Editor,
It was a great victory for the people of Tura, when thousands marched out in protest against the proposed 300 hour bandh called by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA). The militants scaled down their wild threats against the civilians. The incident reminded us once again that people’s power is the strongest and that happens when every one joins hands and remains united. Meghalaya and the North East has not seen such a peoples’ protest in the past. While people showed their strength silently, the gun wielding GNLA was compelled to withdraw the bandh. Let us not forget this incident ever. Whenever a bandh is called or violence breaks out we should unitedly protest as we live in a democratic society.
Yours etc.,
Jonto Ronghang
SMU Student
Bandh no solution
Editor,
The bandh call given by some NGOs smacks of political agenda. If the NGOs have a bone to pick with the Government or with the Election Commission, why do they have to use the common people in their fight? Why do they assume that a solution lies in a bandh? It never does. Not too long ago, we had a bandh imposed upon us for an issue as absurd as the number plates of vehicles. What did that bandh achieve? Coming back to the present issue of D-voters, if the NGOs are raising this issue, surely they must have some idea of the ground realities and about who these dubious voters are and in which areas/ localities they reside. One cannot simply fight for an issue with no basic knowledge at all. In our present system, enrolment of voters are, in almost all cases, through the headmen and most of the headmen are locals. Therefore, the NGOs (or Sengbhalang in Khasi) should go to those localities and headmen and straighten the matter out. Or if the problem is with the Government, they should fight it out with the Government but not by using the common people as a shield. That is cowardly. Otherwise, this bandh will simply be another one to add to the long list in the history of our immature society. It will bring nothing but misery to the poor, and some political ga ins to certain individuals.
Yours etc.
P. Lyngdoh
Shillong-5
