Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 375/11

POWER TILLER DISTRIBUTED TO ETHNIC CLASH VICTIMS

Dated Shillong the 26th, July 2011: In an effort to provide relief and assistance to the victims of the ethnic clash that took place in January 2011 in East Garo Hills District between the Garos and the Rabhas which has forced many residents to leave their homes and their belongings which has also affected their livelihood, the Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today distributed 41 Power tillers to the ethnic clash victims which is funded under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana RKVY at Mendipathar college, East Garo Hills District in the presence of the MLA from Resubelpara, Mr T D Shira, MPCC working president, Mrs D C Marak and also members of the Subdivisional Peace Coordination Committee, Resubelpara among others. The meeting was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills District, Mr Praveen Bakshi.

“We are here now with a sense of love and forgiveness. Today’s programme is our humble effort, to enable the friends who are affected by the ethnic clash that was unfortunate, to have a sense of peace and harmony which is the inherent part of our culture and traditions. It is the reflection of our commitment towards peaceful coexistence”, said the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma while addressing the function held for distribution of power tillers to the ethnic clash victims in Mendipathar, East Garo Hills District today. He added that only love and forgiveness can overcome all kinds of hurdles and oppositions. He appreciated the people of the area who had work so hard in restoring peace and harmony in the area through mutual understanding. The Garos and the Rabhas have had peaceful coexistence since time immemorial which should be uphold with love, he added. Dr Mukul also congratulated each and everyone who have been instrumental in restoring peace and harmony in the area including the district administration. He also expressed his gratefulness to the people who have been very responsive to his appeal to contribute generously toward the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the purpose of providing relief and facilitate peace restoration in the area.

Dr Mukul also said that there are many challenges the State is facing like poverty and backwardness which are both complex issues needs to be addressed effectively so as to ensure all round development in the State. The Government is capable to address issues if all work together in cooperation, he said. The demand for creation of New Districts by different sections, including the demand for creation of North Garo Hills District in the State are being examined and the cooperation and joint efforts of the people is required in ensuring a cordial conditions for creation of the districts.

There are many forces which try to dislocate and derail the plans and programmes of the Government but the people should not encourage such kind of activities. We are focused in addressing the issue of making our youth employable. We must try to adopt a mechanism to bring out professionals, he added

Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood programme which is the flagship programme of the State Government will ensure that rural areas have many employment opportunities in different sectors. He informed that it will be implemented in a mission mode.

The other highlights of the day was an impressive street play presented by members of the Resubelpara Peace Club which depicted the efforts made by the people to ensure peaceful coexistence among all communities.