SHILLONG: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma, today, sharply criticized the government over the recent violent clash at the inter-state border, which tragically claimed a life and injured several, including police personnel. He attributed the incident to a “failure of intelligence collection” and the breakdown of a previously effective conflict-prevention system.
Speaking with urgency and concern, Dr. Sangma emphasized that the violence was “preventable.”
Intelligence Failure and Breakdown of Mechanism
Dr. Sangma highlighted that while border tensions between the states are long-standing, a “robust mechanism” was effectively maintained prior to 2018. This system involved continuous coordination between district administrations on both sides, escalating matters to the Chief Secretary level when necessary.
“We managed to ensure that there was a robust system put in place… a robust mechanism of input collection if there is any amount of tension… and therefore know where to intervene and prevent such unfortunate incidents,” he said.
He questioned why this system is no longer operational, suggesting that the recent conflict “was allowed to grow beyond a certain level” due to lapses in intelligence gathering and action.
“It is a failure of intelligence collection by both states to understand that this may have this kind of unpleasant fallout… it is a failure,” Dr. Sangma stated.
Call for Clarity on Negotiation Outcomes
Dr. Sangma also expressed concern over the “lack of clarity about the ultimate outcome of these negotiations,” warning that uncertainty may be fueling a “sense of insecurity” among residents on both sides of the border. He stressed that authorities must clearly communicate the intent and likely results of bilateral discussions.
He urged regional committees to engage actively with local communities to rebuild trust and address growing mistrust.
Condolences and Plea for Multi-Layered Action
Expressing sorrow over the incident, Dr. Sangma extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the “speedy recovery” of all injured, including police personnel. He called for reflection on why the “conducive environment which enabled our forefathers to mutually coexist” has disappeared.
“It is a matter which should be immediately attended to by authorities at multiple levels, not just one… it must be a multi-layered endeavour,” he concluded, emphasizing the need for comprehensive action and a thorough understanding of the issue’s complexity.
