Shillong, September 2: Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma on Wednesday rejected speculation that Trinamool Congress legislators in Meghalaya are preparing to merge with the BJP, while also warning the state government against complacency over possible attempts to revive militancy and criticising its handling of the ongoing agitation by lawyers seeking the removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar.
Responding to reports of a possible TMC-BJP merger, Sangma said TMC legislators remain committed to their role in the Opposition. “As far as members of the TMC are concerned, I must say with conviction that we remain glued to our responsibility as members of the Opposition and we will continue to work accordingly,” he said.
Sangma said political parties are entitled to expand their base, but warned that attempts to manipulate electoral mandates through political defections or “poaching” could have serious consequences for democracy.
He said the BJP had made efforts to approach TMC leaders earlier, but was aware of his and his party’s political position. “I think that effort was there before, but they also know my stand and our stand,” Sangma said, stressing the need for political parties to respect each other’s positions and strategies.
Asked whether the developments could threaten the NPP-led coalition government, Sangma said he did not see an immediate threat to the present dispensation. However, he said the speculation appeared to reflect a “lack of cohesiveness” within the ruling coalition.
Turning to the recent firing incident near Songsak in East Garo Hills, in which four alleged inter-state criminals were killed, Sangma warned that the episode should not be viewed in isolation. “What you see is only the tip of the iceberg and the government has to look at the larger fallout,” he said.
Sangma claimed that intelligence inputs available with agencies responsible for internal security pointed to broader concerns and said he had repeatedly raised in the Assembly the possibility of forces attempting to regroup and form militant outfits.
While appreciating police action against smaller groups in Garo Hills, he expressed concern over reports of unidentified persons moving with sophisticated weapons. “There is no room for complacency. We cannot take things for granted,” Sangma said, adding that factors which could push young people towards militant activities must also be addressed.
He said developments across Khasi-Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills should be assessed collectively, noting that militant groups have historically operated across geographical boundaries.
Referring to past insurgency-related developments, Sangma said forested areas adjoining South West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills had previously been used as training grounds by militant organisations.
On the agitation by lawyers demanding the removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar, Sangma accused the government of failing to adequately explain its stand while the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly was in session.
He said the government should have made a statement in the House on the grievances raised by the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association.
Sangma said he had to raise the matter under Rule 55 because the House had not been given a clear picture of the government’s position. “This is not something which can be shrugged off. We have never seen in the history of Meghalaya this kind of unprecedented development involving Bar Associations across the state,” he said.
He warned that the prolonged impasse could affect the administration of justice and governance and urged the government to resolve the matter at the earliest.
Sangma also stressed the importance of strengthening the judicial system and creating opportunities for young people entering the legal profession, saying an effective justice-delivery mechanism was essential to prevent frustration and unrest arising from unresolved grievances.
