Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday said the priority of his government was to ensure that people’s lives are safe.
He was reacting to criticism from Opposition leader Mukul Sangma over mobile Internet shutdown in the state.
“People will comment and say what they have to say. But my view and most important point has always been that in any eventuality we want to ensure that the people’s lives are safe and that is the priority for us,” Conrad said.
Asked when the ban on the Internet will be lifted, he said the government is monitoring the situation before taking any decision. “I know inconvenience is being caused. It is something that we do not want to do but based on the overall situation I request people to bear with us so that we can ensure overall law and order remains,” he said.
The state government on Monday extended the ban on mobile Internet for another 48 hours in the state.
The chief minister also lauded the police for ensuring that no agitator received serious injuries and no lives were lost during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
He reiterated that safety of the citizens is a priority for the state government and it will take necessary steps in order to achieve that.
Asked if he had any knowledge of the Opposition Congress trying to form a government with partner Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) but without the the National People’s Party, the chief minister said, “I don’t know about these kinds of offers taking place.”
However, Conrad said he can assure that all constituents of the MDA are very much together and have resolved to work together.
There are rumours that Congress leaders have met Regional Democratic Alliance, the pre-poll alliance of the United Democratic Party and Hill State People’s Democratic Party, and the United Progressive Front which consists of People’s Democratic Front, NCP, KHNAM and an Independent legislator.
These two are alliances within the MDA. Apart from these the others partners of the MDA are NPP which has 21 MLAs and the BJP two.
The Opposition Congress has 19 members.
