Editor,
It does not mean that we, the A’chik (Garo) are sleeping but to go ahead we need much more criticism so that the lacunae can be corrected. Four A’chik brothers have been killed within a span of one week (first three in Songsak area and the other in Zikzak area) by our own, so called Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) saying that they are police informers but the truth may be otherwise and I believe they themselves will not be able to provide the same. They even like torturing the innocent family members of police, and the other militant outfit ANVC, the surrendered members of their own outfit etc., even though they have nothing to do with the organization. The GNLA are serving demand notes to our fellow A’chik even up to Lower Divisional Assistants. I am proud that we have our own A’king (land) though it is like a dot in this very big world. Here, in this our very A’king, we have the right to live freely without being threatened by anyone. Alas! this is not happening. People around the world are fighting for democracy but we are going back to dictatorship era! Shame on us! Recently, they have kidnapped two MeECL employees for reasons best known to them and this should be condemned by every one of us. Again, all these are being done in the name of A’chik and thereby making us collectively responsible for all their doings. So, are you ready to take the responsibility for their entire act? If not, then we better ask them to remove the letter ‘G’ from their organization name.
Yours etc.,
T Marak,
Via email
Let’s build harmony
Editor,
This has been reference to the letter written by Dr AD Roye (ST Jan.31 2012) under the caption, “GNLA communal to the core.” His personal remarks should not to be accepted by the common people who have been living in harmony for decades. Such comments will not help to solve the core issue but will only worsen the situation like pouring fuel to the burning fire. The terrorists have no colour, creed or community. Their only objective is to terrorise the people, the break the peace and destroy the harmony and integrity and create chaos among the people. We should condemn such anti social activities from all sections of community. It may reminded that many innocent Garo people have been killed everyday and their homes are torched by the so called GNLA who shows no sympathy for them. So how can we term the GNLA as communal? The most sufferers from this kind of violent activities are Garo people .I don’t like to recall the then ANVC regime in Garo Hills because many victim widows, orphans and parents are still struggling for their survival after losing their near and dear ones. I appeal to my fellow brothers and sisters to unite and build a strong Meghalaya not to divide the people of Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
D D Sangma,
Shillong 14
Sohra restoration- another view
Editor,
Apropos the news item “Students to take part in green destination project” (ST Jan 24 2012), I am of the opinion that there is no logic in restoring the greenery of Sohra at such a huge financial investment. There is no evidence to ever prove that Sohra was once heavily covered with healthy vegetative growth nor was it once a fertile agriculture or horticulture area that requires restoration. The famous Sohra oranges are cultivated on the southern slopes and not on the Sohra plateau. The geo-physical- climatic condition at Sohra is generally not conducive for tree growth but favours scrub vegetation and grasslands. What is needed at Sohra is to motivate the local people to prevent the burning of the hills during the winter months which usually destroys all forms of micro flora and fauna. Once this burning is checked, scrub and grass will naturally thrive within a few years. These in turn will provide sufficient cover to prevent further soil erosion and also trap the rain water and improve the moisture regime of the soil and thus activate the restoration process. It is also observed that as water is usually not retained in any depression area around Sohra because of the porous sub surface strata in the soil, the efficacy of the surface rain water harvesting structures to retain water is very much in doubt .There is also the possibility of early siltation in the reservoirs because of the barren surroundings. Therefore while there is need to make people, particularly the students to take part in the preservation of the environment everywhere and not only at Sohra ,what is needed is a pragmatic approach, strong commitment and years of sustained efforts. Mere rituals and having huge physical and financial targets to be achieved within a short time frame will simply drain precious public money
Yours etc.,
Donbok Syiemlieh,
Shillong -3