By Benjamin Lyngdoh
The police patrol vehicle being driven through a stretch of Shillong by some angry youth that led to its burning is an image that will live long in our minds. On that fateful day the vehicle was basically showcased as a trophy for all bystanders to see. It sent an unequivocal message that chaos and lawlessness has descended in Meghalaya’s capital city. A youth from Shillong who currently works in Bengaluru did not believe in the first instance that the scene was from his hometown. It took some explaining for this person to be convinced. If there is a nadir for anarchy and brute force of the masses, this was it. That Mawlai locality had the courage and dared to direct the state government to not send cops in uniform on August 15 speaks a lot about the angst of the people. That the state government benignly accepted the direction speaks volumes about the helplessness of governance. On that day there was no government/governance. It is ironic that that day had to be Independence Day. The message and optics that had gone out to the other parts of the country is that we are a people who do not respect and revere the freedom struggles of our forefathers. It was difficult to explain to them that this is not true at all.
Well, how did it all come to this? When the news about the alleged fake encounter of Cheristerfield Thangkhiew started circulating on August 13 morning, many found it difficult to believe. Some said that it might be another case of fake news. None of the print media had the story as they had already gone into print by the time the incident occurred. It was only as the day went by that the genuineness of the news started to creep in. Electronic media was full of it. The news provoked anger and fierce debates and discussions. We all know how social media works in such events. This created the fury and rage of the masses which ultimately culminated in a call for mass attendance at the funeral.
To call a spade a spade, social media did play its role in enraging the angst, leading the masses on and in fuelling the fire. Hence, the cases of clips on violence and sabotage that went viral! With such widespread resentment on the government, it is easy for things to spin out of control. It was a situation where the mob had taken over with all logical and rational thinking being disbanded. As 15th August went on, the day turned from bad to worst. Shillong’s image had been tarnished. On hindsight, the move to curb internet connectivity from 6:00 PM of that day was a good one; else things would have spiralled totally out of control.
The internet curbs did help to stem the fury and rage from August 15 evening onwards. That is a plus. It was seemingly the only good move of the government during that day. However, the agitation and violence of the day has thrown into focus the same old point. That being that the leaders of the pressure groups have failed yet again to moderate and control their members. It is true that not all are trouble creators. Not all would let their blood boil over and convert anger into violence. The numbers of such are few. But, even the few are troublesome enough to throw a situation out of hand. The burning of the police patrol vehicle is a good example in this instance. In failing to moderate their members the pressures groups have completely failed in reigning in the boys and positioning themselves as responsible stakeholders in a social cause. Noteworthy and commendable is the appeal from the household of Cheristerfield Thangkhiew for the crowd to be calm and moderate. We must learn from this. It is important to learn because of the manner in which the socio-cultural issues are stacked up in Meghalaya. We are going to see more agitations and protests in the coming months. Keeping this in mind, it is better for the pressure groups to control their boys. Yes, it is understood that the pressure groups prefer to have some hot-headed youth in their midst to make their point. But enough of that; its time to abandon this failed strategy!
No matter how we look at the alleged fake encounter, this disaster is the government’s own creation. Talk about digging their own grave. Many have opined that had Cheristerfield Thangkhiew been allowed to live in peace and died naturally, then the August 15 turmoil would not have happened. All the bad optics of Shillong during Independence Day would have been avoided and many would not have to indulge in long explanations to people from other parts of India. What happened to rounding up a suspect for the purpose of interrogation? What happened to a fair trial and the principle of a person being innocent until proven guilty? On the contrary, what we have now is the resurgence of the HNLC. People are openly supporting them. The militant group is making the most of this opportunity. In all likelihood, Meghalaya is going to face the brunt of this in the years to come. In that event how are we supposed to create a nurturing environment for progress? Even today corporate houses are not willing to set up shop in Shillong. Where will the employment opportunities come from?
The outcome of August 15 is a spectacle triggering a string of hate posts against the Khasi community on social media. As it is, even during normal times there are enough posts questioning tribal rights and protections under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India. The recent event has only added fuel to the fire. The same will happen in future agitations. The others will poke the Khasis on social media. Plus, let us face it. They do have better connections in New Delhi. That’s the irony.
While social media works well in garnering support on social issues, it can also be counter-productive. The offer of resignation by Lahkmen Rymbui from the Home portfolio is an interesting development. We have seen the defence of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma that it would send a wrong signal. Well, we can all have our own interpretations. However, this development can be viewed in two ways. First, Conrad Sangma has not accepted the resignation as it would lead to pressure on his brother James Sangma’s removal from the Power Department. Second, this is a well-thought out move by the UDP. If the resignation is accepted, would have they withdrawn from the ruling coalition? The UDP may have played its trump card.
In the ultimate analysis the MDA government has failed its people. When it came to power in 2018 under an able and young Chief Minister, people had high hopes. Alas, everything has gone south and the events of August 15 might well be its nadir. However, people are faced with a conundrum. There seems to be no alternative. The Congress is seen as a sinking ship with its own leadership problems and continuous talk of desertion of its MLAs. The regional parties seem to be more interested in holding on to power and lack the will to work as a united force. Woe on you, oh Meghalaya!
(Email: [email protected]; the writer teaches at NEHU)