SHILLONG: Former home minister RG Lyngdoh said on Tuesday politics and militancy make a lethal combination.
Lyngdoh attended the candlelight vigil at Police Bazaar on Tuesday organised by concerned citizens of to protest against the assassination of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma on Sunday evening.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said, “You cannot control militancy if it is mixed together with either politics or religion. It becomes difficult to control.”
“I appeal to all politicians to stay away from militants and go to the polls in a peaceful manner. Give the people the chance to show their mandate without forcing them either with muscle power or money power,” he added.
Lyngdoh asserted that militancy and violence should be condemned. The holding of the candlelight vigil was to send a “strong message” all over the state that violence is to be condemned and abhorred.
When asked about his comments on the act of the state government in handling the law and order machinery, he refrained from “painting a political picture on the issue”, and said that he does not want to politicise the matter.
“This government or that government… No blame game. We all know who is to blame. Let those people look into their conscience and understand whether what they are doing is correct,” he said.
Meanwhile, a youth, Saljreng Momin who organised the candlelight vigil, said, “Blaming the government is of no use and it is up to the people to bring about a change in the society. A strong inquiry should be made into the incident.”
He urged the people to take a stand and fight against militancy.
