MEGHALAYA seems destined to be held captive by sundry groups who have contributed to its negative economic growth. It is observed that when a weak Government is on the saddle, different trouble makers flex their muscles and dictate terms to the Government and public. On August 6, life had come to a halt because of the bandh called by the conglomerate of coal mine owners and traders against the NGT ban on coal mining. Now the HNLC, a militant group who we believe is a spent force is calling a 2 day bandh to coincide with Independence Day. A Government that has the support of the public is in a better position to address threats to democracy posed by the few over the many. But the HNLC have recently claimed that there are politicians who support the outfit financially. This claim should have sparked a public debate but there has been complete silence. Not a single politician has denied the HNLC claim. The situation here is a bit complex. On the one hand the police have been arresting members of the HNLC and its over-ground workers/supporters. But if the HNLC gets its oxygen from politicians then isn’t there a clash of interests? And isn’t this a situation of complete anarchy?
On the part of the public, it is time now to decide whether they want to claim their freedom or to cede their democratic spaces. Looking to the Government for anything at all is futile. Here is a Government that is ridden with dissension and is unable to think coherently as a collective about how to tackle the most pressing problem of the state – militancy and lawlessness. The clamour for leadership change is taking a communal turn with most leaders demanding the change of leadership coming from one community. Aiding and abetting this move is the Shillong MP who wants his pound of flesh for the treatment meted out to him before and during the MP election. Not to be left behind is the NPP supremo who has now missed the bus and is out of the Modi regime. He has time on his hands to foment trouble in the State and also get his own revenge over the common enemy – Mukul Sangma, the State’s Chief Minister.
While politicians squabble, the people are in a dilemma. It is time now for concerned citizens to call the bluff of politicians with vested interests and take on the militant outfits with sheer ‘people power.’ People can no longer take refuge in the safety of their homes each time a bandh is called. Each time they remain indoors during a bandh they are strengthening the disruptive elements and thereby sacrificing their freedom and dignity at the feet of self-serving politicians and anti-state forces.
