Editor,
The reported statement of Khliehriat MLA and Cabinet MDA Minister, Kyrmen Shylla that there is no illegal mining of coal in the Khliehriat area is definitely news to most of us. The 3- member NGT team enquiring into the matter on the other hand seems to have divergent views, or should I say findings. They have literally found a smoking gun; freshly dug coal and heaps of it together with well maintained lubricated earth moving machines and regular seizure of illegally transported coal, does seem to clinch the universal belief that open defiance of the NGT ban on coal mining and transport is a common defiant practice in East Jaintia Hills. Whether the Minister is a coal miner or not is something this writer has no knowledge of but his apparent ignorance of what takes place in his own backyard is pathetic, to say the least.
Doubts were also raised by the Minister over the existence of a coal mafia. For the general information of all concerned, a mafia is a criminal organisation that makes money illegally, especially through threats, intimidation and violence. Violation of the NGT ban is illegal and money was certainly being made through this illegal activity in an organised way. Persons and individuals raising their voices over such activities have been intimidated and threatened. We cannot deny this. Others like Kong Agnes Kharshing who was brutally attacked and critically injured; the Police officer Bah Marbaniang, who lost his life in Ri Bhoi district for stopping illegal transportation of coal; the activist Bah Majaw murdered because he sniffed to close to the illegal coal mining activities in EJHs; all of the above and maybe unknown others are victims of an organisation indulging in illegal mining of coal. There can be no doubt of the existence of a coal mafia however vehement the denials might be.
We all acknowledge the existence of a livelihood crisis due to the NGT ban on coal mining. The fact remains however that the Govt, this one and the one before it, have failed to come up with alternate relief livelihood proposals to lighten the burden of the common man in the coal mining areas. It’s not that options don’t exist. It’s just that we have not been serious about the problem. Perhaps because of the fact that the problem is a political cow that can still be milked for votes! In the meanwhile statements by Cabinet Ministers that hint at Government’s willingness to connive with the illegal activities arising out of the NGT ban, can only add to the complexity of the problem. The creditability of this MDA Govt will depend on how it demonstrates its willingness and seriousness to confront the growing crime rate arising out of illegal coal mining. An early effort to apprehend and arrest the attackers on Kong Agnes will perhaps be an assuring step towards such seriousness of the Government.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Harness the Youth Power
Editor,
In the past Meghalaya experienced violence, fighting and bloodshed amongst various communities due to the differences in culture, religion, language etc. This has affected development in the state and especially the young people who have dreams to be successful in life. The violence had led us to nowhere. Let us focus our interest to another way of looking at things which is by respecting differences and allowing unity to be the stronghold of our beautiful society. The time is too short for communal disharmony which is the result of differences amongst communities.
Let us love our own Jaitbynriew and promote each other’s progress, happiness and development and simultaneously let us not spread hatred, extreme dislike of others who love their own communities. Just as we have the right to love our own community, they too have the right to do so. Very often we talk about the Jaitbynriew as “ka ban sa duh jait noh” (A community which will disappeared soon), and “ka ban sa long ki nong rah um jong no re jong no” (A community which will be carrying water for others). These sayings are a slavish way of thinking. Such sayings dwell only in the minds of the weak, not the strong. I say to you my young friends, these pessimistic thoughts have engaged the minds of many of our young people. Let us revolutionize our thoughts and look at Jaitbynriew from the positive perspective.
It is necessary to stop speaking negative things about the Jaitbynriew. The time is still there for us to be constructive for ourselves and the society. Do not tolerate others who poison our minds. We cannot change the circumstances and the situations; perhaps we can change our own minds. It is a must for young people to put all our hard work, effort, strength and energy to unlock our own potentials. The young people of the state have their own inner potentials and capacity to widen and develop themselves. We are born with different talents and gifts that our creator has given us. There are no problems too big for us to find a solution. Time is so precious, let us discover the champion, the greatness, the lion in each one of us.
We should not permit excuses to smash up, spoil and mess up our lives. Yes we know that our state lacks opportunities. The government is sitting idle, and our leaders are only active for themselves. We should change our mindsets and tell ourselves we are not the victims of the system and that we can be victors. I strongly believe that every young person has a dream and a goal to be successful in life. So let us not give up easily on the problems we are facing. These are temporary setbacks. If we are strong, courageous and daring there will be a time when we will become winners in whatever we do. We cannot change society but we can change our perspectives of looking at it differently.
Yours etc.
Batskhem Mawlein
Shillong-2