Shillong: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma on Monday accused “politically motivated people” of spreading “fake news” on social media and attempting to take credit for development works carried out by the NPP-led govt.Addressing an event in Damas, North Garo Hills on May 18, Sangma said the govt has kept people at the centre of its development agenda and prioritised indigenous rights. “We, as a govt, are putting the rights of our indigenous people at the forefront,” he said.Sangma said the govt believes in dialogue rather than suppressing dissent, and cited the recent unrest over barring non-tribals from contesting elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). He said the govt engaged with NGOs, pressure groups and the public.“We respect the sentiments of our people and we chose to decide what the people wanted by making an ST certificate mandatory for contesting GHADC elections,” he said.Sangma alleged that some individuals were using social media to claim credit for the govt’s development initiatives.“They are taking credit for the development works that the NPP-led govt is doing for the state. I don’t want to name them, but it is clearly evident as they choose social media to propagate their lies to garner publicity,” he said.
