Shillong, Aug 22: The Congress came down hard on the NPP-BJP government on Saturday, saying Shillong is bleeding for an administration that failed to anticipate, failed to prevent, and failed to act.
Condemning the hardship unleashed on common people after the August 19 violence, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee President Vincent H Pala said law and order is squarely the state government’s job — and it has collapsed.
“People are paying the price for an administration that has abandoned governance,” Pala said, adding that despite intelligence and full machinery at its disposal, the government responded without seriousness, sensitivity or preparedness.
The fallout is brutal. Tourists stranded, highways choked, hotels, homestays, taxis, restaurants and shops counting losses, medicines and essential supplies delayed, and ordinary travellers punished for no fault of their own.
Meghalaya cannot afford to be branded insecure and unstable, the MPCC warned, saying it takes just a few incidents and one incompetent response to destroy years of hard-earned goodwill.
The party also flagged the handling of Meghalaya-Assam movement and border issues, calling for continuous dialogue and timely intervention instead of allowing tensions to snowball due to political calculations.
“This government covers governance failure with opacity and promises without delivery. When governance turns reactive, citizens pay,” the MPCC said.
The Congress said it condemns violence in all forms — attacks on innocents, property destruction, disruption of essential services — but the government’s role is not to condemn after the fact, it is to prevent.
Demanding immediate restoration of normalcy, security for tourists and travellers, free movement of essentials, and sincere dialogue, the MPCC said Meghalaya deserves governance, not excuses, action, not lip service.
