People defeated separatist movements: Governor

SHILLONG: Governor Tathagata Roy said on Saturday the separatist movements which took place in different parts of India, including the North East, did not succeed because they did not have the support of majority of the population.
Roy was speaking at the annual Get-Together of Harmony organised by the Central Puja Committee (CPC) here. The governor’s speech comes on a day when a minor blast injured four persons in Guwahati.
Roy observed that rebels failed not because of army deployment but because people were not interested.
“We have been united for the last 70 years and we will continue to be united for all times to come,” he said and added that many separatist leaders and so many rebels have also come back to the mainstream.
He recalled that Shillong had witnessed aberrations during 1979 and 1992.
“We have forgotten all of that. This is not the central thing and it is not important. What is important is that we have again learnt to live together, which is the biggest strength of this country,” Roy said.
Former chief minister Mukul Sangma, who was also present at the function, stressed the need for promoting peace and harmony and called upon leaders and citizens to act collectively for the future.
“We need to create a future that has the right kind of enabling environment for the next generation. We all aspire to have peace, happiness and sense of well-being for the future generations,” he added.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Meghalaya State Planning Board chairman Lambor Malngiang, CPC general secretary JL Das and CPC president Naba Bhattarcharjee.
Several religious leaders who spoke at the programme called for peace and brotherhood among all denominations.
An all-faith prayer attended by the heads of various religious denominations was also held.