Editor,
The call for a bandh on 23rd December, 2013 defies all logic and is against all civilized norms. The bandh call is ostensibly against the arrest of some individuals under the MPDA and other perceived injustices including the fact that some “corrupt politicians” are allowed to go scot free.
Yes, there are burning issues like “influx” and serious allegations of corruption and mis-governance, but how does calling a bandh help in our fight against injustice? How can we fight injustice by imposing and heaping further injustice on the common people and ordinary Christians during their most important festival? In fact, how can a bandh call or a call for a road blockade at any time of the year help to address the issues? In my interaction with various sections of the population of Laitumkhrah, I have observed that there is almost unanimous opinion that the bandhs / blockades hurt the wage earners, the petty shopkeepers and other ordinary people who make their living through the sweat of their brow on a daily basis.
Today, we in India have many institutions that seek to address the problems of injustice. These institutions may not be perfect but it is an educated and alert public opinion in co-operation with dedicated pressure groups that seek to reform the institutions through peaceful means, that can achieve results. The Right to Information Act and the Lok Pal Bills were not passed because the government was magnanimous. A concerted effort by public spirited individuals supported by a crowd of nameless people have managed to make the authorities sit up and change how we are governed.
And there is no point complaining about corrupt politicians. Always remember the maxim: “We get the government we deserve.” We cannot attempt to change the political landscape if each one of us does not use our vote judiciously.
Finally, there can be no short cuts to change and progress ……….. certainly not through the bandh culture.
Yours etc.,
G. M. Bruce Sawkmie,
Rangbah Shnong, Laitumkhrah,
Shillong-3
Some thoughts on ILP
Editor,
The frequent bandhs and picketing in Meghalaya over the ILP issue have affected my life and the life of the people in the villages. This switch off/on mode of the bandhs at very short notice make it appear as if Meghalaya is a FAILED STATE which can be switched on and off, that a mere rumour can create havoc, panic buying and total closure in the villages. Living in a village there are very few people who know what is ILP and many friends have asked me what it is. I thought it therefore appropriate that I share some thoughts on this issue-
The concept of ILP is envisaged in the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873. The notification includes the district of Khasi and Jaintia hills also. In brief, the regulation empowers the State Govt to prescribe and from time to time to alter by notification a line to be called the Inner line in each district. Once this line is prescribed, the Govt can prohibit ALL citizens of India or any other class of citizens residing in or passing through to go beyond this line. If someone crosses this line without permission he can be subjected to a fine or imprisonment upto one year. The concept of ILP was brought in 1873 i.e 140 years back. What were the conditions of the Khasis and Jaintias 140 years ago? Are we still so backward that we need such protection after 140 years?.What is making us so paranoid that we need such an archaic regulation now? Have we progressed or gone backwards in this age of globalisation?. Does such protection bring pride or insult to us?
Suppose we introduce this regulation (the Inner Line Regulation) again, where and how do we draw such a line and in which district? The Assam Meghalaya border is still in dispute and remains unsolved till date. The National highway passes through the State and any Tom, Dick or Harry can get down at Byrnihat, Umling, Nongpoh, Umsning, Khliehriat etc and can jolly well walk over and cross any imaginary line that can be prescribed. Is it therefore practical to declare such a line?
ILP means Inner Line PERMIT. When we say ‘permit’ it means someone has to issue the permit, someone has to verify and someone has to impose a fine or put someone in jail. Which Department will do this? Can we imagine a Department with such enormous powers? How can we prevent this Department from issuing such permit to a Pakistani, if he can pay enough money? Will we not encourage more corruption and misuse of power if we create such Dept?
The regulation says that ALL citizens of the country– which therefore include Khasis and Jaintias also. Nowadays there are so many Khasis and Jaintias who cannot be immediately identified to be Khasis or Jaintias. As we intermarry and move outside our State in search of livelihoods and live outside for many years, many of our children do not look or think like Khasis or Jaintias and can barely speak the language. Do such children need PROFILING to live or enter our state? Do they need to register themselves in some office to come back home? Will some of them get arrested if they do not possess the Inner Line Permit? Who will identify that a person is a Khasi or a Jaintia and what is the definition of a Khasi or Jaintia?
I do not have the answers to these burning questions, but I would request all concerned citizens of the State of Meghalaya to ponder over these issues. Sadly my impression is that that the Khasi – Jaintia people are becoming more paranoid due to lack of proper knowledge and political and social discourse. Hence we are falling prey to fear about 666, Aadhar, end of the world etc. The clear sign of such panic and fear is the panic buying of salt in villages recently due to rumours. I had a hard time convincing my own close relatives not to believe such rumours by explaining to them that salt is harvested from sea water and as long as the oceans exist there will never be a shortage of salt. Imagine what will happen if there are rumours of shortage of rice! Will it not create riots? The same goes with the ILP issue-we should think properly before we act.
Yours etc.,
T.H.S.BONNEY IFS(Retd),
Sohiong village,
East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya.