Meghalaya CM visits Langpih, promises a police outpost

As the 12-hour KSU sponsored bandh (earlier the call was for a 24-hour bandh, the duration was later cut by half) got underway on Tuesday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma flew to Langpih to assess the ground reality on ground zero and assured Langpih villagers of the government’s commitment to protect the residents of this border village from any “further threat” from the Assam Police.

Accompanied by Meghalaya Home Minister H D R Lyngdoh, Health Minister Rowell Lyngdoh, former CM D D Lapang, United Democratic President president and State Planning Board chairman Donkupar Roy, Additional Chief Secretary P B O Warjri, West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and SP, Sangma met villagers and briefed them of the decision of the government to set up Meghalaya’s permanent police outpost in Langpih. A team comprising senior officials from Assam led by Lower Assam Commissioner was also present at Langpih when the Meghalaya CM toured the area

After their return from Langpih, Sangma said: “The people were very happy to meet us though their body language still showed that they are still shaken by the Assam Police’s shooting incident that killed four Langpih residents.” He, however, said after he assured them of setting up the police outpost they appeared to be relieved.

Previous Meghalaya governments had failed to set up a police outpost in Langpih which had been a long pending demand of the villagers and various NGOs in Shillong.