‘Protecting indigenous people a must but must not come in the way of devp’

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma (R) at a press conference in Dimapur on February 2.

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 2

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma commenting on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act said that while protecting the indigenous peoples of the North-east is a must, it should also not come in way of economic development. “We are also concerned to ensure that there is a balance between protecting our people and maintaining the economic activity of the region,” Sangma told a press conference in Dimapur on February 2.

According to him, he completed a two-day tour of Manipur and Nagaland by road before making a brief stopover in Dimapur on Sunday while on his return to Shillong. He described the purpose of the visit to Nagaland as mainly “focused on party organization matters” keeping in mind the current political situation here.

Besides, he also met Nagaland Chief Minister and Governor. He however did not disclose much, only stating that he discussed with his Nagaland counterpart issues relating to Budgetary provisions from the centre and “issues which we are jointly planning to take up with the GoI.”

As far as the CAA was concerned, he said that whatever maybe the reasons of the GoI, his party’s stand have been for provisions to protect the indigenous peoples of the region.
He further claimed that it was because of this stand of the party and other leaders of the region, protective provisions were added to the CAA which was not there before and also changing the ILP Preamble.  

While stating that the state governments have a very important role to play, he said that mechanisms should be implemented and technology be used to ensure that the activities like tourism, trade and investment are not discouraged.

On the Indo-Naga talks, he urged all the parties involved to finalize a deal at the earliest in the best interest of the region. “Once the talks are done and all the understanding is there, it is not just going to be for Nagaland per se. It is going to impact the entire socio-economic situation in the north-east,” he said.

Queried on the NPP’s brief association with the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance in Nagaland, Sangma maintained that its two MLAs “merged into the NDPP.” “From that point onwards we have not been part of the PDA and that is the current status. There is a court case. It is still going on. We are yet to get the verdict for it,” he said.