Horrific act!

Editor,
What has Meghalaya come to? A land where the rest of the world believes is a haven for women? We women, including me, have often felt that we are an egalitarian lot in comparison to the other women in the rest of India. Can we do away with this silly myth?
No woman has ever been completely safe, physically or psychologically, whether in the personal or public space. She is either afraid to move, express herself verbally or in any other way lest it bounces back on her and her loved ones in frightening ways. Let us face it! Submissiveness is the unspoken diktat for women in Meghalaya. For indeed, the pervasive aspects of patriarchal structures are apparent even in this matrilineal society but denial runs strong. In fact these two are strange bed-fellows as one writer has pointed out.
In the case of Josbina M Sangma, her body has been used as the battlefield to fight for a cause that militants believe justifies all actions- as has been the case in Manipur or in other war stricken areas in the world. She dared to resist the rape and to deny the rapists of their manhood and ended dead in a gruesome manner.  Yes, other men have been killed on the suspicion of being informers but the rape and horrific murder of Josbina appears to be their trump card – the final resort and the easiest way using the vulnerability of women.
Could they have overplayed their trump card? Let us see if the state and the people of Meghalaya can make it so.
Yours etc.
Darilyn Syiem
Chairperson
North East Network,
Shillong -14

What an Inhuman Act

Editor,
Killing of a mother in front of her children and husband is Talibanism.  But even the most dreaded terrorist  group the Taliban will not commit this kind of inhuman and barbaric act. Whether it is GNLA or ANVC-B or UALA or ASAK or ANLA it is same.  We the people of Garo Hills want the MLAs of Garo Hills to live in Garo Hills and not in the Scotland of the East.(Shillong). We want the politicians to stop accusing each other and instead work together and save Garo Hills.  We also want the NGOs of Garo Hills not  to become toys in the hands of underground groups or political parties who want to take advantage of the situation. Everyday at least three -five people are killed by the various underground groups in Garo Hills but none of the NGOs called a Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM ) to protest against these killing. It is a surprise for the people of Garo Hills that the major churches are still sleeping. The people of Garo Hills are looking towards the church not only for spiritual nourishment  but also to take up the prophetic role (speak courageously the Gospel Truth; Stop killing, kidnapping and extortion). The Baptist Church and Catholic Church must ask their members to strongly condemn every activity of the militants. The church leaders must remember the words of Jesus “Fear not I am with you’  Wake up Headquarters of the UCPF, UPM  and act fast to SAVE GARO HILLS.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request

Be tough on militants!

Editor,
Apropos, the news report on Chokpot Horror (ST, Thursday, June 5, 2014), the question to be asked is whether the so-called GNLA are really fighting for the greater cause of the A’CHIK people? If so, is this how they are fighting for the A’chiks? I, being A’chik ,am feeling ashamed to be called one because of the heinous, barbaric and inhuman attack on a helpless defenceless  A’chik woman by this so-called blood sucking group called GNLA. They think they are super heroes by making an innocent woman sit on a chair and molesting her in front of her small kids and later shooting her head off just because she resisted them?  The GNLA is nothing but a bunch of leeches led by none other than Sohan and Champion. Instead of calling themselves GNLA (Garo Nationals Liberation Army) they should omit the word ‘GARO’ and add ‘GAO’RA’ (which means Proud & Boastful). They have no right to use the word ‘GARO’ because Garos are peace loving people which they are not. The Government of Meghalaya and India should not call them for talks as they are not fit to reside in a peace loving state.  I appeal to the Hon’ble  Home Minister, Roshan .Warjri (who is a woman herself) to kindly please take strong action against the GNLA militants and give justice to the unfortunate woman who lost her life for no fault of hers.
I also call upon all peace loving people of Garo Hills and of Meghalaya to strongly condemn this inhuman act committed by these militant outfits operating in Garo Hills.
Yours etc.
Slangke Momin
Via email