Chief Minister and NPP president Conrad Sangma today slammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) stating they are taking away the rights of the people by turning the border agreement into a political issue.
“It’s sad because they (TMC & UDP) did not do anything in the past when they were in government to resolve this issue. Finally, when the issue has been resolved to a certain extent, they want to make this a political issue. They are taking away the rights of the people who have the right to live in peace in those areas,” he said.
The TMC had vowed to scrap the Assam-Meghalaya border deal while the UDP in its manifesto promises to review the agreement.
Sangma said that the TMC wants to put the people in the border areas in a difficult position again. “I went to some of the areas of differences today and I heard the people’s sentiments there were angry of the TMC for making such statements because finally they are seeing a government that is actually taking interest in resolving the issue,” he stated.
On the UDP, which the second largest constituent of the NPP-led MDA government, Sangma said, “They were also part of the different committees that were made and very much involved in what was happening,” adding, “There are certain leaders and certain political parties, who want to play politics with an issue like this.”
The chief minister also defended rampant illegal coal mining and transportation activities stating that it is not possible for people to their livelihood that has been going on for 200 years.
He said actions have been taken against people involved in illegal coal mining activities as per law.
