SHILLONG: Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma has warned that government inaction in the face of unauthorized border blockades between Meghalaya and Assam poses a severe threat to the North East region’s economic stability.
Dr. Sangma criticized law enforcement lapses that have allowed non-state actors to obstruct vehicles at points like Jorabat and Khanapara, calling such passivity a dereliction of duty.
He cautioned that permitting private individuals to take the law into their own hands sets a dangerous precedent, encouraging further disruptions.
He emphasized that any breakdown in public order damages the region’s collective image, noting that investors, national media, and foreign embassies view the North East as a single, interconnected entity.
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Recalling his diplomatic experience, Dr. Sangma explained that localized unrest quickly leads to international travel advisories, crippling tourism and investment prospects.
Citing the economic fallout from recent turmoil in Manipur, he illustrated how instability prompts investors and travelers to withdraw, highlighting the North East’s shared vulnerability.
Dr. Sangma urged regional leaders to avoid divisive “naming and shaming” tactics and instead present a unified front, leveraging the collective strength of the region.
While reaffirming the public’s right to dissent, he stressed that maintaining law and order is the non-negotiable responsibility of state governments.
He called for immediate, proactive enforcement of legal frameworks to deter disruptions, halt the spread of communal rumors, and restore public and investor confidence.
(4FrontMedia news)
