By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Secretary WMS Pariat on Monday assured that the two MeECL officials who had been abducted by the GNLA last week were safe.
“We have got credible information that both of them are safe,” Pariat said while speaking to reporters on Monday.
While refusing to divulge details about the steps being taken by the Government for the safe release of the two abducted officials, the Chief Secretary only said, “All necessary steps are being taken.”
When asked if the Government had sent any feelers to the GNLA for the release of the two MeECL officials, he denied any such move by the Government.
Pariat also stated that there has not been any demand of ransom by the outfit so far.
When asked why the Government had failed to ensure the safety of its employees in Garo Hills, the Chief Secretary said that the Government has been taking steps to ensure the safety of its employees.
Speaking on the demand from certain sections that Khasi-Jaintia employees should be transferred from Garo Hills, Pariat said, “I do not subscribe to this idea since a Government employees is required to serve across the State.”
He also stated that the State Government was committed to improve the power scenario in Garo Hills. “There is no question of step-motherly treatment by the Government towards the people of Garo Hills as no Government functions in that way,” Pariat added.
It may be noted that after abducting the two MeECL engineers the GNLA had issued a seven-day deadline to the State Government to respond on the dismal power scenario in the interior areas of Garo Hills.