Editor,
This year merciless acts over non-tribals of Meghalaya had actually started in Shillong from April 4th in a pre-planned manner, when the Khasi Students’ Union observed the ‘National Awakening Day.’ The Government has failed to protect the lives and property of minorities in the State. At the same time condemnations from tribal intellectuals after every barbaric act have failed to make a dent. In the present situation the Government seems to have locked the stable door after the horse has bolted. The recent attack on an innocent tea stall owner is an example of an inhumane act by so called miscreants. The Government has extended medical help to the victim’s family as was done in the case of Vikash Nandwal, but for how long?
The prevailing law and order situation in Shillong stems from an insoluble demand and has gone out of the hand of law enforcing agencies. In such a situation the Government should seek the help of the Central Government to maintain law and order in the State to prevent selective murders. It is ironic that a Government with a near majority has failed to contain the situation. What answer does the State Government have for the non-tribal minorities? Or is this a Government of, by and for tribals only?
Yours etc.,
PB Das,
Shillong-3
Miscreants as members of pressure groups
Editor,
On Nov 19 while driving back home after paying a visit to a relative who is unwell we met with an unpleasant incident near Lumdiengjri. Keeping in mind the road blockade at 8:00 pm we set off early but at around 7:15 pm, some 5-6 youths stopped our vehicle and tried to pelt stones at us and the car. Fortunately there were four of us all grown men, not looking for trouble but trying to defend ourselves. We managed to get hold of two youths. Both of them were intoxicated and the rest fled from the scene. We were shocked that they had ID’s identifying them as members of FKJGP, but what’s unbelievable is that one of them goes by the name of “Rahul Khongsit” and the other “Amit Nongrum.” How is it possible for a person who is not an indigenous Khasi, Jaintia or Garo to be a member of FKJGP? Are the Unions looking for quantity over quality? We eventually termed them as “Nong Shim Kabu”(Advantage Takers) many of whom you’ll find in localities like Upper Mawprem, Laban, Polo, Pynthorumkhrah and Laitumkhrah. Their main purpose is to benefit themselves by running businesses in commercial areas so the tag that they have of being a member in a Union gives them added advantage. Most of them are illiterate and cannot speak or write the local language. If you ask them about U Tirot Singh,U Kiang Nongbah and Pa Togan Sangma I bet they would know nothing and yet they pose as members of KSU and FKJGP. These are actually the culprits who ruin the prestige and dignity of our state.
Being Christians the only thing we could do with such trouble mongers is to, “forgive and forget.” We never reported the matter to the police even though the incident took place a few yards away from the Police Station. But I strongly request the various NGO’s in Meghalaya to kindly filter, educate and then select their members accordingly and to always bear in mind that quality is preferable to quantity.
Yours etc.,
Iaidskhem Lamare,
Via email
ILP and Violence
Editor,
I wish to express my solidarity with the innocent victims of the ILP wrath which has become an everyday affair now. Hence a crucial decision favoring ILP needs to be taken at the earliest to prevent further atrocities against the minority non -tribal community of Shillong and other places of Meghalaya. Implementation of ILP would by no means affect the non- tribals of the state who are anyways under an unwritten ILP. They can neither purchase land nor create new business establishments. From 1979 till date the non- tribal population has drastically reduced and we are all witness to the fact that many older generation non tribals had sold their properties to the locals during this period and have left Shillong. Barely 10-13% non tribals now remain in the state and the majority live as tenants and do not own any property. If the census reports from censusindia.gov.in are to be believed, by 2021 Meghalaya in general and Shillong in particular would see a further decline of non-tribals and this figure would fall to a single digit. Give another 10-15 years time, Meghalaya would have got rid of the entire non tribal population – a dream so dear to those who endorse these acts of violence against non- tribals. Coming to employment, Meghalaya now affirms to nearly 99% reservation of jobs for tribals in State government establishments. Even private schools and colleges now cater to this norm.
The age old mistrust, racial angst and cultural repulsion against the non tribals are so deeply rooted that it would never decline in the near future. In contrast consider cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and even the second rung cities like Indore, Lucknow, Nagpur, Pune, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and others – where people are welcome despite all odds, despite cultural conflicts and infrastructure constraints. While the advocates of ILP can carve out a dream state of their desire, the non tribals of Meghalaya should seek settlement elsewhere, where being a legal Indian is not a matter of shame but pride.
It is time for non tribals of Meghalaya to decide whether to live a second class life under the grip of fear and in ghettos, having to beg before the pressure groups to allow them to celebrate their festivals , worry when their children are late from school wondering whether they are being bullied and then burn the mid-night oil trying to secure a future for them, knowing for sure that employment and settlement is out of question as long as they live in this state. Non tribals of Meghalaya do not constitute a vote bank be at centre or state. No wonder the so called “miscreants” are never apprehended by the law enforcement bodies.
I am someone who had lost my home during the 1990s, burnt right in front of my eyes. A home that was built lovingly by my great grandparents even before India was born. No hard feelings, but that single incident had convinced me that living in pride and dignity is the critical essence of life. I am now a resident of USA and share my neighborhood with people from different races, religion and cultural affiliation. The mere thought of hating someone, to the extent of pouring petrol with the intent of murdering just because that person does not look like me, is surely a sign of mental illness which in normal language is defined as xenophobia; not even racism !
Yours etc.,
Prodip Sen,
Santa Clara,
California, USA