There is anger among the people, if public calls for economic blockade we can’t stop them: Ashok Singhal

July 30: “No economic blockade has been announced by the Assam Government as yet. If any such decision is taken, then our government will inform it,” said Guardian Minister Ashok Singhal while interacting with the media at Lailapur in Assam- Mizoram border. He, however, stated, “If public calls for a blockade, then what can we do. Six persons have died and so naturally, there is anger among the people. If the public calls for a blockade, we can’t actually do anything.”

When asked whether it is not the duty of the government to convince the public and stop them from refraining from creating blockade, Minister Ashok Singhal replied, “We can stop the public, but we can’t stop their emotions. This is an emotional issue. Six persons have been shot dead with LMG. Can you imagine, when officials of two Indian states are discussing to restore peace, at that moment, Mizo forces opened fire on unprovoked people for 32 long minutes, what will happen then?”

“It is a really unfair to ask whether we can’t control our public in the backdrop of the incident when the state machinery of Mizoram failed to control its police forces. Even our Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma told his counterpart of Mizoram during a meeting in Shillong to tell openly what he actually wants. Himantaji categorically stated that to observe status quo as regards territory as per the possession on 1 April, 2020. But the CM of Mizoram did not agree to this,” added Mr Singhal.

As regards the strict attitude of Assam government on elimination of drugs business, Ashok Singhal said, “The drugs network from Myanmar operates through this route and reaches upto Punjab. But our Chief Minister has now broken this chain and has taken a tough stand on it. So this is quite natural for those whose business is hampered to retaliate in one form or the other. This has resulted in the incident on Monday when Mizo police opened fire on us. But we are determined on our stand. We will not allow anyone to use the territory of Assam for supply of drugs, illegal commodities, human trafficking, cattle.”

Appealing to the masses at Lailapur in Assam – Mizoram border, the Guardian Minister said that whatever is required for safeguarding the border residents, the government will do its best and there is no need to panic.