Editor,
We hear that the conglomeration of pressure groups in Garo Hills have called for shutdowns or non-cooperation movement on 12th and 13th June to protest against the recent custodial deaths and killing of ‘police informers’ by militants. While protests against the above cases are necessary, bandhs these days will adversely affect the students community. These days students are going from one institution to another to face interviews. Others are taking admissions. In some schools Half Yearly Examinations are commencing on the 12th.
One of the reasons for poor results in Garo Hills is irregular classes. There are lot of drop outs and failures. These drop outs join militant groups. The agitating groups are appealed to reconsider thier decision for the sake of the student community.
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang,
Via email
Lawlessness in Garo Hills
Editor,
As a citizen of Garo Hills, I am very much pained about the sorry state of affairs in Garo Hills where killings, extortion, kidnapping and all sorts of crimes keep happening on a daily basis These days the situation is horrifying. There is total absence of security to life and property. All the towns are dead after sun set. Business and development have is in a stand still. Government officers are not free to exercise their authority hence projects are completed without monitoring. Contractor bills have to be paid without field verification. It appears as if there is no government. The four districts of Garo Hills are experiencing the rule of the jungle. People have no more faith in the government and the security forces; politicians are not interested to solve the problems but are busy fishing in troubled waters. If one goes deeper into the problems and ugly scenes in the Garo Hills, one would find that several factors are responsible for the present scenario. Enmity and bitter rivalry between the Sangmas (PA Sangma vrs Mukul Sangma)has added to the problems. Civil society and NGOs are biased or are anti- establishment. They should share the responsibility for the present situation. They are against the government but no initiative is taken by them to save the situation. Top administrators ( especially the junior and inexperienced IAS officers) in the districts are inefficient and politically motivated. The Commissioner of Division and DIG Western Range do not stay in Garo Hills resulting in lack of coordination amongst the districts. The DC/SP do not get mutual counseling and guidance from their immediate seniors. There is total chaos and indiscipline in the rank and file of the police organization where the lower cadre of the police have become a belligerent lot. Some of them have even become informers of the militants. The ANVC has been pampered too much. This has encouraged other criminal groups to take up arms as an investment for future monetary and political gains. Religious preachings and teachings have lost effect because church leaders do not practice what they preach. Christianity is reduced to Sunday rituals which in turn has reduced the number of God fearing people.
My humble suggestions are (1) Complete overhauling of the district police of all ranks, (2) CRPF may be replaced by selected tactical commandos of the state police, as the CRPF personnel are more concerned with tiffin than fighting militants. CRPF may be deployed only for normal patrolling and mob control, (3) Specific officers be posted at Tura as DIG Western Range and Commissioner of Division who can communicate and coordinate the administration in the four districts. (4) Efficient, daring, dedicated and senior officers be it IAS/IPS/MCS/MPS should be posted as DC/SP. They should have the moral backbone to say ‘no’ to politicians and take hard decisions. (5) All party meetings and all MLA/MDC meetings should be held regularly to brain- storm on issues that concern Garo Hills. (6) MLAs/MDCs who have links with militants should be brought to book. (7) Intell1gence of the security forces has to be upscaled. Financial sources of the militants should be blocked. (8) Right thinking citizens should come together to form a common platform to take stock of the performance of Garo Hills MLAs, including the Chief Minister and also the MP, PA Sangma.
Yours etc.,
Ritchie G Momin
Barapani, Meghalaya.
Addicted to power and pelf
Editor,
We are stunned to read the news report in your esteemed daily (ST May 6, 2014) as to how a top level post in the Police Department can be manipulated in such a way, that too in a state like Meghalaya. The 7 days DG (SB/ClD) with 4 working days only in a non-existent post is really going to set an example to all the IPS officers and entire Police Administration in the country,
The same officer has also created a history in his office i.e. North Eastern Police Academy from where he took over the charge of DG(SB/ClD) Meghalaya on April 23, 2014. It seems that he has an addiction to NEPA. ln spite of joining as DG(SB/ClD) he kept on visiting the NEPA office regularly till his retirement on April 30, 2014. He did not want to leave NEPA in spite of his superannuation and wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs for extension of his service by another six months failing which he plans to get absorbed as DGP in Meghalaya for his pensionary benefits and status.
This officer enjoyed lots of benefits and favours in NEPA from a section of his officers like managing his huge medicine bill up to Rs. 50,OOO every month, showing in different heads. An investigation into such manipulation will certainly reveal the truth. It is interesting to note that the officer is still visiting his office chamber at NEPA frequently and occupying his official residence with all official benefits like security/escort, govt. vehicle, personal staff etc. as he did before retirement. It is also learnt that he has plans to stay back in NEPA for a couple of months with the help of a section of his officers to avail all official benefits as Director, NEPA though the new Director has already been appointed and is about to join in the next month. This will also be another adverse example for all the IPS officers and the entire law enforcement agencies in the country. The situation can be best defined as an addiction to a post an unwillingness to let go.
Yours etc.,
P Kharnaior
Umiam, Shillong