Following the startling revelation by the East Khasi Hills district administration that Shillong was an “unsafe city” based on a few stray incidents, the Voice of the People Party (VPP) today told Chief Minister Conrad Sangma that such revelation by the district administration was shocking.
During the meeting with Sangma here today, the VPP delegation led by party president Ardent M. Basaiawmoit said the promulgation of Section 144 CrPC restricting the livelihood and liberties of the citizens is unacceptable to the people and the party.
“This uncalled for intervention in fact, revealed the weakness of the State government to maintain the law and order even at the slightest disturbance,” the party said in a statement issued by its spokesman Dr. Batskhem Myrboh who was also part of the delegation.
The party also reiterated its stand that the promulgation of an odd-even formula for public transport is discriminatory and an anti-poor measure. While demanding immediate withdrawal of the order, the VPP said that “solution to the problem of traffic jam is not by taking such an immature and imbalanced consideration”.
The VPP delegation also urged the chief minister to stop the load shedding in the entire State.
“While the State has been witnessing the good rainfall since the month of June and the water level in the Umiam Reservoir has increased near its full capacity, yet the citizens continue to face the brunt of load shedding both at night and during day time. Load shedding stands contravention to the rights of the citizens,” the party said.
Raising the issue of price rise, the party urged the chief minister to look into the issue of inflation of essential commodities and electricity which has affected the life and business of the citizens in the State.
Further, the VPP delegation impressed upon the chief minister to look into the problem of systemic exploitation of farmers in the State by the middlemen.
“It is common knowledge that the farmers experienced inhumane and unexplainable cuts of their produce at the time of marketing which hugely impacted their rights. Injustice of any kind meted out to any section of the society particularly the vulnerable section of the society is unacceptable,” the party said.
According to the party, the chief minister has assured that the matters brought before him by the party would be looked into and decisions in the interest of the people would be taken.
