Shillong, Dec 11: The National People’s Party today said that it was ‘quite unfortunate’ that the leader of opposition Mukul M Sangma has once again attacked the MDA government over the issue of ILP.

“Despite multiple clarifications from the government, it seems as if Dr. Mukul Sangma is unable to digest the fact that the current government is exceeding people’s expectations and is committed to work tirelessly for the well-being of the people of the state”, said NPP national youth president Nicky Nongkhlaw.

Nongkhlaw reasoned as to why Mukul is investing time in blame game and petty politics, when he can use his time to serve the people of his constituency.

“Why is it that these confusions dwell only within Mr. Sangma’s head time and again. Seems like a case of an idle mind being a devil’s workshop”, said the youth president of NPP in a press conference held in NPP party office in Shillong.

“Nonetheless, it is our duty to be accountable to our people, and thus, we reassure them that the issues of MRSSA and ILP are being pursued by the government with the leadership in Delhi at the highest level. In fact, the Governor of Meghalaya and the Chief Minister are in constant touch, and the governor has assured us that he will take up these issues at his level with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,” he informed.

He also said that the public are intelligent enough to recognize that the MRSSA had to go through a stage of redrafting to give it teeth and make it full proof, ensuring that none of the aspirations of the people of Meghalaya are left out.

Amended MRSSA is robust

“The revised MRSSA will put a check on the influx of illegal migrants in the state and will ensure that there is adequate protection of the indigenous communities in Meghalaya. The MRSSA in its current form is more robust and substantial unlike during the Congress regime where it was toothless and vague”, he added.

“The MRSSA passed by Mukul’s government was just an instrument to play with people’s emotions to earn petty vote banks. We’re all aware that it did not echo the needs and voice of our people”, the youth leader said.

Pro-ILP agitations  

The NPP youth leader reminded that during the Congress regime in 2013, unspeakable number of innocent citizens were autocratically arrested by the government in just a matter of few months. “Helpless people of the state had to bear the brunt of the situation under the dictatorial and totalitarian regime led by Dr. Mukul Sangma. Innocent people lost their lives; simply because the Congress had shut their eyes and ears to the voice of the public”, Nongkhlaw said.

Ignorant and careless attitude of Mukul regime

NPP reminded that Mukul Sangma’s government had voiced out his ignorant and careless attitude towards the ILP issue through the high-level committee of 2012. “His government had constituted a high-level committee (HLC) in 2012. There was a deliberation with all stakeholders including NGOs, traditional heads, ministers and district councils. The committee collectively recommended ILP. The Congress out rightly rejected the recommendations and did nothing. Bindo Lanong, the then Deputy Chief Minister criticised the government over its inaction as well and stated that the constitution of the committee was a waste, since Congress had refused to take action over it”.

“If Dr. Sangma did not listen to a seasoned politician like Mr. Lanong, and to a committee appointed by his own self, how can we expect him to listen to the voice of the people? He merely knows how to distract the public’s attention by coming up with immaterial bills like the Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill that would have made the local people of Meghalaya minority within their own state”.

“The people of Meghalaya are wise enough to know that it is only after the MDA government came into power that long-pending demands of the people are being taken into consideration at the highest level by none other than the Chief Minister himself. Crucial issues like the MRSSA and ILP are being raised with the central government for the first time, thanks to the leadership of the current MDA Government. The Governor has assured the Chief Minister that he will be meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and express the urgency of the matter. We thank the people of the State for entrusting their faith on our party and for their continuing support”, Nongkhlaw added.