The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the 17 victims of the recent devastating floods in Garo Hills.
According to the VPP, the tragic loss of life highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the state.
While acknowledging the tireless efforts of local authorities and disaster management personnel in providing relief, the VPP has raised concerns about delayed recovery efforts in certain areas, particularly where damaged infrastructure and poor connectivity have left villages isolated.
The opposition party has urged the state government to reflect on the gaps in disaster response mechanisms that have left citizens vulnerable.
The VPP has also demanded that no affected family is left without support, especially in remote areas. It also urged the state government to improve road connectivity, bridge construction and flood defence systems to prevent future tragedies. The party also asked the government to ensure rapid and effective response during emergencies, focusing on early warning systems and evacuation measures.
The VPP has little to no presence in Garo Hills and has been dubbed by opponents as a ‘Khasi party’ as it has so far only contested elections in Khasi-Jaintia Hills and because some of its high-ranking members have issued calls for revisions of the reservation policy that would negatively affect the Garo community.
