Editor,
On March 17, the NGOs and church bodies prayed for peace and appealed to the GNLA to lift the indefinite bandh called by the outfit in Ampati the Chief Minister’s constituency. The GNLA turned a deaf ear to those pleas and the bandh continues. What does this tell us? Militancy is not going to abate because a few good people have got together to pray. In fact it seems to me that praying is the easiest things to do because after people have said a few prayers they go back home feeling they have done something. But more than prayers are needed in Garo Hills because as someone on social media had recently mentioned, “Faith without good works is dead.” Those who pray in faith cannot be afraid. Fear is a sign that we do not have enough faith in the one we pray to. Hence we do not dare to venture into Ampati to make a call to the people there that we should defy the bandh and if need be have a dialogue with the militants. They are our own people and if we cannot talk to them then there is something terribly wrong in our social relations. Or have the social ties in Garo society and community broken down beyond repair?
The Church groups and NGOs have asked the Chief Minister to negotiate with the GNLA. Is this the best option out of the crises? The CM represents the state. How does the state negotiate with people who have no locus standi, do not represent civil society and are trigger happy? The GNLA must stand trial for all the crimes it has committed. It is bad enough that the ANVC and ANVC (B) have got away with murder. And if the trend is to negotiate with all terrorist outfits then it will not be long before Meghalaya turns into another killing field where militant outfits will spring up, begin extortion and kill to achieve their goals and later on make a pretence of surrendering. This could lead to a very dangerous precedence. To my mind it appears that the church groups and NGOs in Garo Hills are naïve and lack a political understanding of the situation. They want peace but without any sacrifice. They do not even have the mental courage to stand for what they believe in. If they don’t stand up now, a time will come when they would lose more ground to militant outfits. While fighting militancy it is important to win back the territories under the command and control of the militants. “Take back the night,” is the slogan that feminists use to claim their right to walk free and to feel safe at night. “Take back the day and night and our right to mobility,” should be the slogan of the people of Ampati. But they need a leader or leaders to hold their hands. Where is that leader?
Yours etc.,
W K Momin,
Via email
Venality by men in uniform
Editor,
If the state government is serious about promoting tourism to the world, it should first start by cleaning up all forms of extortion by policemen. This affects the image of the Government and makes it appear as if Meghalaya there is not even a semblance of governance. The daylight robbery by policemen manning so called check gates reflects very poorly on the professionalism and discipline of the force. It is utterly disgraceful to listen to tourists passing remarks while travelling along the highway and it is also embarrassing for us the locals as it appears as if we are a state of bandits and thugs. This extortion can be seen by all at Lad Rymbai, Khliehriat, Jowai, Umling and many other places. Let us not make excuses and say that this system prevails in every part of India. It is time to set a good example of welcoming people with a smile rather with open palms.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
KHADC drama
Editor,
Members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council have made a mockery of the trust reposed on them by the people. The leadership tussle of course has been a persistent curse. What can anyone expect from a group of 30 people whose only ambition is to be in power at any cost? The KHADC has indeed lost its moorings and it is high time that the Khasi society seriously debates on whether it still needs this institution to look after its concerns. As it is, the KHADC has done nothing to curb the greed for land by the Khasi elite. It has not even suggested that a cadastral survey be carried out to ascertain the boundaries and territories of Meghalaya. It is also a fact that the contentious borders with Assam are all within the purview of the KHADC and it has not even attempted to resolve the border issues. On the contrary they are busy talking of non -issues and of course their one-point agenda is to utilise their office for generating funds to run their over-staffed establishment. Time to do away with this superfluous institution!
Yours etc.,
Khrawbok Jyrwa,
Shillong- 8