Editor,
The arrest warrants against Auguster Jyrwa and Joe Marwein although late, is a step in the right direction. Most people were beginning to think that pressure groups would continue to cock a snook at the Government and get away with it all over again. But slapping a mere Rs 31 crore lawsuit for property damage is not enough. What about the killings and terror which was unleashed on citizens by KSU, FKJGP, HNYF, RBYF, CSWO and others? Who will pay for that, and how? Is Govt. sending a message that it is alright to murder non-tribals but not alright to cause property damage? The politicians appear to have struck a deal with pressure groups not to bring murder charges against them in exchange for toning down protests. This policy of surrendering to criminals and extremists is a shameful, historical fact. Now Mukul Sangma is doing it again, making ‘deals with extremist murderers in Garo Hills and equally murderous pressure group leaders in Shillong. Not a single statement has escaped Chief Minister Sangma’s lips about bringing killers to justice. All he can talk about is surrenders and rehabilitation of murderers. One would also like to know why Daniel Khyriem has not been booked for murder and incitement to racial violence along with Jyrwa and Marwein? Can the Chief Minister explain the reason for Khyriem’s ‘untouchable’ status despite being KSU President then and now?
Yours etc.,
Robert Kharkamni
Shillong -1
Many positives of NGT ban
Editor,
It is heartening to see so many people come out to support the NGT ban on coal mining for different reasons. Several points of views have been put forward which touches upon issues like environmental degradation, safety, lawlessness, loss of livelihood, political conspiracies, etc. But I am surprised that so far no one has highlighted one of the biggest positives of the NGT ban which is staring us in the face. This is the sudden and complete halt of illegal migration by Bangladeshi and Nepali nationals to the State. This accounts for almost 90% of illegal immigration in the entire state! In fact a reverse migration has now taken place, with illegal migrants abandoning coal mines for greener pastures outside the State. I was sure someone, at least a pressure group like KSU or CSWO would have highlighted NGT’s grand success in solving the unsolvable. That too, without invoking antediluvian and draconian laws like ILP! We must give credit to NGT for solving the problem of illegal migration in a masterstroke, something which neither pressure groups nor Government was able to do for 40 years! Isn’t this something to be applauded? Why are pressure groups reluctant to acknowledge this fact? When they should be shouting “Bravo NGT” from the rooftops, they are strangely silent. I wonder why.
The other big positive of the NGT ban is the abolition of child labour from the coal mines. For too long, politicians and bureaucrats have looked the other way whenever the issue of child labour is brought up. Most organs of civil society refused to acknowledge the problem openly. A Tehelka expose titled “Half life of the Coal Child” published pictures and interviews with child labourers in coal pits which made no impact on our collective conscience. The report made specific mention of child labourers as young as 5 years old working in coal mines owned by MP Vincent Pala’s family. This expose never made it to the local papers and was given a quiet burial by the Government. The report is still available in Tehelka’s archives for anyone interested in having a peek at it.
All in all, the NGT ban really has been a blessing in every way, as several people have stated. The pros far outweigh the cons whichever way we look at it.
Yours etc.,
Keith Ranee
Shillong -4
Time to take responsibility
Editor,
The so called “Trai Ri Trai Muluk”(indigenous tribals), care not for their lands or people nor for their own “Ri”(homeland) except for whether or not their pockets are filled. They say that the land is given to them by their ancestors. To be factual, realistic, smart and honest is to realize that the land they own is in fact borrowed from future generations. Most of the NGT members are not “Trai Ri-Trai Muluk” yet they care about our land. It seems that everyone is against the NGT ban on mining- the Government, the rebels, the militant outfits (HNLC) and, not much to our surprise, the high ranking people in our Government too. We will all be questioned by the future generation on what we did to save the environment. I want to look them in the eye and say we did something. But enough of complaints! Instead let us do the following: (a) Schools should have their own school buses so as to reduce noise pollution and air pollution (b) We could also, once a week (on a working day), do away with automobiles. We could get about our daily life and get around on our bikes (cycles) or even better by walking.
We’ve got our own State since 1972, so how about all of us taking responsibility to do something for it. I am sure that I am not a lone voice here but I do hope this reaches the topmost person in the Government. The government can and should do something too!
Yours etc.,
Y. Lyngdoh
Class XII
Government Boys’ HSS