To discuss the prevailing law and order situation at Motphran and the adjoining areas of Mawkhar which fall under North Shillong Constituency, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Home Minister James K Sangma along with some his cabinet colleagues, headmen, senior citizens and youth had a meeting at the Meghalaya Secretariat here on Saturday.
Apart from the CM and the Home Minister, those who were present included Health Minister AL Hek, Tourism Minister MetbahLyngdoh, Sports Minister BanteidorLyngdoh besides Adelbert Nongrum the Rangbah Shnongs (Headmen) of Mawkhar, Jaiaw, Wahingdoh, Umsohsun, Riatsamthiah, Jaiaw Pdeng, Mission Compound, who were accompanied by senior citizens of the above localities including the Seng Longkmie and the youth.
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“The meeting was a fruitful one since both the Government and the delegation shared common concern about the ongoing law and order situation in the city. The headmen spoke at length regarding the hardships faced by the local and genuine residents of the area and requested the Government to immediately withdraw the police force from entering the localities and firing tear gas inside people’s compound or houses,” stated the CMO.
The Home Minister informed them that the police force had till now exercised maximum restraint and would continue to do so. The Home Minister also informed the delegation that as per the demands made by the agitators, one person directly involved in the assault had already been arrested on Friday afternoon and that he was currently under police custody for further investigations, the CMO added.
A lot of other issues were brought up during the course of the meeting where few other headmen raised the issue of curfew timings and that proper announcement should be made so that the public are given proper awareness.
The delegation also sought for removal and rehabilitation of the inhabitants of the Sweeper Lane. The CM informed the delegation that he had already sought for reports from all the concerned departments namely the Urban Affairs and Revenue Department about the present status of the case regarding rehabilitation. After going through the reports, the Government would take necessary steps.
“The headmen of the above localities assured the Government that they will extend full cooperation to bring back normalcy in the area. In fact, the delegation assured the Government that right after the meeting they would go and talk to these agitators about the successful outcome of the present meeting and that there was no need to agitate since most of the demands made by various organisationsand agitators had already been met,” the CMO stated.
The CM thanked the delegation led by the Local MLA Adelbert Nongrum, who was taking the initiative for bringing back peace and normalcy in the city and the State as a whole. The CM also thanked all the members who attended the meeting and assured them that the Government was committed to work for the people and requested them to lend their support in doing so for the larger interest of the people of the State.