Editor,
The recent activities of the militant groups in Garo Hills region is a grim reminder of the continuous terror unleashed, not only on government officials but also on ordinary citizens from different walks of life. It is no secret that the main and only motive of these terrorist groups is to extort money and the amounts slapped by them range ridiculously from Rs 50 Lakhs to even a Crore. The fact is out of the total population in Garo Hills, only a handful are crore-patis, and even then it is only through hard work that everybody has been able to achieve a certain level of lifetime savings. Therefore the question remains, for how long can the people of Garo Hills remain silent spectators and allow militant groups to unleash terror.
The problem faced by the people from all walks of life is actually different from the general views of the media. The root cause for the militant activities is believed to be lack of development in the rural areas. A deeper analysis will reveal that almost all the government schemes are related to rural development and there has been a gradual change in the rural infrastructure & livelihood pattern. But the problem lies in the fact that the people are fearful to grow and develop, individually as well as a society as it creates unnecessary attention for the militants, as almost every progressive individual becomes a target. Even if the general belief is that the government officials hardly implement schemes, the fact remains that there are certain few who are willing to make a change, but then if someone took the responsibility, he doubles the risk of being caught in the militants’ radar. Hence no official actually wants to give in the best and the logical option is to actually just sit around quietly. Lack of employment is another issue and it is stupid and unreasonable to believe that the government can actually create jobs for lakhs of unemployed. The only rational step is to be entrepreneurs but then when militants target even petty traders, what other choice to people have.
The government on its part is conducting several operations and is even opening up for negotiations and peace talks, but the situation in Garo Hills is only proceeding from bad to worse. The questions to be asked now are, will the government be able to take any concrete and result oriented decisions? Will the militant groups agree to peace talks and settlements for the dawn of a new peaceful Garo Hills? Or is the time approaching for the people to come together to take violent measures against the terrorist individuals and organizations on the lines on the Mukalimi Seize where the frustrated public fought against the repressions of the NSCN?
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Modi-fied Media
Editor,
Judging by the way election campaigns are going the media occupies a central place. This general election 2014 is turning out to be a media-based election. The way the BJP has gone all out leaving no stone unturned in the use of the media just indicates how powerful a tool media is. Narendra Modi who was just a cult figure in his state of Gujarat a few years ago, has today become the most visible politician in the national media. You surf any news channels on television and will undoubtedly stumble upon Modi and the BJP. I won’t be wrong to say that the media is today “Modi-fied media”. The BJP probably are convinced of the power of media and how it can swerve the people’s opinion in their favour. Modi for that matter appears to be a media-friendly person and he is quite adept in social communication. He seems to know how to exploit the advantages of the media. Media appeals to the senses and imagination of the people. In a country like India where the people are largely uneducated and hence unable to analyze the media critically, it is easy for them to give in to sensationalism and thus be influenced by what they watch. If the BJP comes to power in this election, the credit should go to the media. However, what the BJP fails to realize is that excess of anything is always counter-productive and may even boomerang on them. The BJP today is using the media ad nauseam. I have already heard viewers expressing disgust with the Modi invasion of all news channels. The investment of the BJP in media during this election is phenomenal. The common man would be scandalized to know the actual amount spent on publicity. It looks like the BJP is fighting its ultimate battle and so pooling all its resources to ensure a victory. The Congress on the other hand appear to be media-shy this election. They have not made much effort to make themselves visible. Perhaps it is because their morale is down. Ultimately, what we will witness in this election is the impact of the media on decision making of the citizens. Will the magic of “Modi-fied media” work or will it be their swan song?
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie,
Via email