Shillong, Mar 21: Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma on Saturday met Governor CH Vijayashankar, to apprise him of the prevailing situation in Garo Hills and the development that unfolded in the run up to the election for the GHDAC (since postponed).
Speaking to reporters, after meeting the Governor, Dr. Sangma said that during the violence he had spoken to the Chief Minister and asked him to work together for restoration of normalcy.
“…and also to keep our heads together to resolve the core issue which led to the charged environment,” the leader of the opposition said.
In a memorandum to the Governor, Dr. Sangma also recommended an inquiry commission, to examine the circumstances leading to the issuance of the notification to allow only persons with ST certificates (since struck down by the High Court) to file nomination for the GHADC elections.
The leader of opposition also said that the inquiry commission should also probe the causes of the clashes which resulted in loss of lives and also identify the real perpetrators involved in the violence.
He also wants that the commission should fix responsibility for any lapses or negligence, including failure of timely intervention, on the part of officials and authorities.
He said that the election to the GHADC was postponed and the term of the House was extended for another six months.
Dr. Sangma said that the election will ultimately have to be held even as he asked under what conditions the polls will be held.
He said that the House was extended but the core issue is before the election goes ahead, the demand of the Garos to bar non-tribals from contesting the GHADC elections and therefore it is necessary for everybody to come together and engage in discussions.
“Take everybody on board and see that this particular issue which needs to be resolved is completed,” the leader of the opposition said.
Dr. Sangma said that now the responsibility is vested with the members of the GHADC who should take a call through a process of legislation in the House.
He also appealed to the Members of the District Council of the GHADC to see that the political differences do not become a hurdle while trying to resolve this issue.
“The decision should be unanimous keeping in mind the larger good of the people and the state,” he said.
Dr. Sangma also expressed concern with the way arrests are being made after the violence, which according to him is random and in an indiscriminate manner.
“There is a perception that law enforcing authorities are carrying out arrests without proper verification of facts or involvement,” he said.
The leader of opposition said that such actions can lead to miscarriage of justice and could aggravate the situation adding that there is a risk of implicating innocent persons, while the real culprits remain unidentified.
