Tura: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said the National People’s Party (NPP) will address concerns surrounding the Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate issue while urging people in Garo Hills to maintain unity and peace following recent unrest in the region.
Speaking at a gathering of party leaders and supporters in Tura, the chief minister reaffirmed the ruling party’s commitment to serving the people and upholding the principles of its founder, P A Sangma.
Sangma said the party would work towards resolving the ST certificate issue and continue to focus on the welfare of the people.
He also called on party workers and supporters to remain united and strengthen the organisation.
The appeal came in the wake of violence in the Garo Hills region earlier this week.
Two people were killed in police firing at Chibinang in West Garo Hills district on Tuesday after clashes broke out during protests linked to the filing of nominations for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
Sections of the Garo community had protested against non-Garo candidates filing nominations for the council polls.
The unrest triggered several incidents of arson, attacks on civilians and large gatherings in Tura and other areas across the five districts of the Garo Hills region.
The situation escalated after a notification made Scheduled Tribe certificates mandatory for filing nominations for the GHADC elections.
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The Meghalaya High Court later struck down the notification on Tuesday, noting that the move departed from a practice that had allowed non-tribals to contest the elections for more than seven decades.
Calling for calm, Sangma urged communities to promote unity and brotherhood, emphasising the importance of reconciliation during difficult times.
He also thanked the police, district administration and other officials for their efforts in restoring law and order during the disturbances.
The chief minister further appreciated the residents of Tura for coming together to clean debris and help bring the town back to normalcy after the violence.
Sangma also acknowledged the role of religious leaders and community organisations in appealing for peace and helping maintain stability in the region.
Security has since been tightened in Tura, with the administration continuing to monitor the situation closely to ensure that peace and normalcy are maintained.
