By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Taking strong note of the abduction of two MeECL officials in Garo Hills by GNLA ultras, the UDP has sought the immediate intervention of the State Government for the safe release of the abducted officials.
“We would want the Government to ensure the immediate release of the abducted officials,” UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said in a statement on Friday.
“If the Government fails to ensure the safe release of the two officials we would be forced to demand the immediate transfer of all the Khasi-Jaintia government employees from Garo Hills,” Lyngdoh stated.
He also condemned Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh for failing to live up to the expectations of his office.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh said that the party leaders would meet on Monday to discuss the matter in details.
Meanwhile, MeECL Engineers’ Association and Association of Power Engineers have jointly condemned the abduction leading to insecurity amongst officers serving in Garo Hills and requested the State Government and MeECL management to initiate immediate action for the safe release of the two officers and to ensure security of the officers serving in Garo Hills.
In a statement issued after an emergent meeting on Friday, the two associations appealed to the abductors for the immediate and safe release of both the officers unconditionally on humanitarian ground in order to normalize the working atmosphere in the interest of developmental activities for the people of Garo Hills.
The two associations also wanted all security personnel posted in MeECL offices and other vital installations to be allowed use of weapons as a safety measure.
Meanwhile, the Achik Citizens Welfare Organisation and All India Garo Union have issued a joint statement pleading the abductors to immediately release the two MeECL engineers.
“This unpleasant incident would be a stumbling block which will demoralize officials from working in Garo Hills thereby adversely affecting all the developmental works,” the joint statement said.
“With the abduction, all good moves will be hit hard and will come down to a grinding halt,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the SSSS has urged the GNLA to release the two officers unharmed since this issue may turn into a communal distrust between the two tribal groups of the State.
“If this issue becomes communal GNLA will be blamed for it,” the SSSS said, while asking the State Government to beef up security for all the government officials working in Garo Hills.
The Confederation of Ri Bhoi People (CORP), Central Body had also denounced the abduction of the two MeECL engineers. The CORP also expressed fears that this action by the GNLA can lead to communal flare-up between the Khasi and the Garo communities. The organisation also appealed for the safe release of the two engineers.