Shillong, Nov 23: UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday demanded the Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui to immediately step down from his position as he has allegedly failed to protect the lives of the people of the state.

“He (Lahkmen Rymbui) should take moral responsibility by immediately stepping down as the home minister as he has failed to protect the people of the state,” Paul Lyngdoh told reporters.

This came a day after five persons were killed in the firing by Assam police at Mukroh village in West Jaintia Hills District.

He said Rymbui as a Home Minister has failed on all fronts.

On Tuesday, Rymbui, after visiting Mukroh, had also briefed the incident to the party leaders during a meeting convened by UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh.

Paul also questioned the statement of Rymbui that he is not responsible for the firing incident at Mukroh.

“How can people from Meghalaya be shot dead in their own land? And how can a Home Minister wash his hands by saying he hasn’t ordered the firing and that it is not his responsibility?” he asked.

Paul said that Rymbui has no moral right to continue as home minister.