The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) has called on the general public to participate in a black flag protest to condemn yesterday’s statement by cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on the demand for Tura to be the second capital of Meghalaya.
Lyngdoh had said that the idea of a winter capital should not be entertained as the government has already brought the administration closer to the people through the creation of several Community and Rural Development blocks.
“These statements made by Ampareen Lyngdoh are irresponsible, impertinent, unconcerned, unequal … and an insult to the founding fathers’ vision who fought for Meghalaya as a state,” the GSMC said in a release today, adding that she has attempted to “create mistrust and misunderstanding”.
Lyngdoh is meant to be visiting Garo Hills from Thursday, the GSMC said, and it called on members of the public to protest her visit with black flags, black badges and black clothing.
Meanwhile, the Jaiñtia National Council and Jaiñtia Students Union reiterated their opposition to introduction of railway in East Jaintia Hills and said they are not willing to visit Mendipathar in North Garo Hills to see its success there.
Reacting to Lyngdoh’s suggestion for a case study by the pressure groups that are opposing the railways in Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills the organisations in the district said, they are not opposed to development but wants the Inner Line Permit (ILP) implement to check influx.
