Shillong, Aug 22: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has held NPP-BJP-led state government accountable for its failure to anticipate the situation, protect citizens, maintain law and order, and prevent the escalation of tensions, including along the Meghalaya-Assam border.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the MPCC said it condemns all forms of violence, intimidation and disruption that have caused fear, hardship and suffering to the people of Shillong and Meghalaya.
The people of Meghalaya are paying the price for an administration that has repeatedly substituted public relations and lip service for serious governance. Despite having intelligence, administrative machinery and adequate warning of developing tensions, the government failed to act with the seriousness, sensitivity and preparedness that the situation demanded.
The consequences are being borne by ordinary citizens. People travelling to and from Meghalaya feel unsafe. Tourists have cancelled bookings, causing serious losses to hotels, homestays, taxi operators, restaurants, shops and thousands of families dependent on tourism. Patients and hospitals are facing difficulties because the movement and timely supply of medicines and other essential goods have been disrupted. Students, workers, traders and trtravellers are suffering for no fault of their own.
“Meghalaya cannot afford to acquire an image of insecurity and instability. It takes years to build confidence among tourists, investors and visitors, but only a few incidents and an incompetent response from the government to destroy that confidence”, the MPCC said.
The MPCC said it is equally concerned about the handling of the Meghalaya-Assam border situation. Sensitive inter-state matters require mature leadership, continuous dialogue and timely intervention. They should never be allowed to escalate unnecessarily because of administrative negligence, political calculations or lack of sincerity.
For too long, this government has attempted to cover failures of governance with announcements, assurances and publicity. Allegations of corruption, lack of transparency and a culture of making promises without effective implementation have steadily weakened public confidence in the administration. When governance becomes reactive rather than preventive, it is ordinary citizens who ultimately suffer, the MPCC said.
The Congress said it makes its position absolutely clear.
“We condemn violence from any quarter. No political demand, protest or disagreement can justify attacks on innocent citizens, destruction of property or disruption of essential services”, the MPCC said.
But maintaining law and order and protecting every citizen is the fundamental responsibility of the elected Government. The Government cannot simply condemn incidents after they occur. Its responsibility is to anticipate, prevent, protect and act, it said.
The MPCC called upon the NPP-BJP-led government to immediately restore confidence, ensure uninterrupted movement of medicines and essential commodities, provide security to travellers and tourists, engage sincerely with all stakeholders, and handle the Assam-Meghalaya border situation through responsible and effective dialogue.
Meghalaya deserves governance, not excuses; action, not lip service; transparency, not corruption; and leadership that protects its people rather than leaving them to bear the consequences of governmental incompetence, the MPCC said.
