Editor,
The manner is which the State Govt has gone about tackling insurgency in the Garo Hills with its no-questions-asked-cash-for-surrender policy is a recipe for disaster in the years to come. Leave aside the social, moral and judicial implications of effecting a mass surrender by subverting the law, the State Govt. is now being bombarded with surrender ‘demands’ by various ‘militant’ factions who also want their share of the pie. Even the HNLC, reduced to an army of one (the phantom-like Sainkupar Nongtraw of Facebook fame) has caught the scent of money and demands to ‘surrender’ immediately (what a joke!). In other words, all murderers, kidnappers, robbers, extortionists – the filth and scum of society – are standing in line for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Hardened Criminals! It is also apparent that the opposition BJP is in a race with the State Govt for procuring the services of these upstanding citizens to bolster its ranks. This is evident from the sudden spurt in BJP enrollment activity and noises of support for genocidal militants in Garo Hills. The State is countering BJP’s maneuvers with its cash-for-surrender lure and promise of resettlement to all militant groups. A social disaster is in the making from which Garo Hills and indeed all Meghalaya, will not recover for decades to come. In a single master stroke, the glib-tongued Mukul Sangma has ensured the continuance of his own political saga with a large mercenary army at his command. The lives and opinions of ordinary citizens matter not a whit to this hustling dream-merchant of a politician lusting after power and money. Sangma prefers to close his eyes to the fact that insurgency has gone up instead of receding, after the Roshan Warjri resignation soap opera and ANVC surrender drama. The massacre of policemen, kidnappings and murder of ordinary citizens proves that the issue is very much alive and kicking, despite Govt claims to the contrary.
Yours etc.,
Maxwell Lyngdoh
Shillong-4
Policeman also a human being!
Editor,
Every alternative week we read about the raging insurgency in Garo Hills. It is distressing that policemen especially at the lower and mid level rank are targets of GNLA, ULFA and other mushrooming outfits. It is outrageous too that politics take centre stage every time precious human life is lost. One is sad to see the families of policemen suffer the trauma of losing a loved one and a bread winner. How much can the higher authorities who manage such operations from a control room understand the real problems? It is like letting the pawns do the spade work while the laurels are taken by someone else! Unlike other policemen deployed in ‘ soft ‘ areas those engaged in protecting innocent lives risk their own, little knowing that a political nexus exists. Civil society activists should not only see one side of the ‘bad’ story but also appreciate how policing and upkeep of the law is maintained. Perhaps they should condemn in unison when lives of policemen are lost in the battle against insurgency. After all every life is equal in the eyes of the Creator!
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
Musings on ADCs
Editor,
On March 21st I visited Mawkyrwat, presently the headquarters of the newly created district of South West Khasi Hills. It was a weekly market day I was reminded of the place I used to frequent as a kid some thirty years ago. Nothing has changed. It has in fact become worse. The congestion and poor sanitation stand out. The roads in and around the town were quietly done three decades ago. Obviously, there have not been any repairs since then. Pathetic, miserable and deplorable are mild words to describe the condition of the roads there.
The talk of the town was of course, the switching of loyalty of the local MDC, Mr Hadrian Lyngdoh to the Congress. Most supporters appeared disgusted with the ‘betrayal’ of their leader. Many openly viewed that the teacher turned politician did it for money. Ideology and conviction are long forgotten. They were vocal that Lyngdoh has broken the oath he took (along with ‘Ri Lum’ MDCs) before the Soso Tham statue in the State Central Library. He has made a mockery of it.
While waiting for the vehicle to depart I listened to a pastor preaching through the loud speakers. In the bustle and hustle of a market place, with hardly anyone lending his ears, the preacher said something connected with my point. Those who break promises will not be saved, he proclaimed. Whether the reference is to Mr Hadrian Lyngdoh and other MDCs in the KHADC who are clamouring for power and money is anyone’s guess.
On my way home my fellow passengers informed that there was a Congress meeting in the District Congress Bhavan. The Deputy Chief Minister and Congress MLA, Rowel Lyngdoh had come to brief his supporters that Hadrian Lyngdoh would be received into the party on March 28. There was enthusiasm in the conversation but I made a caustic comment that even if the number of Congress supporters increase, the poor road conditions in Mawkyrwat constituency are unlikely to improve. Thereafter, there was silence for the rest of the journey.
The power struggle in the KHADC is disgusting to say the least. The frequent change of CEMs and other executive members warrant that ADCs must come under the anti-defection law. The State Government, which often has a hand in instability of ADCs, does not want the application of anti-defection law to ADCs. Everyone plays games with peoples’ aspirations.
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang
Mendal, North Garo Hills