SHILLONG – Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong delivered two messages on Wednesday that had little to do with each other on paper, but plenty in common politically: the government is not prepared to tolerate law-and-order violations, and there is no Cabinet reshuffle on the table, at least for now.
Tynsong’s warning came after the Khasi Students’ Union cautioned against what it said as “haphazard” arrests of its members in connection with the August 19 incident. He said the government would not distinguish between the KSU, other organisations or individuals when dealing with illegal activity.
“If you create a law-and-order situation, how can we just keep quiet, tell me?”. The Home Minister’s position was direct. Illegal activity, he said, could not be condoned regardless of who was involved. The warning comes as the KSU continues to press the government for facilitation centres at Umling and Ratacherra, arguing that stronger state presence and easier access to services are needed in border areas.
On the proposed Umling centre, Tynsong said the process had already started, with the Ri-Bhoi district administration expected to conduct a joint inspection of the proposed site soon. The Deputy Commissioner has been entrusted with the exercise.
The second message was aimed at the political rumour mill. Asked about speculation over a possible Cabinet reshuffle amid reports of discussions between a section of UDP legislators and the BJP, Tynsong said there was no such proposal under consideration.
“As of now, nothing is there. There is nothing like that, as of now.”
The UDP has rejected claims that its MLAs are preparing to leave the party, while the NPP has maintained that the MDA government remains numerically secure in the 60-member Assembly.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has also dismissed suggestions of instability, saying the MDA will complete its term and that reports of leadership differences or a threat to Tynsong’s Cabinet position are unfounded.
