TURA, Feb 28: The saga of protests for the ouster of Rakesh Sangma as the CEM of the GHADC began almost a month ago and is remarkable due to the extreme restraint shown by both the agitating groups as well as the state government in handling the protests.
The NGOs comprising GSU, FKJGP, ADE, AYWO, FAF and later AHAM began their protest almost immediately after the elevation of Rakesh to the position of CEM, exactly a month ago, with a pen-down strike being undertaken by the GHADC employees, who were egged on by the NGOs.
Although the GHADC employees later backed down, the protests continued without them.
The entire month saw two days of non-cooperation movement, rallies, pickets of the GHADC office, night curfew among others. However, none of the cases were, in any way, extreme.
Going by the criticism that was being raked up, one small untoward move by either the NGOs or the state government could have had some serious ramifications.
Barring a few cases of tyres being set ablaze during the bandh, the NGOs concentrated on ensuring their movement got the maximum coverage. Their demonstrations paid off at the end with Rakesh’s resignation.
The government, too, needs to be lauded for not targeting the protestors in any way that could have stoked the fire instead of dousing it.
This was despite the GHADC being shut for an entire month and even Chief Minister Conrad Sangma being greeted with black flags and ‘Go Back’ slogans in at least three places in Garo Hills.
As someone put it, the protests sought to oust a democratically elected leader through democratic means and were achieved democratically without any damage being done due to the restraint by a democratic government that listened to the voices of protest and acceded to it.
All in all, ’tis a win-win for democracy!