SHILLONG, Feb 12: Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma has raised concern over the purported division within the civil society in the state while observing that social organisations are not as assertive and alert as they once used to be.
Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Saturday, Mukul Sangma said, “I am sorry to say this and this is my observation that we used to have vigilant, alert and assertive civil society organisations but now, they all are divided. “
The Opposition leader said that he does not see the same kind of alert and vigilant society from back when they took a stand and were assertive for the greater good of the people. “This is missing and slowly it is disappearing; it is a matter of concern,” he added.
While stating that different laws like Lokayukta, RTI and transparent recruitment policies have been formulated in the nation, he remarked that politicians seem to be getting away with complete sense of impunity.
According to Sangma, some politicians are unbothered and continue to engage in blatant lies while on denial mode, even as he added that there is a need for the social organisations to look at how to bring in more people so that more voices can be heard.
Citing an instance, the Leader of the Opposition said that they will make an attempt to throttle the voice of the civil society while questioning the delay in charge-sheeting the case of assault on Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) president, Agnes Kharshiing, and her colleague.
On the same contention, he said that if the government keeps on transferring police officials, the charge-sheeting of the case will be delayed. “But 2023 is not far and things will change,” he added.