Editor,
I might not understand politics as it is being played out in Meghalaya but as a citizen who is concerned about the future of this bleak region of ours – Garo Hills – I wish to pen my thoughts. I believe we had voted for those who promised to change the situation for the better but this is not happening. I am worried about the present situation of Garo Hills; the killing spree by militants in the region yet again. Four policemen lost their lives and that was not even an encounter. This word ‘ encounter’ or rather ‘ A Fake Encounter’ has been made famous by self appointed social activist Agnes Kharshing. Well, this time it was a real encounter and the lives of four policemen have gone but Ii am just waiting for Agnes Kharshiing to come out from her cocoon and talk about justice and human rights for these four deceased cops since she claims to be a Human Rights activist. When a militant is killed , she always terms it a ‘fake encounter’. Why do I get the feeling that she is always in favour of everything wrong and always against everything right? I don’t know what she has against the police department. I just hope that it is nothing personal. Garo Hills is suffering and when policemen are involved in containing crime they are looked down upon by the social activists and the general public. I believe people’s cooperation and unity is a must at this hour. Let the police do their duty and we do ours. Let them carry out their duties of protecting civilians like us while we remain united. I would like to remind my fellow citizens of what happened in Dimapur, Nagaland recently. The lynching of a supposed rapist and its consequences are horrific ! What if we are united and lynch any militant who has killed or terrorised the public like what the Nagas did in Dimapur? Just imagine, militants who have brutally murdered people are allowed to come over ground and will be given a second chance by the Government to restart their lives! What happens to the family of the deceased then? Is it fair on them? Are their lives not important? Will the relatives get back the lives of their beloved husbands, sisters, fathers, mothers, wives back? When militants are given a second chance, can the Government give back the lives of those killed to their family members who have lost their dear ones? Why is the Government so lenient on the militants? The ANVC and the ANVC (B) have come over ground and have been pardoned in spite of the number of killings they have committed in their heydays. The lives of those people they have killed is history now. My point is that a time might come in Garo Hills when people will start lynching the militants since the Government is showing such leniency to them. That would be the only alternative for the common people to eradicate militancy from the region.
Yours etc.,
Anandi Gabil Momin,
Madras Christian College,
Via email
Ground water drilling
Editor,
In a State like Meghalaya where people are in constant search of sufficient drinking water resulting in rapid commercialization of drinking water sources, people have no option but to find their own solutions. At best, people will look at the traditional ways of getting water by looking at the sources provided by the hills and rivers/brooks. Our ancestors respected the rains which is noticed in their rituals and dances before and after harvesting. Others have taken the easy way out which is by drilling ground water without knowing the negative impact of it on health and the environment. The scientific term for such kind of drilling is “fracking,. A term also used for drilling of gas and oil. The only difference is that in drilling of water one does not have to go up to one thousand feet as it is possible to strike water at 200-300 feet . My concern here is not on comparing oil and gas exploration with ground water exploration/absorption. My main concern is on the negative impact of drilling of any kind. We are all aware that Shillong in particular and Meghalaya in general is an earthquake prone area which could experience a major earthquake any time soon as predicted by seismologists. The predictions are pretty much certain when one looks at the history of Meghalaya where a major earthquake took place in 1887. That time only thousands of people lost their lives and property. However, if such an earthquake occurs again in this generation, it will surely be catastrophic and the losses immeasurable. Drilling will disturb nature’s tranquility underneath and induce seismic events. Another negative impact through drilling is the release of pollutants in the air. These pollutants include: Benzene, toluene, xylene and ethyl benzene (BTEX), particulate matter and dust, ground level ozone, or smog, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and metals contained in diesel fuel combustion – with exposure to these pollutants known to cause short-term illness, cancer, organ damage, nervous system disorders and birth defects or even death. The list of negative impact through drilling are endless.
Drilling in and around Shillong has been banned for now by the district administration and some durbar Shnong. However drilling continues unabated in some areas with no regard for the environment and the health of the people. Nongkseh Madan in Third Mile, Upper Shillong is one such locality where rampant drilling takes place. It’s really an eyesore when one passes through this locality. More than ten households have drilled ground water and many more households have negotiated and further initiated drilling activities. It is a dangerous trend indeed when the authorities such as the dorbar shnong and the Rangbah Shnong turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to this. Is it because of ignorance? I wonder. Can the MLA not take the initiative to provide drinking water to every household? Is this not the reason why he is elected? People are looking at an easy way out of their problem instead of insisting on the dorbar Shnong to solve their water problems. I hope the relevant authorities take note of this and ban drilling of underground water in this locality as well. The government authorities should also punish those who have drilled and the authorities that have given such permission. If drilling water is not stopped forthwith then we are going to face dire consequences from nature.
Yours etc.,
A concerned resident,
Third mile, Upper Shillong