Editor,
I am provoked by the write-up “Communalising the Ichamati issue” by Albert Thyrniang ( ST Oct 28). In my considered view, the writer has paraphrased the developments on the Ichamati issue in a biased banner. In upholding the majoritarian view on the issue, he has been unfair to the residents of Ichamati. Passing judgment by listening to one side of the story will be a travesty of justice. Not only did Thyrniang not think that the residents of these border villages have a case; he made it worse by deprecating the petition filed before the Governor. Why it should be an offence to submit a memorandum to the head of the state is beyond my comprehension. Does he seriously think that it is a criminal offence? Under which sections of the IPC or Cr PC? Actually, the atmosphere of free thinking and tolerance for contrary views has become impossible in the light of such one-sided partisan narratives. Intellectuals and opinion makers like Thyrniang should look at these sensitive issues more dispassionately before passing any judgment.
I am pained that the case of the Ichamati residents has been ignored deliberately or by default. Since February, after the unfortunate death of a KSU activist there, life has become hell for these residents. The non-tribals (read non-Khasis) have been living in a state of constant fear and anxiety. Many bread winners have left the place out of fear of reprisal or are lodged in jail. Their physical absence has made the life of their families miserable. Shops have remained closed by the diktat of those who are running a parallel administration in Meghalaya. The traders’ fault is that they could not produce valid district council trade licence. And why so? Because the District Council has been sitting on their applications for renewal of licence! Why can’t Thyrniang empathize with this suffering lot? Why can’t he pressurize the District Council to issue the licences, if the applicants qualify for the same? By withholding the licences, the District Council has brought further miseries on the people of Ichamati.
I also find that Thyrniang suffers from some stark lack of knowledge about our Sixth Schedule. If Thyrniang would care to read the Constitution and the debate that preceded it in the Constituent Assembly, it will be evident to him that the framers of Sixth Schedule explicitly wanted Shillong to be out of the purview of the Sixth Schedule. In fact, the Sixth Schedule lays down unambiguously that the Shillong Municipal Areas, including European Ward and Cantonment, will be a free zone. It will be appropriate to recall that under the Sixth Schedule District Councils are empowered to enforce “reasonable restrictions” on non-tribals. Whether the restrictions as they exist today are “reasonable” or not is different matter. Over the years this provision has been subverted and the rights of the non-Khasi residents of Shillong have been taken away. I would like the likes of Thyrniang to dwell on this aspect of regression of Shillong.
If we want harmony, there has to be justice for all and at all levels. I don’t think any non-Khasi is asking anything more than their Constitutional and human rights. If that continues to be denied to them, there is bound to be pressure on those who govern the country. In such a situation, only the lawful authorities of Meghalaya (Government, Police, District Council etc) will themselves be blamed for this “interference” from outside. Let us not disregard law. We all must learn to submit before law.
My humble submission therefore is that the Khasis and other tribes who are in majority in the state show their sense of humanity and large-heartedness in accommodating “others”. It enjoins in them that being the majority community they themselves solve the problems at hand without interventions of any kind—legal or political.
Yours etc,
N K Sharma,
Via email
Make peace with neighbours
Editor,
Apropos the report, “Shullai wants Centre to iron out Assam-Meghalaya border tiff” (ST Oct 24, 2020), the initiative taken by South Shillong MLA – Sanbor Shullai in writing to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah is commendable. This prompt move by the MLA is perhaps in view of the recent violent face-off in the Assam-Mizoram border. The protracted boundary disputes at about 12 different border areas in Meghalaya and Assam have literally become sore points. Frequent confrontations in the past have also led to brutal skirmishes resulting in loss of lives. It may be mentioned here that at some places the Assam government uses certain communities as fencing walls. The motive is known to everyone. This only goes to create “misunderstanding” among the communities from either side.
All efforts made by previous governments from both sides have gone in vain. One believes the decisive intervention by the Union Ministry alone will help iron out the differences and to arrive at a permanent solution. Mr. Samuel Swett in his letter “Meghalaya must show its spine” (ST, Oct 28, 2020) has rightly expressed the urgency for an amicable solution. While the Centre can hurry up to assure a permanent solution to the leaders of Assam-Mizoram, why are such assurances not given to Meghalaya for so many years? Should we still remain complacent and sit back? No, not at all. We have witnessed enough bloodbath. What is most desirable now is if all political parties, even social & welfare organizations, irrespective of their ideologies and affiliations, would come together and write to the Union Home Ministry as repeatedly as possible. Hope the State BJP leaders will take the lead role here. This alone can draw the attention of Delhi. The Central Government would do good if it urgently helps in building peace with all our adjoining states and also the neighbouring state. The situation should not go from bad to worse.
We also have a painful saga and instances of belligerence concerning the “illegal” immigrants from the neighbouring country. Should we not learn from Tripura and Assam where the indigenous natives are under the mercy of the outside “fearsome” forces? Striving for self-protection is the prime duty now. Metaphorically, the state must put on a “thick mask” and no virus of hostility should infect us. We love peace and so we can surely “love our neighbours” from a distance.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Law on mask-wearing
Editor,
The Rajasthan government is soon coming up with a law to make the wearing of masks compulsory. CM Ashok Gehlot indicated that the state government is planning to make it mandatory for all to wear masks in the state to check the spread of COVID-19 infection. A Bill shall be introduced in the forthcoming assembly session. Washing hands, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance are the only ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until a vaccine is launched. Rajasthan will be the first state in the country to bring a law on mask-wearing. This is a commendable move to ensure people’s safety. The need of the hour is for people to follow COVID-19 safeguards and support the government in the fight against this global pandemic.
Yours etc.,
Amit Singh Kushwaha,
Satna (M.P.)