Shillong, July 31:

Brief

– BJP leader and Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai has made slew of promises on his first day as Minister
– Promises ILP for Meghalaya is BJP gets absolute majority in 2023 Assembly elections
– Shullai wants Meghalaya police to guard the State’s borders in line with Mizoram
– Shullai implies support for Mizoram police action against Assam police
– Assures justice for daily wage earners and marginalized

Full Report

BJP leader and Cabinet Minister, Sanbor Shullai has promised a plethora of benefits to the people of Meghalaya if Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is voted to power in 2023 Assembly elections.

On his first day of assuming the office as a Cabinet Minister on Friday, Shullai said BJP can give ILP to Meghalaya in 5 minutes if it is voted to power with absolute majority.

“If we have our own full-fledged BJP government, we will get ILP in 5 minutes,” Shullai told reporters.

His statement comes when questions are being raised on ILP becoming a poll plank for political parties to rally masses behind it. The pro-ILP groups have also not ruled out the possibility of the issue getting a political direction with parties using it to garnet votes. The demand of ILP in Meghalaya has been going on for decades with many parties promising it, but nothing substantial has come to fruition. However, the incumbent NPP-led MDA has passed a resolution in Meghalaya Assembly in 2019 to demand for ILP in the state, and the same was forwarded to Ministry of Home Affair, the fate of which remains unknown. The demand for ILP in state has picked pace and vigour after Centre granted ILP to Manipur in 2019. Since January 01, 2020, all travelers to Manipur are requires to get an ILP permit.

Big Gifts for Meghalaya

The three-time legislator from South Shillong said BJP-ruled states in the North East region are getting lots of benefits besides different kinds of schemes.

“If they give BJP at least 33 (seats) we will form our own government and you will see that time milk and honey will come, and Meghalaya will change,” Shullai said.

The BJP leader also asked the people to learn from the wisdom of the electorate of Nagaland particularly the educated youths.

“A state having 90 percent Christians, we have won 13 MLAs and (now) deputy CM is also from the BJP,” he said while pointing out at the development of Nagaland. He added this is the example for the electorate of Meghalaya state that this is the first government which had given plenty of schemes to the rural villages.

Meghalaya police should man Meghalaya borders

Shullai is of the opinion that Meghalaya police should protect its inter-state borders. Citing the recent clash at Vairengte town between Assam police and Mizoram police which was supported by its people, he said the people of Mizoram have proved that they love and they are together to protect their identity.

“This is an example that we should have the spirit to protect our people we have to utilize our force – the police should go in the front to talk with the Assam police,” he said.

His statement comes in view of the recent clash between residents of Meghalaya and Assam police at Iongkhuli village in Ri Bhoi district over erection of electricity poles my Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

“The public and the police of Assam keep on harassing our people in the border area; time has come not only to talk and take tea…we have to react, we have to act at the spot only,” he said.

However, he clarified that violence was not the way to sort things out.

He said the two states must maintain status quo in areas of difference, but the long pending issue needs to be resolved at the earliest.

On the clash at Mizoram – Assam border that led to death of 6 Assam Police personnel, while he did not justify any one’s action, he alluded that he was in support of Mizoram police action.

“If the enemies come to your house, attack you and your wife and children, you also have to attack in self defense, the same thing it should be done in our borders… if your enemy comes to your house to steal or rob your house, you have to protect yourself, whether it is legal or illegal, you have to protect,” he said.

Financial aid to marginalized workers

Shullai has also assured to address the issue related to the financial aid for the daily wage earners in the State. He said he will review all the departments under him from Monday with the issues concerning the interest of the poor people and labourers being his priority.

“This will be the first issue which I am going to take up on Monday with the concerned officers,” he said while adding there will be no compromise when it comes to ensuring justice to the beneficiaries.

He assured that justice will be done and whatever money they are supposed to get, it will go directly to their bank accounts.