SHILLONG: Overcoming its regressive attitude, Meghalaya is slowly but surely transforming into a friendlier place thanks largely to the end of the bandh culture in the State.
From being a State where bandh and agitation was the order of the day, Meghalaya is now inching towards a positive environment and in the process attaining a positive environment essential for the development of the State.
As per official statistics, no bandh has been called in East Khasi Hills in the last 14 months, with the last such call being made on May 26-27 last year.
In 2013, bandh was called five times in the State by different groups including banned militant outfits in East Khasi Hills.
In 2014, however, bandh was called on four occasions by a banned militant outfit and other organisations.
Significantly till May 2015, a militant outfit called bandh on two occasions and there has been no such call made since June, 2015.
Incidentally, road blockades – which were called at the drop of a hat – have also become a thing of the past.
Police statistics reveal that in 2012, night road blockades were called on five occasions while in 2013, announcement of night road blockades saw a spurt with 13 such calls.
No doubt, the order of the High Court of Meghalaya which came down heavily against the bandh culture in the State last year has largely helped to put an end to such agitation calls. The High Court had, in an order, restrained the media from publicizing statements from organizations calling bandh, strike, bandh, road blockade and holding of rallies in the State.
Sharing her thoughts on the matter, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh observed that the present situation in Meghalaya shows that the community has become matured and people have become smarter.
“If there is a problem, people find the correct platform to address their concerns,” she said.
Ampareen also believed that in the last couple of years, students have been performing better as they know that there will be no disruptions and people are assured that there will be no more untoward incidents.
“The fact that there are no more bandhs is a good thing from the law and order point of view and now a good image about the State is being imprinted in the minds of the tourists,” observed East Khasi Hills SP M. Kharkrang.
According to Kharkrang, daily wage earners who compromise the bulk of the population are not affected anymore due to the end of the bandh culture.
KSU president Daniel Khyriem said the State government in the last few years has actively engaged with pressure groups on the issues concerning the State and decisions are about to be implemented.
“So far so good. With this trend many unwanted decisions have been avoided,” Khyriem said.
Stating that the government has been able to address certain issues, Khyriem, however, said the government should not be complacent and it has to seriously address all the issues to ensure that the demands and aspirations of the people are met.
On the other hand, FKJGP president Joe Marwein said the pressure groups, at times, are forced to apply pressure on the government if the issues concerning the State are not addressed properly.
“When a committee of the government recommends for Inner Line Permit and then the government is reluctant to implement the recommendation then such behaviour of the government forces us to put pressure,” he said.
Entrepreneur Mark Laitflang Stone said bandhs added to the perception that Meghalaya was unsafe and unwelcoming to professional and private enterprises even as he added that for entrepreneurs who are just starting out, closure of business for a day amounts to loss of revenue and reputation with clients, especially for those in the services sector.
“The environment in Shillong seems to have mellowed down in recent years and small businesses are now concerned more with growth and expansion and not with when to close,” he added.
CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing had a different take on the matter, saying that if people themselves cooperate it cannot be termed as a bandh as it is their prerogative to either support or reject the bandh.
Putting fear in the minds of people cannot be tolerated but seeking support of people is not a wrong thing, she added.
“In fact there are many government employees who are longing for a bandh so that they can sit at home,” Kharshiing said.
She also said that putting a restriction on media to write certain information is also a bandh in a democratic setup. “Let people decide what is right and wrong,” Kharshiing added.
When contacted, a city hotelier admitted that tourist flow had tremendously increased in Shillong and tourists are now doing advance bookings for hotels since they know that there are no bandhs in Shillong.
“I hope the situation remains like this forever for the benefit of everyone,” the hotelier said.
Echoing similar views, a woman who runs a footpath shop said it is the common people and the State which suffer during bandhs. “Everyone can take care of their livelihood if there is no bandh,” she added.
