SHILLONG: In an emotional outburst, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Wednesday lashed out at political leaders of the State for creating a sense of insecurity in the minds of people through their talks.
The Chief Minister made an emotional speech with tears in his eyes while addressing the International Seminar on Cultural Heritage and Peace Education at the newly-constructed State Convention Centre here.
“It pains when political leaders talk about the community and infuse a sense of insecurity in the minds of the people,” the Chief Minister said, while adding that such lectures lead to communal hatred.
He blamed the political leaders for the present unrest in the State and stated that people here are often taken for a ride and vested interests take advantage of the situation to create communal hatred.
“When people are enlightened ) with education, they know how to insulate themselves from such manipulations,” he said.
Recalling the 2011 Garo Rabha communal clashes that left many people dead, Dr Sangma said that the incident occurred because ‘people have forgotten the traditional values that the forefathers of the State had taught’.
He reminded that the first nominated member in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council was a non-ingenious member from Phulbari – an indication of the “positive receptiveness of our forefathers”.
While stating that Shillong is a cosmopolitan city, the Chief Minister said the previous generations of the State had traditional values and the spirit of love and compassion.
Commenting on the Hill State movement, he said even the All Party Hills Leaders’ Conference, which was a conglomeration of political parties, had a wing that was led by a non tribal leader which shows that the forefathers of the State possessed the spirit of love and compassion.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister, with tears in his eyes, said that during the elections, he had prayed for the good and wisdom of the people.
A long pause ensued after which the Chief Minister ended his speech.