Political parties, others appeal for Chokpot BDO’s release

SHILLONG/TURA: Various political parties from the State on Friday condemned the kidnapping of Chokpot BDO, Jude Rangku T Sangma and called for his immediate release.
National People’s Party (NPP) spokesperson James Sangma, while slamming the incident said, “These kinds of incidents create fear psychosis in the minds of the general public. The government must take adequate measures to ensure that government servants and the public in general are safe.”
The NPP also urged the state government to ensure the safe and unconditional release of the BDO at the earliest.
The BDO was kidnapped by the proscribed GNLA on Tuesday last.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress also condemned the kidnapping of the BDO.
“If local officers like Sangma who, despite the threats and difficulties, try to discharge their duties with due diligence are kidnapped then there will be a dearth of officers in the far flung government offices of Garo Hills. As it is, Chokpot block is an underdeveloped area and if government officers trying to work for the upliftment of this area are not safe, then soon, no officer or government employee for that matter will want to go and work in Chokpot. We urge the kidnappers to release Sangma unconditionally taking into mind the welfare of the people of Chokpot area,” the MPYC said in a statement.
The United Christian Peace Forum (UCPF) of Garo Hills has urged the kidnappers of Chokpot BDO, Jude Rangku T Sangma to release him unconditionally.
Stating that the kidnapping would only send a wrong message to other government officials serving in remote areas, the forum appealed the captors to release the victim in the interest of the entire Garo community.
Meanwhile, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has said that the continued lawlessness in the State is a matter of grave concern and the present government has failed miserably in maintaining law and order thereby losing the moral right to continue in office.
The party also demanded an independent inquiry into the misappropriation of huge amounts of public money and the involvement of political figures in such incidents.
UDP General Secretary AF Dkhar said that the recent abduction of the Chokpot BDO and the subsequent revelations has shocked the people of the state and further substantiated the party’s view.