Govt is taking steps: Meghalaya CM on law and order situation in the state

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today made a significant statement surrounding the recent incidents of sporadic incidents where miscreants have been targetting government offices including police stations and other government properties.

Chief Minister Sangma without divulging much said that the recent incidents were a fallout of previous actions (taken by the government).

Affirming that the rule of law will always prevail, Conrad Sangma mentioned that steps were taken to arrest certain individuals on the basis of evidences and hence the government had anticipated that there might be a situation which is similar if looked at the present perspective.

CM Sangma briefing newspersons said, “There were certain incidents that took place and the government was firm in ensuring that whatever steps had to be taken, were taken to arrest individuals who were involved in such incidents, based on pure evidence and facts. Because of that we did expect that there would be some reaction.

We should be very very clear that this is a reaction to certain reactions or actions that took place. Therefore, we were not surprised as such, but yes it has been happening very often. We are very much aware and we are working towards ensuring that none of these incidents should happen. The police have taken further steps, I do not want to go into the details. But we are on the job. I want to assure the people that the government is taking steps to contain the situation.”

Asked if the present law and order situation is linked to the arrest of Khasi Students Union (KSU) members, CM Sangma said, “For us to jump to conclusions and say something without basing it on facts and evidence would be incorrect. Government cannot go on speculation or the police cannot act on speculation or any logical kind of connection and say that this is all what is happening. As and when the facts and evidences are there, government has taken actions in the past, and will take action in the future also.”

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma asserted that no one will be allowed to take law into their own hands. In a strong message CM Sangma said, “We are firm on the general fact that nobody can take law into their own hands. The police and the government will go as per the law. And if anybody commits a crime than the law has procedures to go forward to take action against those people who commit crimes. Hence it is not about any organisation or anybody from a group. It is purely based on crime and purely based on law and purely based on evidence. That’s how we have been moving forward and that’s how we will move forward in the future also.”

Here is the timeline of incidents where various government institutions were targeted by miscreants with petrol bombs-
April 3rd: Petrol bomb hurled at Mawlai Police Station. A police vehicle was damaged
April 24th: Petrol bomb hurled at the escort vehicle of NEEPCO director (Personnel) Major General (retd) Rajesh Kumar Jha.
April 26th: Petrol bomb hurled at the residence of Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar, in Nongmynsong, Shillong.
2 incidents on April 30:
• Petrol bomb hurled at Jowai Police Reserve. 1 vehicles damaged.
• Petrol bomb hurled at Meghalaya Government Construction Corporation office in Shillong
3 incidents of petrol bomb attack on May 1:
Petrol bombs hurled at 2 Police stations – Shillong Sadar and Rynjah Police station and near CRPF Camp at Mawlai
May 2: Government vehicle set ablaze in Cleve colony, Shillong