NPP demands Meghalaya CM's resignation

The National People's Party (NPP) Wednesday demanded the resignation of Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma over the recent killings and kidnapping by tribal Garo rebels.

Five Meghalaya policemen and two Border Security Force (BSF) troopers were killed and four traders abducted by the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the breakaway faction of the A'chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC-B) within one week.

The whereabouts of the traders are unknown even as the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Meghalaya's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos have been pressed into service to trace the hostages.

"There is total breakdown of law and order situation in Garo Hills but the chief minister is blissfully unaware of the entire situation as he is busy globe-trotting," NPP spokesman James Sangma said.

"He (chief minister) has failed the people of the state and he should, therefore, take moral responsibility for what happened. We demand his immediate resignation," he said.

IANS was unable to reach the chief minister for comment. But Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh rubbished the NPP demand: "How can they claim there is a breakdown of law and order when the administration is functioning?

"The government's presence is very much there in Garo Hills and the law enforcing agencies are very much active and hunting down the rebels. Their demand asking for chief minister's exit doesn't hold water," he said.