Shillong, June 13: Concerned over the prevailing law and order situation in the state, opposition NPP member, Erwin K Sutnga has urged the state government to invite the group that opposed railway project for talks.
“The state government has to initiate talks immediately forsaking ego and pride in the larger interest of peace and safety of the people of this state,” Sutnga said in an open letter to the Meghalaya Home Minister, H.D.R. Lyngdoh here today.
He suggested that the contentious issue should be discussed and all apprehensions should be addressed in the proper manner to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
His statement came following the statement made by the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), which according to him, the offer made by the outfit to support the protesting group with IED bombs, should not to be taken lightly. The HNLC in its statement on Monday had asked the state government to initiate talks with the pressure groups and immediately release KSU members, who were arrested following the protest at the construction site of the railway project in Ri Bhoi district last month.
According to Sutnga, there is a serious concern that both tribal and non-tribal communities may get caught in the ongoing fight between the KSU and the state government.
“Therefore, the matter is left to your wisdom, but only remember that any further worsening of the situation will only be blamed on the MUA led government in the state,” Sutnga said in the letter.