SHILLONG: In the wake of continued unrest in Garo Hills, varied suggestions have emerged on how to tackle the problems that plague the region and to empower the impoverished area.
Besides lack of employment opportunities, administrative activities are not reaching the beneficiaries at the grass root and the vacuum has been well exploited by the criminal groups and militants, feel many.
Creation of a mini secretariat with a few cabinet ministers and officers permanently camping in Garo Hills to give ear to the grievances of the people is one suggestion to deal with the current situation.
Several pressure groups in Garo Hills including the GSU had put forward this in the past, but in vain.
Another idea is to have a full fledged Commissioner of Divisions in Garo Hills to oversee the problems in the area. He or she should be posted in Garo Hills instead of Shillong contrary to the current practice.
Moreover, at present, the Commissioner of Divisions, who is camping in Shillong, is allotted several Government departments and is not able to concentrate on the affairs of Garo Hills. Only when there is a serious problem that he visits Garo Hills as per the order of the Government.
A government official said that discussion was already held to have a full fledged Commissioner of Divisions for Garo Hills.
Suggestions
lMini Secretariat in the region
lFull-fledged Commissioner of Divisions
lUnion Territory to ensure Central intervention
lStatehood for speedy development
lSustainable employment of youths
Interestingly there is also a suggestion from some quarters that Garo Hills should be declared a Union Territory in order to ensure speedy development.
The demand for Statehood is also being raised from many quarters, but there is skepticism whether Garo Hills will have enough resources to set up a full fledged state.
Moreover, the State Government has already rejected the idea of creating a separate state for the Garos.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said that development is the only answer to all ills of the region and district administration would focus on livelihood and sustainable employment of youths.
He said that many schemes have been started with the primary aim of providing sustainable employment to youths.
Daddengre MLA and NPP leader James Sangma said that situation has become very serious and problems are best solved when they are nipped in the bud.
He said that the solution has to be multi pronged keeping in mind the socio economic condition of the people.
“The Government needs to involve all sections of people while trying to solve the complicated issue,” he added.
Former Chief Secretary HWT Syiem also said that the insurgency problem in Garo Hills is a matter of serious concern and the Centre should also intervene into the matter for it will have serious implications in future.
“One should also look at the cause of the problem,” Syiem said.