By Patricia Mukhim
Garo Hills is spiralling out of control. Extortion, kidnapping and murders are daily fares. Those elected to govern the State seem to have abdicated their duties possibly because they don’t face the brunt of militancy. The two most powerful Sangma families are at loggerheads, trading charges at one another. Instead of lowering their decibels, swallowing their pride and coming together to confront the most tormenting period in the history of Garo Hills, they are trying to score political points. While one set of Sangmas (the NPP variety) have become frequent visitors to Delhi to seek the intervention of this or that BJP bigwig the other Sangma too is seeking Delhi’s help. Does this mean that things have gone beyond the control of the State Government? If indeed the Government is serious about tackling militancy why are the kidnappings for ransom by sundry groups not stopped? Why are the counter-insurgency operations happening in fits and starts? Why are some militant leaders always escaping the police dragnet? Who in the police is informing the militant honchos about the planned operations thereby putting the lives of their other colleagues on the line?
First things first. Those who have joined militant outfits with no respect for human lives have no right to talk of human rights when an operation is launched against them. And neither should the Government wear kid gloves while tackling militancy. Militancy thrives because militants have a close nexus with ruling party politicians. Senior officials of the Home Ministry and the Intelligence Bureau are very well informed of this nexus and know which politician is playing footsie with which militant group in Meghalaya. Dr Mukul Sangma does need not go to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to plead his innocence about the allegations by his political rivals that he has a nexus with certain militant organisations. How he deals with militancy in Garo Hills will decide whether or not he is innocent.
As of today the Chief Minister is seen adopting a flip-flop stance on the issue. When asked by the media recently how he proposes to tackle the virulent GNLA, he muttered that “all options are open.” That is not saying much in a situation where the most visible and aggressive action is demanded from the security forces. Political observers see Dr Mukul Sangma’s actions as blowing hot and cold. There is no consistency in the government’s stance. When there is a hue and cry over a killing that makes it to national news the chief minister talks tough. When lesser mortals die or are kidnapped he does not stir. The chief minister and his cabinet colleagues travel to Garo Hills with a security entourage that the state can ill afford. Every policeman is needed at this crucial juncture. The state cannot afford to spare so many policemen for VIP duties. If the ordinary person can brave the militant bullets should the elected representatives not be with them? Should they be spending time in Shillong or Delhi?
At one time the Khasi-Jaintia society was bleeding because the HNLC had begun to extort, kill and kidnap their own people. To the credit of the Khasi-Jaintia MLAs, none of them proposed a truce with the HNLC. Those who had links with the outfit quickly disconnected themselves for fear of being exposed. Again because the then Home Minister – RG Lyngdoh – was a no-nonsense man! He would have knocked off the ANVC too but for the interference of some powerful Garo MLAs/ministers then. Perhaps someday RG Lyngdoh may tell his story.
Many don’t care to remember the late Dr FA Khonglam’s death anniversary but if there is one person who during his chief minister ship went hammer and tongs at the HNLC it was Dr Khonglam. He had guts and that was because he never had any truck with any underground outfit even though he was beset by other personal quirks and ethical dilemmas. What the political establishment of Meghalaya and the people should realise is that militancy, terrorism and organised crimes are committed by a few against an entire society. It is sad that there is a section in Garo Hills which is overtly and covertly supporting militancy because they see it as an employment avenue for their young sons. Parents know their sons have joined militant outfits or are over ground supporters distributing extortion letters to business establishments and also collecting the money on their behalf and are being paid wages for that work. Parents know that if their sons/daughters are caught in that criminal act they will be arrested or killed but the family is in such dire straits that they prefer to look the other way. Criminality has gained ascendancy and we are informed that the situation today is so bad on account of the slump in the coal economy that criminal gangs are ready to kidnap individuals for ransoms as little as Rs 5000. Can anything get worse than this?
And considering that such utter lawlessness prevails in a part of the country can the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) continue to look the other way? Though law and order is a state subject as per Art 246 of the Constitution but the MHA cannot remain a mute spectator towards deliberate, intentional or incompetent approach of the State Government towards crimes being committed against entire societies. In fact the MHA should take a strong stand against the State Government’s propensity to soft peddle on issues of militancy, terrorism and organised crime
Surely it is more than a coincidence that ceasefire moves are made by Government on the eve of some election for immediate political gains. Why is it that a truce is called with militant groups on the eve of elections? Why do militants flex their muscles before elections? Is it not because they want to strike a deal with politicians? A deal which says – I will help get the votes through coercion, intimidation, killing and kidnapping, as long as you pay me the money. It is high time that we demand an enquiry by the CBI or the NIA into the militant- politician nexus in Garo Hills.
At this juncture Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma should not be talking of peace talks. His police force is going all out to flush the militants with help from the Centre. But why is the Chief Minister taking recourse to this route. Is it to save his Government? No Government can make a pact with criminals who have killed in cold blood. Peace talks with gun-toting militia devoid of any ideology should be a No- No. Here are some questions that the Chief Minister should answer. (a) What will happen to criminal cases registered against militants after the ceasefire agreement? (b) Does the Chief Minister have any right to grant amnesty to the killers? He has not lost a kith or kin to militant bullets and therefore he has no right to speak of ‘giving the brothers (militants)’ a chance to reform. Militants don’t reform; they only split. (c) The Chief Minister might also like to inform us how the ANVC (B) was formed. And what has happened to the cases registered against the ANVC? (d) Under what law are criminal cases registered against militants withdrawn and why are they not prosecuted for serious crimes committed? (e) What about the victims? Will they ever get justice?
The powerful politicians who hobnob with militants are given police protection. Will these politicians ever be brought to justice for their tacit support to militants for short term political gains? This is also the time when the Home Minister has to assert herself and take a stand that is pro-people and not pro-government. In fact a time has come when the Supreme Court should take suo-moto cognisance of the ceasefire farce proposed by politicians without providing justice to victims of militancy.
Unless the victims of militant offences agree and become party to ceasefire agreements the Government cannot arbitrarily decide to sign such agreements. Civil society too should be a party to such ceasefire agreements. Anything short of that would be a travesty of justice.