SHILLONG, JUL 10: Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai on Friday criticized the Voice of the People Party for opposing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s visit to Jaintia Hills for the Behdeinkhlam festival, calling it “embarrassing” and unnecessary.
Sarma attended the festival in Jowai on Thursday as chief guest on the invitation of Seinraij, Jowai.
Shullai, Deputy Chief Minister and local MLAs were also present.
“Yes, we feel so embarrassed that the Prah party (VPP) have oppose the visit of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as chief guest to witness the great festival of the pnar community, the Behdeinkhlam yesterday, I was also with him,” Shullai said.
He said linking the visit to the border issue was wrong.
“I feel so funny that they alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma should solve the boundary issue… which is not connected with the border issue,” he said.Shullai added that while groups have the right to raise border concerns, protesting a cultural event was inappropriate.
“Everybody, individuals, NGOs or political parties have every right to raise any issues… but they should not protest his visit to the festival as chief guest, it is not connected with the border issue,” he said.
“The border issue, there is a committee constituted by the government. If there are any suggestions or any protest in writing, they can go to the government or the said committee,” he added.
“All these things I want to say we feel so funny that the political party like the Prah has given all these statements, which is not accepted by the people of the state,” Shullai said.
