Shillong, Mar 1: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Vincent H Pala on Tuesday once again attacked the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government with the ‘illegal check gates as ATMs’ barb, accusing the latter of setting up innumerable illegal check gates for looting the people of the state.

“The illegal check gates are ATMs of the government and there is no question that the government is willing to shut down these gates,” Pala told reporters.

“If you travel from here to Nongstoin, you will see everywhere there are gates. Just before reaching Mawngap, there will also be a gate then you will see in areas near Brolding’s house, there will be a gate,” he said.

He further added that from Byrni to Ratacherra there are around 22 check gates along the national highways.

“Nowhere in India will you have so many check gates…there is check gate for the cows, there is check gate for vegetables, there is check gate for timber, there is check gate for coal, there is check gate for human beings…,” he said.

The Congress leader further alleged that there are 6-7 check gates along the Shillong bypass and two check gates along the stretch of the Jowai bypass.

“I think they (Govt) are totally looting the people and the people are suffering so it is not just an allegation but a reality,” Pala stated.