Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today issued a strong rebuke to organisations outside Meghalaya that are trying to create communal divisions between tribals and non-tribals in the state.
Tynsong was reacting to charges of discrimination against non-tribals, especially in Ichamati, East Khasi Hills, from groups based out of Kolkata.
Yesterday, a conglomeration of 10 such organisations, including the All Bengali Youth & Students’ Organisation (ABYSO), submitted a memo on the subject to the state government through Meghalaya House in Kolkata.
“Don’t add fire because if you talk about the issue of Ichamati, our government is here to handle the situation and to take care that the citizens of the state of Meghalaya be it non-tribal or tribal. The responsibility of the government is to make sure that both (communities) are safe. We work together and grow together,” Tynsong said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also invited the groups from Kolkata to come to the state to clearly understand the ground realities.
“The solution of the issues in the state does not lie in Kolkata but in Shillong. Come over and discuss but don’t make an issue from outside the borders,” he said.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has already taken up the issue of Bengali residents of the state with the West Bengal government, Tynsong revealed.
He also suspected that much of the angst directed at Meghalaya and its relations with non-tribals residents is down to political instigation. The government will prosecute anyone adding fuel to the fire, he warned.
