HNLC bandh call defied
SHILLONG: In open defiance of the 36-hour bandh called by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), a crowd swelled to occupy the central traffic island at the heart of this city on Monday.
People from every walk of life, men, women, children and the working class, made their voices heard in an emotional outpouring of grief and anguish at the adamant and egoistic attitude of government, pressure groups and militant outfits unwilling to resolve their differences through dialogue, at the cost of the livelihoods of thousands of daily wage earners.
The 21st of October 2013 shall go down in history as the day the people of Shillong, gathered courage, and came together as one to make a stand and speak up against bandhs, communal hatred and government apathy in a Citizens’ Gathering called for by ICARE, the Society for Informed, Conscious and Responsible Existence at Khyndailad, Shillong.
Individuals and citizens who volunteered to speak, impressed on the immediate need for the Government and agitating NGOs to do away with ego and engage in constructive deliberations and talks, leading by example by becoming true leaders genuinely concerned about the uplift of the state and her people.
Columnist Disparsing Rani thanked ICARE for providing a platform for citizens to articulate their feelings. He said the plight of farmers is so pathetic that most of them have given up farming and are in search of livelihoods in the city. “Those who have taken loans to buy passenger vehicles have made huge losses during this agitation period,” he said.
A person who said he made Shillong his home for over fifty years said, “We are not challenging any organisation or the government in this regard. We are here as concerned citizens of the state who, for the past few weeks, have experienced so much of injustice. We feel deprived of our fundamental rights of movement and work which should not have been so in a democratic country. It is time to stop bickering and to make decisions for the welfare of the state as a whole,” he added.
Echoing his views, a young lady from the crowd said “The current situation in the state can be compared to the British rule when we had to listen and follow every order announced by influential people of the day,” adding that the controversial issue flickering around the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state has to be settled once and for all, to prevent further burdening of daily bread earners of every household, especially those from the rural areas.
Believing in change, LG Laloo, another speaker, pointed out that the people of the state are responsible for settling into a comfort zone each time a bandh is called.
“We are the ones supporting the bandhs, office picketing and road blockades. Today if one or two persons call up the media and announce a bandh, people will listen,” Laloo said adding, “only if we let go of our fears can we defeat undemocratic forces because no one can stop us from exercising our rights!” he said.
On the same note, DKB Mukhim, a college teacher, highlighted the deleterious effect of bandhs on the student community. He urged the HNLC to call off the bandh on Tuesday to allow the students of the North Eastern Hill University to attend their convocation and receive their degrees from the President of the country. “To achieve what they aim for, the NGOs should fight for their cause through dialogue and responsible action, as great soldiers of God do in their fight against evil. It is for them to adopt a peaceful way of getting things done rather than resorting to agitations which affect the livelihoods of others.” Mukhim said.
Prominent citizen of the state, A H Scott Lyngdoh spoke on the existing laws and acts of the State which may be amended and applied as a mechanism to tackle the problem of influx. “For the past few weeks, we have experienced hard times and what I have realized is, we are still unaware of an effective mechanism to tackle this problem.” Scott said. Naming some of the options which could tackle the problem; work permits, a three-tier system, Inner Line Permit and the Trading of Non-Tribals Regulation, 1954, Scott pointed out that some of these acts are included in the book of laws as a formality and have yet to be employed.
“The Trading of Non-Tribals Regulation, 1954 is a complete failure by the district councils and I say this from experience as we have been responsible for overseeing this powerful act which could curb the inflow of illegal migrants to the state,” the former MDC said.
Referring to the demands put forth by the NGOs, Scott Lyngdoh said that the need of hour is to come up with a working plan to implement the Inner Line permit in the state, while addressing and foreseeing the inevitable hurdles presented to the state.
A surprise appearance by the Shillong Chamber Choir, singing “Make me a Channel of your Peace”, tugged at the heartstrings of the crowd. An impromptu speech from William Richmond Basaiawmoit, Choir member resonated with the sentiments of youth present.
“The choir is here of our own will today, not bound by the will of others or by vested interests. We believe that Prayer can be powerful instrument of peace. We plead with the people of Shillong to choose a side and not be fence-sitters. If we are on the side of good, God will be our protector,” he said.
Rap performances, spontaneous dance routines and a mini-flash mob were some of the ways youth chose to express their criticism of the bandh culture at the gathering.
Other speakers included Toki Blah, President ICARE and Patricia Mukhim. The platform for Citizens’ hosted by ICARE spelt out a single word- “Enough”, driving home a resounding message from the crowd that rose to cheers of the phrase “Enough is Enough” to close what was a remarkable display of unity and peace against the backdrop of the State’s current impasse on Bandhs and Influx.
Some moments leave a mark on the fabric of our lives. October 21, 2013 is a special moment for all those who left the comfort of their homes and attended a gathering in defiance of the bandh call by HNLC.