By Albert Thyrniang
“Lifting the veil off Garo Hills conundrum” that appeared in “The Shillong Times” on November 12, 2015 tells us that militants in Garo Hills have links with persons that matter – politicians, bureaucrats and even with the police. This is the crux of the insurgency menace in Garo Hills. This is ‘the’ reason why militants are not only surviving but thriving. This is the main reason why outlaw gunmen have not been defeated. The finding is scary but true. Even the affected Chokpot BDO, Jude Sangma did not issue any denial.
The story says that truth behind the BDO kidnap was that the MCS officer had a clandestine deal with Sacheng, a GNLA commander in the Chokpot area. The BDO would allot developmental contracts to Sacheng R Marak’s men. In turn Sacheng promised safety for the BDO in the territory. So the perceived brave BDO refused police security even in militant infested areas. However, the secret pact went horribly wrong. The BDO could not please another GNLA area commander, Hedeo Ch Momin. He denied contract works to contractors close to Hadeo thus inviting the wrath of the latter.
The general public believes to be a fact the nexus between politicians and militants. Clinching instances can be cited. Last year in January the then ANVC-B Political Secretary, Ajaju R Marak sensationally divulged the link the Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma had with the outfit. The group’s officer disclosed that cadres had ensured victory of the Congress in the 2013 election and post-election garnered support of all Garo MLAs for the Chief Minister paving the way for his return to power. Mysteriously Ajaju was gunned down by the police in an encounter, purportedly by orders from the higher ups to prevent further spilling of beans. An enquiry was instituted but the case is conveniently forgotten. In August the General Secretary underground organization, Rangra Jagring S Marak reiterated the outfit’s unholy nexus with the Chief Minister claiming his organization was responsible for installation of the Chief Minister for a record second time. The ‘Commander-in-Chief’ of the Rimpu N Marak led splinter group, Mukost Marak further embarrassed the CM declaring that the nexus was between the CM and the parent organization, ANVC.
The next high profile politician to face allegations of link with militants is the Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak. An FIR was filed against her following a complaint by Jonathon N Sangma, that Marak took support from militants to triumph in the 2013 election. The police charge-sheeted her and subsequently the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in East Garo Hills summoned the minister in August last. The Social Welfare Minister had to appear in court in Williamnagar over her alleged connection with the GNLA.
Opposition parties protested and demanded for a CBI inquiry and half-heartedly reached the national capital but had to back track as politico-militant cosiness cuts across political parties. Politicians have fought elections banking on militants’ blessings. At least this is the overwhelming public perception in Garo Hills. To clear the air a credible investigation is a must but for obvious reasons no CBI/NIA probe will ever take place.
There are no allegations against PA Sangma, but the veteran used the law and order issue to his advantage in last year’s parliamentary election. The former Lok Sabha Speaker blamed the state government for militancy in Garo Hills. Though knowing fully well that law and order is a state subject, yet the MP promised to bring normalcy in his constituency if people voted for him. He even made assurance that he would take up the demand for Garo Hills statehood to presumably strike a chord with militants who outwardly fight for the same cause. He also knows that militancy will not necessarily end with statehood.
Militancy has survived in this tiny terrain with support of the political class. So the politico-militant nexus is not new. However, the Chokpot BDO’s abduction episode has revealed that bureaucrats too are hands in glove with the outlawed. This has serious implications. It means rebels end up being beneficiaries of government developmental projects. Public money ends up in wrong hands. Government’s money is used for anti-government and anti-state activities. Government’s money is used to purchase guns and ammunitions to fight against the government itself. Militants amass wealth from the tax payers’ money.
The nexus does not end here. Some police and security personnel certainly have understanding with proscribed gun toting men. The abduction of the young officer of the Intelligence Bureau, Vikash Kumar Singh, in September raised doubts. A Shillong based NGO even suspected that it was an inside job. The intelligence official knew a thing or two about inter-border illegal trade. Before the officer could reach the higher authorities the kidnap and the subsequent murders were arranged. It is also alleged that insiders provided information to the kidnappers about the movement of constable Khomraj Bhattarai, who remains untraced till date. It is well known that police personnel have relatives in the different militant groups. It is against human feeling to see one’s kith and kin dead. So information is passed on to friends and relatives before operation. High ranking officers readily confess that all cannot be trusted in the force.
THE ARMED FORCES (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) deserves a mention. The 1972 amended law was recommended to be imposed in the Garo Hills by the Meghalaya High Court while hearing a case related to bandh calls in Garo Hills. It sounds strange that the judiciary should recommend the imposition of the so-called draconian law. However, one can sense the anguish of the Court. The Court might have felt that short of bringing in AFSPA the situation in Garo Hills will not improve. It is a slap on the face of the Government and Police.
No sooner had the court’s recommendation disseminated when protests against its imposition broke out. Rally after rally was organized throughout Garo Hills by NGOs. They point to the fact that the army has not ended rebellion in places where it operates under AFSPA. This might be true but the irony is that if the army pulls out of those places the situation will be worse. NGOs argue that the law gives sweeping powers to the armed forces without accountability. This would lead to undue harassment of the innocent public. Their point is valid. But innocent poor people, especially in villages, have been facing untold harassment, threats and extortion from militants for a very long time. Very few NGOs have vehemently spoken up for them. Even brutal and cold blooded murders of civilians and security men have met with negligible condemnation leave alone rallies and protests. Not even the chilling, barbaric, gruesome, ghastly, cowardly, inhuman murder of Josbina Sangma in Chokpot evoked hard hitting condemnation and widespread protests. The peace rallies are mainly to urge militants to rejoin the ‘mainstream’ and government to receive back the prodigal children with open arms.
Both the Central and State Government gave in to the pressure of the NGOs. Military action can’t bring a solution to insurgency is the convergent view. Even the Union Minister for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, who earlier had viewed the situation in Garo Hills as disturbing had to take back his words.
Shaken by the High Court’s observation, the police made added efforts against militants resulting in a spurt of surrenders including the top leader of AMEF. A couple of hard core cadres were killed. Arrests were made. One of the arrested was the close aide of the feared GNLA boss, Sohan D Shira who revealed to the police that Sohan has amassed huge wealth and invested his ill-gotten cash in rubber plantation and fisheries. Cash is with his relatives. This is no new revelation. Everyone knows that militant leaders, both active and surrendered have amassed wealth and assets. However, they are not alone in this business. Politicians, bureaucrats and police officers have done it before militants. The genesis of militancy may well be corruption in the system. Do not palatial buildings, properties and assets of the aforementioned, inside and outside the state show disproportionate earning through corrupt means? Banks accounts are in the name of spouses and children. There is a lot in common among militants, politicians, bureaucrats and some in the police. This is bad news for Garo Hills. The whole system is criminalized.
