After a prolonged agony the MUA-3 is set to navigate the stormy seas of Meghalaya’s tumultuous politics once again. Although on the face of it there is a temporary lull in the storm mainly because of the AICC intervention it remains to be seen whether the so-called dissident camp will actually fold their tent in Delhi so soon. The fact that a minister designate refused to show up at the swearing in ceremony on Tuesday is clear indication that chief minister Mukul Sangma’s troubles are far from over. Nevertheless Sangma has got some respite for now. But is that good enough? And would it allow his government to pursue the much-needed agenda of governance?
The chief minister himself admitted that Meghalaya is lagging far behind in all sectors of development and that the government must concentrate on giving a thrust to areas of employment generation and infrastructure creation. Upon taking over as chief minister last year, Dr Sangma had spelt out a number of proposed initiatives. So far he has not been able to give shape to those proposals. The Integrated Basin Development Programme which aims to generate rural employment around river basins is yet to take off. No one can blame Dr Sangma. He has hardly had time to get his act together. Much of his energy was spent in guarding his seat. Add to that the inefficiency of his cabinet colleagues for which the chief minister had to take the flak, and one year flew past in a jiffy.
Now that he has been given a new lease of life the chief minister should take a call on the affairs of Garo Hills where militancy has suddenly gone on a spurt. The GNLA may have a thousand excuses for violence but their modus operandi is criminal and that is how they have be dealt with. Any delay in tackling this new face of violence will take a toll on the development of the State. As it is, the GNLA today have had a free run of the land. They have abducted for ransom, extorted money from government officials and business people and killed those who challenged their might. The Government cannot be on the back-foot as far as militancy is concerned because that would compromise the development of Meghalaya. Garo Hills is a tourist’s destination but militancy will put paid to all tourism potentials of the region. The Chief Minister must now concentrate on curbing violence and quashing militancy instead of simply containing it. Two of the three new incumbents in Dr Mukul Sangma’s team are neither seasoned nor experienced. He will still have to do a lot of back-seat driving to see that they perform to the optimum.