SHILLONG, Nov 25: The state Congress on Friday demanded that the entire Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, step down owning moral responsibility for the Mukroh shooting incident.
Talking to reporters after a condolence and prayer meeting for the five villagers who lost their lives, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) working president PN Syiem said the present Cabinet should be held responsible for failing to protect the lives of the Khasi villagers residing along the interstate border.
“The Mukroh incident took place within the territory of Meghalaya. It clearly proved that the Assam police fired indiscriminately at the innocent villagers. This incident has raised a big question about the security of our border residents,” Syiem said.
He said the state government did not react or register a protest when people raised concerns after the Assam government had set up a police outpost at Saba in West Jaintia Hills. He asked how the villagers can feel safe after such an incident that took place within Meghalaya and not in the disputed area or the territory of Assam.
“The whole Cabinet should take the responsibility and allow others to take over. They will be responsible for providing security to the Khasi villagers residing along the border,” Syiem said.
Meanwhile, he said the personal security officers and security personnel, who guard the bungalows and official quarters of ministers and senior government officials, should be sent to the border to provide security to the villagers.
“The official bungalows and quarters of the ministers and officers are fully fenced. The security of the people in the border areas should be the priority at the moment. Sadly, our people are living in fear,” Syiem said.
The Congress demanded government jobs for at least one member of each of the five families.
MPCC vice president Ronnie V Lyngdoh alleged the National People’s Party (NPP), which heads the state’s coalition government, is not concerned about the safety and security of the border villagers.
According to him, the NPP’s priority is to strengthen its party organisation and not the issues afflicting the people of the state. He slammed the parties in the MDA for their claims that they are part of NEDA for the sake of development.
“But the reality is that they are part of NEDA for the sake of surrendering before Assam government,” Lyngdoh, also an MDC, said.
He criticised CM Sangma for allegedly not condemning the Assam government action.
“He did not utter a word against the Assam government. He was busy saying the state government will apprise the Centre of the incident,” Lyngdoh said.
The Congress also organised a candlelight vigil in memory of the people who lost their lives in the Mukroh incident. Nongstoin MDC Gabriel Wahlang, former minister JA Lyngdoh and party candidate from Mawlai Marbud Dkhar were among those who were present.
The People’s Democratic Front (PDF), an ally of the ruling NPP, will approach Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma with the demand for setting up the proposed police outpost right near the interstate border with Assam at Mukroh. The party will also demand a border regiment or border battalion to ensure safety of the border residents.
Stressing the need for a state border force, PDF working president Banteidor Lyngdoh said: “There is a an urgent need to set up this special force in order to ensure that incidents like Mukroh and Langpih do not occur again.”
He also demanded that those responsible for killing five innocent people should serve jail term in Meghalaya.
He admitted that future negotiations on the border issue between the two neighbouring states will be affected in view of the Mukroh killings.
