Editor,
The news that 68 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) including the latest recovered from Williamnagar school is a cause for concern for law enforcement officials and civilians. IEDs have been in use at least since World War II and are weapons of choice for groups such the Irish Republic Army (IRA), Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Medellin cartel in Colombia etc. IEDs range from homemade explosives (e.g., commonly available fertilizers) to military ordinance (artillery rounds). Crude and readily available materials are turned into weapons of destruction. A 110 pound bag of ammonium nitrate costs $160 in Afghanistan and the same size bag of potassium chlorate goes for $48. The IEDs seized in Garo Hills led the police to launch a series of operations within the Durama Hills to sanitize more bombing cells. Most of the IEDs are being planted on footpaths which are mainly frequented by innocent civilians. According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), ‘Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: Mid-year Report 2014′, IEDs are often imprecise weapons which can have a large blast radius with impacts far beyond the central target. When IEDs are used in populated areas such as markets and public roads, the collateral damage in terms of civilian casualties can be significant. So who is to blame? The recovery of IEDs in East Garo Hills is also causing worry for Assam since the state is headed for elections soon. Director General of Assam police Mukesh Sahay said that both the Assam and Meghalaya police are working closely to tackle militancy as militants’ might disrupt polls in Assam. Top sources within the police establishment will not rule out a possibility of alliance between GNLA and United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) ULFA-I on facilitating bomb making capabilities to the GNLA. General Joseph Votel, former head of the Pentagon’s Joint IED Task Force and presently the commander of US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) once noted that commanders should focus less on the bomb and more on the bomb-maker. The Meghalaya Police and Special Operations Teams (SOT) should be commended for their ability to swoop down on these notorious target networks. Communicating and informing the ‘POPULATION’ should be a common task of every operator in the field. People are the decisive terrain. It is high time to seek out and eliminate those who threaten non-combatants. We cannot allow militants to intimidate the innocent.
Yours etc.,
Christopher Gatphoh,
Shillong-14
Rangbah-Wake up !
Editor,
I must congratulate the author of the article, “Trapped by anxieties of Impotence” ( ST Feb 12, 2016) for calling a spade a spade. In this generation no one can hide the hard fact that in every family and community be it in the towns or in the villages those good old value systems and practices have dwindled. We have left behind the glorious past, due to the demands of the present day. Indeed people have to change their lifestyles, food habits clothing, speech etc. to adapt to the present situation whether at home or at the work place, in schools, colleges etc. Even people of the orthodox tribal families have now started to change the food habits, wear non-traditional dresses on various occasions and situations. I find many leaders who profess for maintenance of tradition do so only in public, to attract public attention or to gain some points. This is double standard ( leh arsap) whereas in their very households their entire families practice otherwise. They are more western than the Americans. Yes westernization is not a bad thing provided one works hard and is innovative and progressive but shuns the bad habits of the Americans. Therefore, I wish to point out here that we should not cling to the tradition that hinders development and create mental block for ourselves and others. We should throw tradition to the dustbins if they do not serve the purpose of development. Let us strive to uplift our societv in all aspects of life so we can be at par with the rest of the world.
Yours etc.,
Banshan Pyngrope,
Shillong -2
Nehru’s Shillong visit
Editor,
I used to go to Pine Mount School about 60 years ago. I remember representing the school when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited and singing the National Anthem to him. Quite an achievement for an English girl! I am almost sure it happened at the Football stadium, and am interested to confirm this. I have made contacts with the school and am thrilled to say that the uniform is the same, and the school hasn’t outwardly changed. I am 76 at the moment, and these old memories are haunting me. I have spent most of my life in Africa.
Yours etc.,
Ann Humphreys
Via email