Editor,
The CBI is an independent investigation agency or that is what it is supposed to be. Hence the two RTI activists, Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma who almost lost their lives in an attack by a mob owing allegiance to the coal lobby in East Jaintia Hills, have a legitimate claim to demand for a CBI enquiry. Both the activists know far too much about the politics of collusion in this whole episode and do not have faith in the State Police or in the present government, especially since the main accused is a member of the NPP which is ruling the state today. When the NPP supremo, WR Kharlukhi was asked what action is contemplated against Nidamon Chulet the NPP leader from East Jaintia Hills, he ducked responsibility saying that only Home Minister, James Sangma could answer the question. The NPP has not left any doubts about wanting the coal ban to be lifted. This was the plank on which the Party won its seats in Jaintia Hills. It is therefore committed to deliver on its promise. But since the coal ban is not yet lifted the NPP would not like to disturb the illegal mining and transportation of coal and would even facilitate this process. If there is a CBI enquiry into the Agnes Kharshiing assault case, it is anybody’s guess who all will be caught in the web. Hence the antipathy towards the CBI.
The Deputy CM, Prestone Tynsong’s statement is even more bizarre. He repeatedly points to the previous Mukul Sangma government for allowing illegal coal mining and transportation of coal to carry on despite the ban. This of course is true. All governments are beholden to the coal lobby and the former chief minister, Mukul Sangma’s wife owned coal mines. But the reason that people dumped the Congress Government and voted the NPP was because they wanted change. Mr Tynsong seems to imply that if the previous government indulged in wrongdoing, then the present government too can repeat those wrongs. Then what is the difference between the Congress and the NPP? And why is Nidamon Chulet still absconding? Why can’t a red corner notice be put up against him because for all we know he might have escaped to a foreign country like Bangladesh or Thailand? But is the NPP really serious about getting to the root of the assault? Interestingly, the police have concocted a story about RTI activist Poipynhun Majaw who was killed in March this year, being involved in some illegal deal. When a person is unable to defend himself this canard is easy to concoct so that the case is closed. Meghalaya is heading towards a dangerous regime. And crime under this government is certainly on the rise.
Yours etc.,
Ashton Nongkhlaw,
Via email
Demand for Garoland state
Editor,
Apropos the news item “Garoland group demand statehood panel from centre” (ST Dec.6, 2018) it appears that the Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) under the Chairmanship of Nikman Ch. Marak seems to be quite serious and committed in its fight for a Garoland State. The show of solidarity in this fight for separate statehood by nearly 400 Garos coming from many parts of Garo Hills and dressed in indigenous attire in Shillong, for the first time in the life of the movement, was indeed impressive. Raising of slogans by the organised crowd like, “We want Garoland State. No state, No rest. We want Garoland,” rent the air of Shillong for the first time and the movement of this crowd around the Additional Secretariat parking lot was really impressive indeed. We do not know for how long this Committee will be able to sustain the fight for Garoland state because we are sure that it will be a long haul before its demand is heard and answered. It will take many more processions and prolonged agitations for the Centre to accede to the demand. The demonstration in Shillong and in Tura alone will not be sufficient. It requires much more than this to get Garoland State. As this is a political issue it will require the right political moves.
Yours etc..
Philip Marweiñ,
Via email
Wanted positive news
Editor
The quantity and quality of news generated by most government, private as well as independent media sources across the globe are nowadays loaded with information related to futile negative local and international politics; sex, violence, abuses, discrimination, accidents, riots, wars, terror attacks, mob violence, police inaction, corruption, nepotism, fraud, murder, failing economy to name only a handful. It is important to accommodate some different aspects of life with news too for building the newer generation and to provide a relief from the challenges of our present difficult life and challenges of our global existence. Life has more to offer than just struggle and it is important to motivate people towards the positive aspects of our socio-economic as well as socio-political life. International media houses that frame and help in developing global opinion should also look at accommodating some positive news that could provide direction to our younger generations and help them to be futuristic but also better and responsible citizens.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Leithbridge, Canada
Bring the perpetrators to book
Editor,
With the Uttar Pradesh police chief stating that there was a conspiracy behind the violence in Bulandshar, the cops of that state should unearth the truth behind the murder of a police official at the earliest. The issue has taken a political colour in that state with elections to the Lok Sabha just a few months away. The authorities should bring the conspirators to justice soon and ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Yours etc.,
M T Khan,
Via email