all areas of concerns, we zeroed down on it. I even suggested in the internal security meeting that this Act must be studied by every state and other countries, because every nation is grappling with uncontrolled illegal immigration,” he said.
He alleged the amendment was mala fide.
“Dealing with illegal immigration and uncontrolled influx is the toughest job. As legislators, we must ensure we don’t go beyond the legislative jurisdiction of the state legislature. The moment we step beyond, the law will be sent to Delhi for MHA scrutiny and President’s assent,” he said.
“The original legislation was designed to ensure immediate enforcement. The moment you tamper with it and put clauses beyond legislative jurisdiction, then the Governor cannot assent, even if he wants to. It has to be in line with the mandate of the Constitution, not whims and fancies of individuals,” he said.
“I cautioned the government in the august House that amending it beyond legislative jurisdiction was tight rope walking. But the House was bulldozed because they were in majority. What is the purpose? The purpose is to see that this law cannot be enforced,” Sangma said.
“This is a conspiracy to ensure MRSSA cannot be implemented. I condemn their anti-people conspiracy,” he added.
By Our Reporter
