By Albert Thyrniang
Exiled in Bangalore, I temporary lost track of what was going on back home. When I finally had the time and the means to update myself, thanks to the Shillong Times and its archive, the first thing I wanted to know was about the hunger strike led by Pynskhemlang Nongshlong. Initially the news was that Nongshlong and his team had called off their strike in Langpih at the behest of Ardent Basaiawmoit. Though many expressed shock and surprise at the development, frankly I wasn’t. I had earlier written letter to the editor on this issue. While stopping short of accusing Nongshlong of having ulterior, political motives, I clearly stated that the pressure groups who called for night blockades and public meetings in support of the fast unto death in Langpih have a political agenda. Not unexpectedly, therefore, that the ‘anti-corruption crusader’ pressured Nongshlong to call off the strike. The ‘emerging mass leader’ shows who the boss is. He holds the Langpih key. He is opportunistically using the Langpih issue as a launching pad for 2013. Perhaps he will form a political party of his own.
Now Nongshlong has called off the hunger strike giving the government two months to fulfill his demands. He may deny it but he too has political ambitions if not connection. He is also aiming for a political career. And what better way to start with than to fast for Langpih just less than a year before election! From nowhere he is now a household name. He will be in high demand by all political parties. He will be one of the ‘winnable’ candidates. I had also warned that pressure groups of all shades will try to hijack the hunger strike of the villagers. That is what is happening now. Every group is jumping into the Langpih bandwagon. The limelight is on them. All sorts of antics and stunts are being done to attract attention. The ever obliging media (print and electronic) will give them that attention. Is this the reason that Nongshlong and his fellow hunger strikers had to suspend their agitation?
As the HSPDP had earlier withdrawn support to his government the Chief Minister accused Hopingstone’s party of playing politics over the issue. Denying allegations that his government has done nothing to settle the dispute he turned the tide on the HSPDP by pointing out that it is HSPDP which had done precious little to solve the long pending imbroglio. Unable to refute the allegations the party in a hurriedly conveyed meeting in Nongstoin did a U-turn by stating that the party had not withdrawn support to the MUA government. Flip flop aside, yes the party gave us the state of Meghalaya, but it had also ruled the state for a considerably long time. It also represented Langpih for 40 years. What was the party doing all these years? It has also done absolutely nothing in term of development not only in Langpih but in most part of West Khasi Hills. For 40 years there was not even a road to Langpih! Hopingstone knows very well that his is a dwindling party. It has only two MLAs and four MDCs. Its last hope of survival is the Nongstoin, Rambrai and Pariong areas. And the assurance of that survival is by playing politics over the sensitive boundary issue. Will the voters be fooled again? Are they going to be swayed by emotions and vote for the ‘Lion’ again?
As Paul Lyngdoh in his column, “Of Sheen and Substance” (ST, July 7, 2012) correctly stated, our inability to define our boundary after gaining statehood has come to haunt us again with a vengeance. Who is/are responsible for this grave mistake? Though it is not the time for blame game, but I think the HSPDP and Hopingstone Lyngdoh cannot escape responsibility. They have to accept the bulk of the blame. Some time you have to take responsibility and move on. That is one sign of good leadership.
The negligence (intentional or unintentional) of duty by our leaders has led to this continuous imbroglio. The only way we can reclaim Langpih is by producing valid documents to prove that the area belongs to Meghalaya. On 6th July, 2012 the Home Minister, HDR Lyngdoh who led the failed high level state government delegation claimed that the state government ‘has built a strong case based on valid documents which would prove beyond doubt that Langpih belongs to Meghalaya’. This was repeated by the Chief Minster on 16th. He also claimed that the documents have been submitted to Assam government.
If valid document are available, then we need not worry. I think the best option is to go to court. It will yield faster results than the endless talks and dialogues. These valid documents will stand in the court of law – up to the Supreme Court. The Assam government and the Central government will have to respect it – in fact everybody has to. But I suspect we are not confident in doing so. Will the court rule in our favour? If there is a fear then our documents are insufficient. We are on slippery ground.
That team Pynskhem had to suspend their fast-unto-death tells us one thing: it is difficult to sustain such an agitation. Our resources and patience will run out. The most high profile fast in recent times is that of Anna Hazare. Millions of Indians hoped that the Lokpal Bill which has been gathering dust for more than 28 years would be finally passed. But nothing happened. We are back to square one. Team Anna tried all the tactics only succeeding in making the government lose sleep temporarily. The likes of Laloo Prasad Yadav made sure that the government is now soundly sleeping again (over Lokpal Bill). Will Langpih go the Lokpal way?
To resolve the Langpih imbroglio three parties are involved: the Meghalaya government, the Assam government and the Central government (not to speak of the people of Langpih, the various political parties and the numerous pressure groups). The good will of these three parties is required. So far this good will has been missing.
Let us not talk about others. Let us talk about ourselves. Not long ago the State Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to set up a joint boundary committee with Assam to look into the disputes between the two states and to call for intervention from the Centre. The resolution was outrightly rejected by the Assam Legislative Assembly. So where does it leave us? We are helpless. We cannot resolve the problem if Assam is least interested. It can always claim that the documents provided by Meghalaya are insufficient. The Union Government will be reluctant to intervene. We know how thorny land disputes can be. Kith and kin become enemies. Fights sometimes prove fatal. Settling land dispute even among siblings is not easy if parents did not do so during their life time. Though the present agitation will not be in vain, it is unlikely to bring permanent solution to Langpih, at least in the near future. Then what shall we do? Resort to agitations? How long can the agitations go on? For another 38 years? Even then the dispute may not be settled. So I come back to the best option – that is the court.
If we have the valid documents as proofs to claim ownership of our land, indeed good news! Now we have to pressurize the government to go to court. Let us not waste time and energy in strikes and protests. Now that the government has gathered all necessary valid documents it should seriously consider the option of approaching the court. Let us fight legally. At least it will be peaceful fight.