Shillong, Nov 25: The congress on Friday asked the chief minister, Conrad Sangma and his council of ministers to resign over the Mukroh firing incident.
Speaking to reporters after the candle light vigil for the victims of Mukroh firing incident, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee working president PN Syiem said the whole cabinet should resign to pave way for a new government which is committed to protect the citizens of the state especially those residing along the inter-state border with Assam.
Syiem said, “We have unanimously resolved to demand the chief minister and his council of ministers to take responsibility by resigning and let others who can lead the MDA government and take decision to protect the people along the inter-state border with Assam.”
To a question, he rejected the idea of imposition of President’s Rule and said election is only two-three months away and his party would prefer to wait for the announcement of the Election Commission of India.l
Syiem, who is also opposition leader in the KHADC, said that the party will also send condolence messages to all the bereaved families, who have lost their loved ones and breadwinners in this unfortunate incident.
“We also demand the state government to appoint one member from each of the families of the victims in government jobs,” he said.
‘Lift internet ban’
Syiem also demanded the immediate lifting of the internet ban.
“The state government should also immediately announce the numbers of police outposts to be set up along the inter-state border so that people will not face any problem”, he added.
‘Institute CBI probes into other issues’
The party, while welcoming the Centre’s decision to institute a CBI probe into the Mukroh firing incident, said, “I will also be very happy if the CM and council of ministers also asked the union home minister to demand CBI inquiry into the other issues that the people are very much expected which include the illegal coal transportation.”
He also alleged that the Conrad K Sangma-led government is too weak and that is why the Assam government continues to harass and kill ‘our people residing in the border areas’.
‘No use of border talks’
When asked if the ongoing border talks should be suspended, Syiem said, “What is the use of border talks if our people are killed within the territory of the state? Therefore the border talks have no meaning at all. The state government should immediately set up border outposts in all strategic locations with Assam.”
‘Arming VDP not a solution’
Rejecting the suggestion to arm the village defence party (VDP), the Congress leader said, “Why should the untrained persons handle guns, it would be very difficult for them. It is for the state government to send the police forces to all border areas and not use people as their shield for the state.”
‘Violence in city does not solve problem’
Commenting on the violent incidents during a candlelight vigil held in Shillong on Thursday, Syiem said violence is not the solution.
“We should agitate through other forms of protests to create problems against the government especially the cabinet ministers who could not protect the lives of our people but violence will not be a solution but the only thing is that we should demand that a new government should be installed. That is very important. Why should we create violence?” he said.
Syiem said in fact the council of ministers should have taken a decision by taking action against the failure of the police “but it seems because it is not the failure of the police department, it is the failure of the government to guide the police and home department.”
Syiem also flayed Assam police for alleging that the villagers were smuggling timber.
“In fact these people are not involved in illegal timber smuggling as they are farmers. That is why saying that they are smugglers is only the tactic of the Assam police to create confusion in the minds of the people,” he said.
