Peaceful Republic Day celebrations held in State
SHILLONG/TURA: Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan asserted that the State Government is following a multi-pronged approach to address the root cause of militancy in the state.
Speaking at the official function on the occasion of Republic Day at Polo on Tuesday, V Shanmuganathan said that Government must also note that there are some serious concerns, particularly in Garo Hills.
There was a large gathering at the venues of Republic Day functions across the state in the absence of dissemination of news related to bandh.
The Governor stated that the challenge to internal security is being dealt with firmly by security forces. As per the Governor, the Government has kept its doors open for talks with militant outfits provided they eschew the path of violence even as he added that United Achi’k Liberation Army (UALA) came forward to sign the Text of Agreement and the Government is now finalizing the modalities to rehabilitate the cadres of the outfit.
He added that efforts are on to resolve the long outstanding issue of inter-State boundary dispute with Assam through discussions at various levels.
He also said that the State Government has taken steps to mobilize additional resources for development through Externally Aided Projects (EAPs). Two important EAPs namely the ‘Megha Livelihood & Access to Markets’ project and project on ‘Human Capital Development’ have already been launched.
He said that so far, 2,079 villages in the State have been declared as open defecation free (ODF) villages, adding along with the rest of the country, the State is gearing up to achieve full sanitation by October 2, 2019.
The Governor also highlighted various issues related to education sector, Information Technology, skill development, road connectivity as well as the power scenario in the State.Various programmes were also organized at Polo which attracted thousands of people.
Meanwhile in Tura, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma addressing the gathering expressed happiness that the overall law and order situation remained mostly stable and all major festivals and the bye elections to Chokpot and Nongstoin and the elections to the Garo Hills District Councils passed off peacefully despite the challenges and security constraints.
Echoing the same views of the Governor, the Chief Minister added that a multi-pronged approach is being followed to address the root causes of militancy and restore peace and stability in the region.
He also said that the government has kept its doors open for talks with the militant outfits provided they shun the path of violence.
The Chief Minister was happy that the Garo outfit UALA came forward to sign the peace pact on December 18, last, and hoped that it would set an example for other outfits also to come over ground and join the mainstream.
He said that a joint and concerted effort of the States and the Central Government is essential to overcome the menace of insurgency and terrorism that have widespread networks extending across the states and beyond the national borders.
