By Maitshaphrang Khongwir
“The HNLC also came out with a warning that the media should act as free and independent bodies and publish their releases and statements which they send to them from time to time failing, which they shall also suffer the consequences. This threat to the media though is uncalled for and unwarranted because they play an important role in helping information reach the masses, keeping us informed of issues that we may not be aware of just by sitting at home.”
The recent IED blast that occurred on August 10, afternoon in Laitumkhrah yet again makes us question the inefficiency of the Home Department and the Minister, Lakhmen Rymbui who had apparently stepped down out of guilt and shame or maybe because it was the right thing to do. Few hours after the incident, it seems the general secretary of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) comes up with a statement taking credit for the blast while also threatening that this was only a trailer.
A similar IED blast took place in July this year at the Khliehriat Police Reserve, which is a clear sign that the outfit must be regrouping and planning more such attacks in the near future. The HNLC also came out with a warning that the media should act as free and independent bodies and publish their releases and statements which they send to them from time to time failing, which they shall also suffer the consequences. This threat to the media though is uncalled for and unwarranted because they play an important role in helping information reach the masses, keeping us informed of issues that we may not be aware of just by sitting at home.
Ironically, it seems that the Intelligence sources had passed on information, alerting the Government and the Department about a possible HNLC attack in the city. According to sources that got in touch with The Shillong Times, it looks like the Home Department did not take any pre-emptive measure, even though they had been warned about the same. If this startling revelation is true, then it is ignominious that the Department did not act on it and that innocents are being targeted. The recent blast, although not a big one, left two innocent people injured. What would happen then if what the outfit stated is true? With the recent incident, it seems the much-anticipated peace talks between the Government and the HNLC may be derailed. If this is the situation then the future looks bleak and there is fear that more innocent lives are going to be at risk.
The Home Minister had also accepted that there was a lapse, as they did not anticipate an attack in the city. This statement from the Minister is banal as this was something that should have been a priority from the very beginning, when the Khliehriat IED blast took place. The wake-up call should have been heeded to then and not now. Analyses and preparations should have been an agenda for the Department and the Home Minister so they can nip the issue in the bud and prevent further danger to innocent human lives.
It is also interesting to see that as always, the UDP as a Party had deemed it convenient to stay quiet until they convened the urgent meeting on August 15, during which a decision was made that Lahkmen Rymbui should step down as the Home Minister, a decision he had stated was needed for a fair enquiry. As a Party that aims to work for the aspirations of the people of the region, it should have been top priority for them to convene an urgent meeting on the day the when the IED blast occurred or the following day. Perhaps it would have saved the situation from escalating and our youth from going awry and acting like a bunch of hooligans. It would not have warranted a curfew and internet ban that is affecting everyone especially those belonging to the not so well-to-do families including students. As always, this Party likes to keep quiet and turn a blind eye whenever an issue is related to a legislator of their own, but are quick to fire guns when there is another minister from another party who commits an error. If this Party really cares for the people and the State, it is due time now for them to evaluate their own and criticize them too if they commit errors, or else it’ll only be fair to term them as the ignorant ones who cover up for the mistakes of their own but are quick to judge the faults of others.
In addition, the Government and the Home Department needs to analyze these situations and take all information from the intelligence sources seriously, analyse that and be prepared to deal with situation, otherwise terror will strike again and this time it just may not be a minor blast. If the Home Department wishes to and sets their mind on it, I am positive that they shall be able to prevent such untoward incidents from taking place. It is high time now for the Department and the Government to be serious in protecting the citizens, or I fear, the return of insurgency in Meghalaya is not far off.
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