By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Union minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma has said that the Congress-led MUA government has failed in ensuring better law and order situation especially in Garo Hills and also in finalizing the State mineral policy.
The law and order situation in Garo Hills needs to be improved and dialogue should be initiated with the militant groups to ensure lasting peace and the root cause of militancy also needs to be analysed, Agatha said recently in Shillong.
While there is a constant clash between the police and GNLA in Garo Hills, the ANVC and its breakaway group, ANVC ( B) have significant presence in Garo Hills. Though LAEF was neutralized by the Meghalaya police, the remnants of the group are still active in East Garo Hills and bordering West Khasi Hills.
Miss Sangma also criticized the Government for the undue delay in finalizing the mining policy.
“The State Government should announce the mining policy at the earliest and the delay has resulted in environmental degradation due to the reckless mining activities being carried out in parts of the State”, she said.
The Deputy Chief Minister in charge BM Lanong recently said that the mining policy, which would be placed before the Cabinet shortly, would address the concerns of various quarters.