SHILLONG : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday urged the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to raise its 10-point charter of demands during the upcoming Assembly session instead of holding a protest march to the Main Secretariat.
Responding to the VPP’s planned peaceful march on August 6, Sangma said the government has already been informed about the programme and that the district administration is prepared to coordinate with the organisers.
“You can have that discussion with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP). We have already briefed them,” the Chief Minister told reporters.
Sangma reiterated that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly remains the most appropriate platform for debating issues concerning the public.
“We have always been open to discussion. The democratic process is that such issues are discussed in the Assembly, and the session is coming up very soon,” he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that while the Assembly is the proper forum for raising public concerns, the government has never refused to engage with any individual or organisation.
“That is the correct platform. But apart from that, as a government we have never closed our doors to anyone. We are always ready to discuss any matter of public importance,” he added.
The VPP has announced a peaceful march to the Secretariat to press the government on its 10-point charter of demands, while the Assembly session is scheduled to begin later this month.