The demand for a winter capital in Meghalaya is stirring emotions but the state government will not find it easy to implement given the costs involved, National People’s Party youth leader Bajop Pyngrope has told Highland Post.
A demand for Tura to be named the state’s winter capital has apparently been gaining strength of late but the movement was recently rocked when violence was directed at police on duty in Tura when the Chief Minister was holding a meeting with representatives of the two groups that have championed the demand.
On this violence, Pyngrope said that the law will take its own course.
“We have seen that arrests have been made based on evidence, including videos, and the law will take its own course and decide who are guilty or not because with evidence everything will come out in black and white,” he said.
When asked if the winter capital desire is justified, Pyngrope said that such demands can be raised in a democracy and will understandably raise emotions. However, he was of the opinion that Meghalaya should not be divided as it is already a small state.
The creation of a second capital will also not be easy for the government because it would require a great deal of funding and other matters to also be considered.
Since the demand for Tura to be the winter capital, other groups have also chimed in to seasonal capitals in West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills and there will thus have to be wide consultations before a decision can be taken on Tura’s bid, Pyngrope added.
