SHILLONG, Dec 9: The ruling as well as the opposition sides in Meghalaya have univocally emphasised that the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) is the platform from where the Centre can be moved as far as raising the matter on repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is concerned.
Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the issue of repealing AFSPA can be taken up with the Government of India through NEDA. “Our party is a part of NEDA and I am sure our Chief Minister will take up the matter in the platform to pressurize the Union Government,” he said, even as he added that he fully endorses the repealing of the Act from the North East.
“I feel the Government of India must withdraw this Act as there are lots of loopholes and this Act has disadvantages towards the civilians of the North East,” he said.
From the Opposition camp, Mawlai MLA PT Sawkmie maintained that the most of the regional parties in the state and even in the North East are a part and parcel of NEDA and they should take up the matter through this platform which will create pressure on the central government to repeal AFSPA.
The North-East Democratic Alliance is a political coalition that was formed on May 24, 2016, by Bharatiya Janata Party. The motive of the new political front was to protect the interest of the people of the region as well as uniting non-Congress parties in the North East. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was appointed as the Convenor of the front.
It may be mentioned that several political parties from Meghalaya including NPP, UDP and others are a part of NEDA.
