Shillong, Mar 18: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) has reacted negatively to the state government’s move to arrest members of pressure groups over last week’s communal violence in Garo Hills.
According to Sambormi Lyngdoh, CoMSO vice-president, at a time when calm and stability must be the priority, the recent actions of the state government, particularly the arrest of pressure group leaders, have only contributed to further uncertainty and unrest on the ground.
Police have arrested at least two – Johnny A Marak of ACHIK and Balkarin Marak of the Garo State Movement Committee (GSMC).
Lyngdoh said that CoMSO firmly believes that civil society organisations play a crucial role in representing the voice and concerns of the people.
He said that the arrest of NGO leaders, instead of fostering peace, risks escalating tensions and creating an atmosphere of mistrust between the government and the public.
“Such measures send a wrong signal and may undermine ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region,” he said. “Peace cannot be imposed through force; it must be built through understanding, respect and cooperation.”
