Meghalaya lawmakers ask government to take action against militants

Shillong, Apr 17 (UNI) The Meghalaya government was today urged to take immediate action against the surrendered Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (SHNLC) militants, allegedly used by businessmen in the state to suit their interests, even as Chief Minister Donkupar Roy assured the House of severe punishment against those indulging in such nefarious activities.

''Militancy is an excuse for some youths to indulge in illegal activity as it opens up vista of an easy luxurious life, '' United Democratic Party (UDP) Legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit said, moving a motion on the burning issue - the unemployment problem in the state.

Supporting the ruling member, also Chairman of the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation, Legislators cutting across party lines said some of these surrendered militants were now being allegedly used by businessmen to help them illegally.

The Legislators urged the government to use its resource not just to fight militancy, but also the activities illegal of the surrendered militants, threatening the civil society.

''The government must not give special patronage to such surrendered militants. It will only encourage other youths to join militancy,'' Mr Basaiawmoit said.

Urging the government to also focus on rural migration, the UDP Legislator said it was a ''matter of concern and not a good sign for the state's economy.'' ''Villagers fall easy prey and indulge in illegal activities in their effort to find employment in towns and are now committing theft and other crimes,'' they iterated.

The Chief Minister, who admitted that the unemployment problem caused a lot of frustration among the youths in the state, said the government vouched for creating more industrial units in the state to reduce the unemployment rate.

Till 2007, Dr Roy said the number of educated unemployed youths, who had registered their names, were 31,299, while the total number of vacancies notified by the state government till 2007 was 782 and the placement was only for 43 people.

The Chief Minister warned those people against using the surrendered ultras to further their business interests.

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