Govt to go after those funding youths to unleash violence

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has asserted that the government will go after those who are funding the youths from outside the city to create trouble for the residents.
“Certain individuals are funding the agitation. We have their names and the evidence is that the agitators are given expensive alcohol and money to unleash violence,” Sangma told reporters on Sunday after a high-level meeting with the police and other officials.
According to Sangma, some youths who were arrested had confessed that they were given money to agitate.
The police believe that majority of the youths who are agitating on city streets are from West Khasi Hills and outskirts of the city.
Sangma said after holding meetings with the headmen of various localities and the stakeholders concerned they were of the opinion that the protesters were not from the city areas.
“We are wondering who these people are. None of these people are from the Shillong localities. Who are the individuals and from where they are coming. All these will be looked into,” Sangma said.
The chief minister asserted that stern action will be taken against people who are giving money to the youths to create trouble.
“We have some names and detailed probe will be conducted into the matter,” Sangma said.
To a question whether Congress politicians are involved to destabilise the government, the chief minister said, “I would not like to comment on the matter.”
Asked about any political angle, he said naturally, some politicians may take advantage of the issue.
He also said the police are keeping restraint while dealing with the agitators.
“In the first 48 hours, we did not resort to any retaliation. If needed, the police will be aggressive to tackle the situation,” Sangma said.
The chief minister said on Friday he had a fruitful meeting with the headmen of various city localities, local MLA Adelbert Nongrum, among others and engaged a number of stakeholders.
According to the chief minister, the headmen had appealed to the agitated crowd of youths to go back, but it was not adhered to.
He wondered as to why the appeal of the elders was not respected by the youths.
Asserting that every life will be protected, Sangma said the government is firm that there is no harm to human life as the security forces are patiently dealing with the situation though many of them were injured.