SHILLONG, Sep 25: Congress leader, Dr Mukul Sangma has asked the government to not take the reports of militants trying to regroup in western Meghalaya lightly.
Talking to reporters on Saturday, he said the government should not be complacent but take measures to ensure that militancy cannot rear its ugly head again in that region.
The Leader of the Opposition recalled that when he donned the Chief Minister’s mantle in 2010, the youth were excited about joining the militant organisations and the people in the state were deeply concerned over the trend.
“But, didn’t we bring them back to the mainstream? We must spread this message,” Mukul said.
He said not even a single group was active when the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) rose to power in 2018.
According to Mukul, instances of irregularities, corruption and government found wanting in issues will make the youth angry and frustrated and that is when they become vulnerable.
The Congress leader said the previous government could overcome this challenge by being able to convince the youth to abjure the path of violence and return to the national mainstream.
He accused the MDA of playing to the gallery for its statement that incidents of kidnappings occurred during the previous government. He said there have been such incidents also under the present government.
On a month ago, Mukul had asked the state government to take note of the regrouping of insurgents in Garo Hills region. He had also alleged that incidents were taking place frequently in the eastern part of the region after the western part.
“Regrouping is already taking place. Even as I speak now, cadres are moving with sophisticated guns,” the Leader of Opposition had warned.
He had also called for an efficient system to track every move of militant outfits.
