By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Conrad K Sangma, on Friday urged Governor RS Mooshahary to convene a Winter Assembly Session to discuss pertinent issues concerning the State.
Sangma, who had called on the Governor, later told scribes that he had apprised Mooshahary that the Assembly had met for only 16 days this year.
“I have told the Governor that in other States Assemblies and the Parliament they would atleast meet for 50 days in a single calendar year. But sadly this does not happen in our State. Not holding the Winter Assembly session is a clear indication of the laidback attitude of the Government,” the Opposition Leader stated.
Sangma also said that the Governor had taken note of the same and assured him that he would talk to the State Government on the need to convene the Assembly session on a regular basis.
Sangma, however, mentioned that he would not take up the matter with Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma. “It is useless to meet the Chief Minister since till date there has been no response to my letters on the need to hold more Assembly sessions,” Sangma added.
Replying to a query, he said that the Opposition would decide on their future course of action if the Winter Assembly session is not conducted.
The Opposition Leader also lambasted the State Government for its failure to handle the law and order situation in Garo Hills, adding that a fear psychosis has gripped the people over the presence of armed forces who are engaged in counter-insurgency operations.
While condemning the various illegal activities of the GNLA, he questioned whether the Government decision to go all out against the outfit was the right step.
“I believe there are so many other options which the Government can think of to restore normalcy in Garo Hills. Besides the operation by the armed forces, the Government should also look for some other option to neutralize the GNLA,” he added.
Sangma, however, was not too sure whether the reported arrest of GNLA chairman Champion R Sangma would have any impact on the activities of the outfit.
“It would be clear in a few days if the arrest of Champion will have any effect on the activities of the GNLA. If true, the arrest of the GNLA chairman is a great achievement. This would definitely open new doors for restoring normalcy in Garo Hills,” Sangma told reporters here on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sangma also criticized the Government for not keeping its promise made to the surrendered GNLA cadres.
Stating that the Government has failed to provide any facility to the cadres, he said,
“This attitude of the Government would discourage the GNLA cadres from surrendering in the future.”