By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 22: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Monday alleged the law and order situation in the state is in a sorry state.
Recalling that the High Court of Meghalaya had asked for the deployment of central forces to check the illegal mining and transportation of coal, VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said it was evident from the court’s direction that the state’s highest judicial body does not believe in the independence and capability of the state administration to maintain law and order.
“It is a very sorry state of affairs. When you allow that kind of breakdown of the law and order and when the police fail to maintain the rule of law, that will automatically percolate down to the society,” Myrboh said.
He also said that corruption at the political level will always lead to corruption at the lowest level in the society, as law and order situation created by the “high level” percolates down to the lower level. The fear of the law is not there anymore in the state, he claimed.
“Talk about illegal border trade and extortion on the highways. You know the people. The state government has completely failed to check these. When you talk about law and order, it does not confine to killings and violence. It is a wholesome aspect,” Myrboh said.
He added, “We, as a party, always say that in order for the state to progress and develop, we need to ensure peace and security. Law and order is very important. Peaceful co-existence of different communities is very critical for the development of the state.”
He further said, “Tourism is one of the important factors of the economy of our state but we cannot talk about the prosperity of tourism unless law and order is maintained well and there is peace.”
He said the tourists would want to visit the state when the situation is peaceful and there is a sense of security.
