Shillong, Aug 6: Thousands of supporters of the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) took to the streets of Shillong today, accusing the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government of failing to address public concerns and pursuing policies that are against the interests of indigenous communities.
The rally, which saw the participation of around 3,000 people, began from IGP and passed around the Secretariat with a halt at the Additional Secretariat parking lot. Later, protestors proceeded to the office of the Deputy Commissioner where the march concluded peacefully. There was a heavy police presence throughout.
Speaking to reporters during the protest, VPP president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said the party was compelled to take its protest to the streets because it was repeatedly denied adequate opportunities to raise public issues in the Assembly.
“We are a responsible political party. We don’t believe in issuing ultimatums to the government. It is the government’s duty to listen to the people’s concerns and engage with us. The question is why we have been forced to come out on the streets. It is because we have repeatedly been ignored when we raised these issues,” Basaiawmoit said.
He added that although the party had several issues to raise in the Assembly, limited time and the manner in which proceedings were conducted prevented meaningful discussion.
“I have listed many issues to be taken up, but time in the Assembly is limited. The way the House is being conducted is not encouraging. We have been denied the opportunity to place important issues before the House,” he said.
The MDA holds a whopping majority in the 60-seat Assembly, with the VPP holding just four seats and the Trinamool Congress five.
Basaiawmoit also criticised the recent public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project, alleging that the government had failed to ensure a fair process.
“If the government believes it has acted fairly, it should have allowed everyone to participate in the public hearing and listened to both those who supported and those who opposed the project. It is the government’s responsibility to weigh the merits and demerits and address the concerns of the public,” he said.
Basaiawmoit alleged that people who opposed the project were prevented from participating and questioned the government’s handling of the hearing.
“We will not accept the report of that public hearing. The hearing should be declared null and void,” Basaiawmoit said.
