James-Sangma
Meghalaya home minister James K Sangma

In strong repercussions to Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s official declaration that December 28 and 29 will no longer be government holidays in the state, the National People’s Party (NPP) has attacked Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for declaring December 28 and 29 as mandatory working days and termed the decision as ‘insensitive’.

An NPP press statement released on Thursday said, “We condemn the insensitive decision of the Mukul Sangma-led Government. Christmas and New Year is a time that everyone in Meghalaya cherishes and spends time with family and loved ones. Everyone comes together to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ.”

The party also demanded that the Chief Minister revoke the order.

The NPP was of the view that the move showed Sangma’s ‘callous and insensitive attitude’ and ‘people are being made to work on these days to facilitate laying of more foundation stones’ by the Chief Minister. The NPP national spokesperson James K Sangma was very on the matter saying that the decision will have hurt the sentiments of the people of the state.

Meghalaya, primarily a Christian state, has been enjoying a week-long holiday from Christmas to New year. The period is marked by fanfare and merriment. But days earlier, the Chief Minister issued a communiqué that December 28 and 29 will no longer be holidays and declared the days as mandatory working days.