By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 9: After the proscribed HNLC decided to withdraw from the peace process, state Congress chief Vincent Pala slammed the Centre and the state government for their alleged lack of seriousness in the matter.
“There is no seriousness on the part of the Centre and the state government. They make big promises in their (election) manifesto but in reality, they don’t care for the people of the Northeast,” Pala said on Tuesday.
Claiming that the Congress ushered in peace in the region, he said the efforts of the previous Congress government were squandered.
On the HNLC’s demand for amnesty, Pala said the government should be proactive in achieving a solution by any means. He said any demand has to be negotiated and that, nothing is considered impossible in discussions.
Alleging that many commitments in peace pacts signed with rebel groups, including ANVC, have not been respected, he said the BJP government is known for its failure.
The Congress leader extended his support to peace talks. He said people cannot afford to lose their lives because of guns.
He said if the HNLC talks have failed, new negotiators can be engaged. He asked the outfit not to run away from negotiations but come forward and be more proactive in the talks.
Meanwhile, Pala lambasted the state government for its decision to bring a large number of coke plants in the state “for the sake of money”.
Talking about the state government’s performance, he said both MDA 1 and MDA 2 had committed to providing 5 lakh jobs but could not touch even the one lakh mark so far.
“How much employment did they make in five years? The answer is zero. They promised coal (mining) resumption but the result is zero. Instead, they brought in coke plants which have become poison for the people,” Pala said.
He alleged it was out of sheer greed that the government took the decision to open more and more coke plants. He accused it of spoiling the entire Jaintia Hills region.
Pala said the ego of Congress leaders was the reason the NPP-led formation got a second chance to form the government. But people will reflect and reconsider the matter starting from the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said.