From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over illegal immigration and unscientific mining in Jaintia Hills even as she assured that her party, both at the Centre and State level is committed to resolving the issues plaguing the area.
Gandhi was addressing a public rally here ahead of the February 23 polls in Meghalaya.
“The governments both at the Centre and the State are looking into how to stem illegal immigration and I am hopeful that we will reach a satisfactory solution,” she said in election meeting at the Kiang Nangbah College ground here.
The Congress president also said that the Centre is aware of the threat illegal mining posed to the environment and informed that certain measures have already been taken to this effect.
While urging the public to vote the party to power again, Sonia highlighted the achievements of the Congress-led MUA government in the State.
Noting that Meghalaya was one of the fastest growing States in the country, she said it excelled both in terms of development and administration.
Sonia pointed out that the government at the Centre and the State are initiating road projects to connect rural areas to urban neighbouhood.
Calling upon the youth to play a vital role in the State’s progress, the UPA chairperson said that Meghalaya is a ‘home of challenges and hardworking people’.
Earlier, over 7000 people attended the rally where the AICC president was accompanied by MPCC President, DD Lapang, AICC secretary in charge Meghalaya, Mukul Wasnik, All India Women Congress Committee (AIWCC) general secrtary, Ambika Soni, OL Nongtdu and Sanjay Bapna.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma along with DD Lapang received the Congress leaders as people of East and West JaintiaHills districts rushed to the venue which was under a blanket of thick security.
Our Tura Correspondent adds
At another election meeting at Tura, the Congress President assured the people that if Congress comes back to power, the State will witness many more developmental schemes being launched and implemented for farmers and the general public of the region.
Addressing the gathering at the MP stadium in Tura, Sonia highlighted the achievements of the Congress-led government to drum up support for the party candidates.
Appealing to the people to help Congress come back to power, the AICC President, who came to Tura for the second time, appealed to the gathering to support the Congress in forming the next Government in Meghalaya.
The rally gave further momentum to Congress’ election campaign in Garo Hills.
Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi will also address an election rally in Williamnagar on Wednesday.
Talking of various developments brought out by the Government led by Dr Mukul Sangma, Sonia said that it was the Congress which had brought and successfully implemented the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme effectively in the State.
Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma also highlighted the achievements of the government during the rally.