Shillong: Mukul Sangma, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, has completely ruled out any further division of the state saying it would only increase the social and economic vulnerability of the people.
"Further division of the state would place even more constraints on our resources. The developmental process will further suffer. For the viability of a state, a certain mass in terms of area and population becomes necessary," Sangma said in his reply to a resolution in the assembly seeking creation of a separate Garoland state.
Lone Garo National Council (GNC) legislator Clifford R Marak, who moved the resolution for a separate state in Garo Hills, said the demand was raised due to lack of economic development and also due to linguistic barriers with the Khasi-Jaintia tribes inhabiting eastern Meghalaya.
"If the state government is willing, they can take up the issue with the centre and help us to achieve our goal for creation of a Garoland state," said Marak.
