By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The standoff between the State Government and the agitating NGOs is still on despite the Government bowing down to at least one of the demands of the NGOs of closing down the voters’ facilitation centres.
The Shillong Times on Sunday spoke to prominent personalities and sought their reaction on how to break the deadlock so as to restore the climate of peace and normalcy in the State.
Former IAS officer Toki Blah while giving his comments on the issue said that the Government and the NGOs are trying to tackle the symptom of problem as the main issue confronting the State for the past 30 years is influx.
“Political parties are not bothered about the issues and they only react when the NGOs agitate,” Blah added.
According to Blah, the issue must be solved through dialogue at the earliest as the daily wage earners would suffer the most.
The statement assumes significance as the agitating NGOs have called for a 12-hour bandh on Monday in protest against the Government’s attitude.
GH Kharshanlor, member of Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), one of the agitating groups, stated that they are ready for talks with the Government to sort out the issues but so far there has been no call to that effect.
Reacting to a query on the bandh, he said, “The Government’s attitude is compelling us to call a bandh.”
On the other hand, Urban Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh urged the agitating NGOs to have faith and trust in the leadership of all the leaders who had participated in the all-party meeting.
“We can’t just do what we want. We have to abide by the laws of the Election Commission of India,” Lyngdoh added.
It may be mentioned that the agitating NGOs have been demanding that the voters’ enrolment process should be stopped in the State.
Prior to the proposed bandh, the agitating NGOs earlier had also called for night-road blockades and office picketing in four districts of the State.
RTI activist Micheal Syiem says that the Government should be more serious in tackling the issue and needs to give a definite assurance to the NGOs to sort out the issues.
When asked about the bandh culture, Syiem said, “Some sacrifices have to be made for any cause but NGOs must strike a balance while calling agitations so as to ensure that common people do not suffer.