TURA, April 23: Launching a scathing attack on the state government over the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Meghalaya and Assam on the interstate border row, the Achik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) has called Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma “spineless” and a “yes man” of Assam.
The vilification comes at a time when the state government continues to rule out any possibility of a review of the MoU, despite a series of demands.
On Friday, pressure groups, who had been knocking on the doors of the state government for a review of the MoU, had decided to petition Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the same.
Now, the AYWO, airing its objection, has called the MoU autocratic in nature.
“We are apolitical in our actions and what we have found in the MoU is the autocratic nature of the settlement. The voice of the people has not been taken at all in the case. We urge the CM to hear the voices of the Garos residing in West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills before making such sweeping changes,” said AYWO president, Sengbath Marak.
The AYWO alleged that no dialogues were held with the people from the areas that have been given away to Assam.
“The people of these villages don’t want to be a part of Assam as they are genuine citizens of our state. CM Conrad Sangma and his cabinet pawns are acting dictatorial, going to the extent of calling the MoU non-reversible. We feel he has become spineless to the needs of the people of the state and has become the ‘Yes Man’ of the Assam government,” the AYWO president added.
According to him, the EM in-charge of Elaka GHADC, Jambor War, had also stated that the reports of the regional committees were not even considered in the final draft.
“The Government has kept even the KHADC in the dark. What is so secretive about the MoU that it has not been posted on the public domain? When the people of the areas ceded have voiced their intent of being with Meghalaya which only shows that the MOU was signed against the will of the people,” said the AYWO president.
The AYWO also suggested that a fresh memorandum be considered by the government in the presence of media and the general public instead of dictating it.
“Let the people of those areas decide whether they want to be a part of Meghalaya or Assam,” it said.