SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma on Friday stated that the pressure groups who are demanding the implementation of the ILP are behaving like militants.
“We all know that bandhs, agitations, particularly when they are associated with violent demonstrations, damage to property, creating fear psychosis, are all attributes of militant organisations,” Dr. Sangma told newspersons here on Friday. “It is an irony that many a time the Government is said to be dictatorial. But who is really trying to be dictatorial?” the Chief Minister said, adding, “Forcing people not to come out and creating fear psychosis through violent activities are undemocratic.”
“Reading between the lines, I don’t think that the pressure groups want to address the issue of influx, and that is why they have been behaviour in this manner,” he added.
Dr. Sangma also stated that he believed that the agitators were intelligent enough to understand that the Government is doing the right thing to address the issue of influx.
“Nobody likes bandhs associated with violent activities and destruction of public and private properties. Meghalaya would do well if the State does not have any more agitations like these,” the Chief Minister observed.
Dr. Sangma also stated that despite having many laws, the State never had enough manpower to enforce the laws to check influx.
“But now we have sanctioned the manpower. We have sanctioned the Anti-Infiltration Directorate and posts of labour inspectors,” he said, while asking the pressure groups to repose their faith in the Government. “That is how you allow the State to grow,” he said.