SHILLONG, June 10 � Opposition NCP in Meghalaya today created a ruckus in the Assembly over the alleged unabated encroachment by Assam and staged a walk-out accusing Chief Minister Mukul Sangma of failing to act competently.
�The territorial integrity of the State is at stake. The Assam officials should have been told to leave the encroached areas immediately. Why are we compromising with our territory?� Opposition leader Conrad Sangma said, after the Chief Minister laid a suo motto statement on the issue.
Not relenting, the Opposition described the Chief Minister as �weak and irresponsible� and sought a clarification on the steps taken by the government to prevent the unabated �encroachment� by Assam.
Sangma, in his statement, said the State government would not remain a mute spectator to the moves by Assam. �The government is monitoring the situation closely. Police has intensified patrolling along the inter-State border areas,� the Chief Minister said, adding that the government will pursue the decision taken during the meeting between the Chief Ministers of both the States to their logical conclusion.
When the Opposition refused to budge, Speaker Charles Pyngrope ruled that no debate or discussion can be allowed on a suo motto statement and asked them to take their seats. A unsatisfied Opposition staged a walk-out after the Speaker�s ruling.
Sangma had yesterday moved his Assam counterpart Tarun Gogoi after fresh encroachment by Assam along the disputed inter-State boundary areas, asking him to ensure that a �cordial atmosphere� is maintained in those areas.
On reports that Assam officials were constructing a road and engaging machines for earth-cutting in a disputed area in Jaintia Hills district, Sangma said, �The Chief Secretary has taken up the issue with his counterpart.� � PTI
