Editor,
By the 12th of June most news papers of the state had reported that the 24 hour bandh call by the proscribed HNLC had passed off peacefully. Khasi newspapers as usual went a step further in proclaiming to one and all of a ‘successful 24 hr HNLC bandh’. Success of what’s not clear but it just shows which way a mindset is leaning!
The HNLC logic for the bandh was ‘the organisation’s claim that the NGT ban was detrimental to the interest and identity of the Hynniewtrep people. How is not clear. One always believed that indigenous people, like the Hynniewtrep people, are always associated with their closeness and attachment with mother nature. Upholding Tribal culture and environmental preservation are one and the same. Therefore a bandh in protest against something that sought to protect, promote and preserve our identity makes no sense. The HNLC bandh call is therefore something of a mystery.
On deeper examination however the reason for the Bandh is not so difficult to understand. A militant outfit survives from extortions and the rich coal barons have always contributed lavishly to the HNLC coffers. They are the biggest source of funding to militants and the coal mafia- militant nexus was never a secret. Now the NGT has suddenly stepped in and killed the goose that was laying the golden eggs. HNLC survival is at stake. How the bandh is expected to influence NGT decision is again not clear but the panic and desperation behind the bandh call is obvious to one and all.
Yours etc.,
N S Rymbai,
Jowai
NGT ban and HNLC bandh!
Editor,
The recent order of the National Green Tribunal banning rat hole mining in Meghalaya has affected the business and income of all those directly or indirectly dealing in coal business. The calling of a bandh by HNLC to oppose the order of the-NGT exposes the nexus between this proscribed organization with the coal business in connivance with some coal businessmen ( either directly running the business or through extortion) and also exposes that the HNLC is one of the interested parties in this issue. I presume the revenue of HNLC has been badly affected by the non-operation of coal business. If this continues for some more time, they will have to find out some other means of earnings or else they will not be able to run the armed outfit, as maintaining an armed organization requires a lot of money. If this presumption has some truth in it then NGT ban on rat hole mining will be a blessing to our society where at least this part of Meghalaya will be free from threats and intimidation.
Yours etc.,
Robert RL Ryngkhlem
Shillong-14
Garo Hills normal?
Editor,
We were amused and disgusted by the statement of DGP, PJP Hanaman, (ST 25-06-14) who is reluctant to declare Garo Hills as ‘disturbed area’. Is he living in fool’s paradise? Being at the helm of affairs of maintaining law and order he must be blind or deaf (or both) if he thinks that frequent kidnappings/abductions and gunning down civilians is ‘okay’. This amounts to saying that ‘it’s quite normal to have civilians killed; to have frequent kidnappings for ransom – be it officials or businessmen’. If we leave our lives in the hands of officers of such mindsets then woe betide us! While he is ready to admit that the State is short on forces, he is satisfied that the police are doing a ‘good job’. Neither are we surprised that the Chief Minister is yet to give directions to enquire into the politico-militant nexus when he himself is in the eye of the storm regarding the matter. It is a fact that the Chief Minister himself hobnobs with the militants. He is ‘extremely’ close to Dilash Marak, Chairman of ANVC; both are seen frequenting private parties thrown by each other. Also, Rimpu Marak of ANVC (B) also frequently calls up the CM and appears to be under the protection of the police. How else would he escape raids in his house which are always done in his absence as stated by his ‘worried’ neighbours. It has been noticed by the neighbours that he (Rimpu) can move around freely in the neighbourhood when he is home. Both Dilash and Rimpu have palatial buildings but in Garo Hills all militants and extortionists are rich and powerful. Neither the legislators nor the police can touch them.
The President of the Garo Student’s Union (GSU) moves around in a swanky Scorpio with his designation ‘President GSU’ emblazoned on it. Is the Education Department listening? Does it not bother them that not only cars but a huge office building is coming up (God knows what more other unseen assets) – obviously from extortion money in the name of ‘Garo Students’. We, who are labouring day and night to eat two square meals a day and to send our children to affordable mediocre schools, are fed up of government apathy. Our only hope is that perhaps under the BJP rule at the centre we might look forward to sterner action against such blatant defiance of law. I am very sure that the DGP is aware of the number of extortion notes served on small businessmen, officers etc.in Garo Hills, both by underground and over-ground extortionists. Government is examining ‘all aspects before taking the final call’ – what rubbish! They are mute spectators while Garo Hills goes to the dogs!
Yours etc.,
Nikran Sangma, Dobasipara, Mikkim Marak, Sengme Ch. Sangma,
Danakgre, Tura