By Albert Thyrniang
Dear members of the ‘National Liberation Council of Nongkyndong” (NLCN),
I am writing to you to share some of my thoughts which may resonate with you. I do not know your background. I do not know the reasons why you decided to form the NLCN. The nature and intentions of your organisation are not known. But as the name suggests you want to liberate the ‘Nongkyndong’ or rural Meghalaya. But what do you desire to set the rural villages free from? The police say you want to promote your ideals through the violent method.
One assumption for the reason for NLCN is unemployment. Everyone agrees that unemployment is a huge problem and a genuine concern. Last year in October this issue echoed in a rally organised by the Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) in the heart of Shillong. The fact that hundreds of youths participated in the march tells the sad state of joblessness in the state. This year towards the end of May and beginning of June almost half of the state was in protest mode showing solidarity with the fast of the VPP’s top leader who demanded the review of the state’s job reservation policy. The masses somehow believe that if the policy is changed it will banish unemployment. .
Unemployment can’t be solved by the gun. For employment you need education. But even education alone may not be enough to secure a job. Skills are needed. Paul Lyngdoh drew flak for criticizing the VPP accusing them of galvanising crowds for political gains and for injecting into the society the notion that a relook of the job reservation policy will greatly benefit the Khasi and Jaintia youths. Besides his doubts, the minister points to the bigger problem, un-employability. Un-employability is precisely the lack of skills. Lack of skills makes one unfit for jobs. Our youths may be degree holders. But do they possess the necessary skills? Do they have sufficient language (speaking, writing and reading), and arithmetic skills? Are they trained for specific skills like communication, computer, carpentry, welding, mechanics, beautician, cooking, electrical, mobile repairing, farming and so on? It is skills that fetch employment. By employment I don’t mean government jobs. Unfortunately employment has been wrongly equated with government job. This notion must be dismantled. It is also noted that enterprise and hard work will disband unemployment.
You might have seen elsewhere that militant groups are formed, they surrender and they get a few lakhs from the government. They are now living quite comfortably doing business with extorted and government aided money. If you choose this route it is for the government to answer. One can never agree with this policy. It is unfair to other youths.
You are from ‘nongkyndong’. One disturbing sight in the villages is that many school and college going youths no longer want to do farming. They don’t help their parents before or after school. On off days and during the winter holidays too they loiter around busy with smartphones. It is only the uneducated that are farmers. Jobless youths prefer to be cabs and sumo drivers in Shillong and in other district headquarters. This is not a healthy sign. You could help to reverse this trend. The educated can also become enterprising farmers. The government is offering help to individuals who want to take up farming.
You may retort ‘how to get education’ and ‘how to acquire skills. True there are no schools and colleges in the villages. Even if there are, they don’t function properly. They are in a dilapidated state. Teachers are irregular. All the good institutions are in urban areas.’ You are right. But I don’t understand how AK47s can change the scenario. It will worsen the situation. If you are in villages, even the remotest of them, you can make a difference by being over-ground activists. You can lead the way by taking ownership of the LP schools in the villages. Ask the managing committee to follow up on the teachers. Inform the authorities if teachers neglect their duties. Make sure the funds for the schools are utilized properly. Inspector of schools and the education minister may not reach the village schools but if villagers themselves assume responsibility they can transform the present hopelessness. Your role in this regard is a better option than being ‘Robin Hoods’.
It is claimed you are from Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills. Some of you may be too young, but other might have worked in coal mines. Now you can do it only clandestinely. You may complain that you have no work now. This may be one of the reasons for you to form the NLCN. As responsible youths we should see that mining does not damage the environment. We can see that the ecology in the coal rich areas in Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills are irrevocably impaired. We see protests against TOPCEM and other cement plants because they choke human beings. Coke plants are also being demolished in your home districts. Jobs and unsustainable development can never compensate for clean air, clean water and clean soil.
One of the methods to change rural Meghalaya is to change the way elections and electioneering are conducted here. More than in the cities, elections in rural areas are a tamasha, a celebration. They are joyrides, dancing, singing, eating, drinking and making merry out of generous cash doled out by candidates. This scene is most visible in Jaintia Hills. West Khasi Hills is not far behind. The last elections were the most blatant and brazen show of extravagance. In this scandalous show the youths are active participants. Probably you might have seen the sight in Sohiong where drunk youngsters danced atop a taxi literally crushing it with their weight. Money plays havoc in elections. In the last elections, since it was for the first time I voted in my village, I discovered that money was the deciding factor. Development and performance was a nil consideration. The MLA and candidate distributed at least Rs. 10,000 to each of the families supporting him. On voting day Rs 1000 was gifted to each voter. On the day of the results supporters were treated to a parting feast. When I this pointed out on social media many ridiculed me including young people. There was hardly any voice against this disgrace. Except for a few, all the ‘Sengbhalang’ (pressure groups) kept mum. It seems there are no more conscientious youths.
You know well that our representatives are not held accountable. There is no scrutiny of the schemes implemented. No questions are asked because we have accepted food, drink and money from candidates. We don’t even ask where the money used during electioneering comes from. If he or she is already an MLA, the money could be from the schemes and projects meant for the public. A portion was taken from them. That’s why the sub-standard work everywhere. When roads are damaged the rains are blamed. In reality the whole amount was not spent. Cuts, including for the MLA, were done. Shoddy works are more pronounced in villages. Works are not only inferior, but in many cases only one-third or half is done. Even the Rs. 10,000 or Rs. 30,000 given to families and individuals could be from some schemes. No candidate will take out money from his own pocket. The MLA is sure no one will bother because voters have been taken care of during elections. Election money comes also from contractors and businessmen who hope to get the bulk of contracts after the election. It is in this regard that liberation is needed.
You may witness corruption and nepotism everywhere. Though in police custody, you might have heard that the state government has appointed two sons of MLAs and an aide of another MLA as members to select applicants for government jobs in North Garo Hills. This “anti-corruption nepotism” is laughable. Not only in that district, but your MLAs too practice nepotism otherwise why should they promise jobs to individuals prior to elections. In Nongstoin only friends and family members of the former MLAs are appointed in different offices. This is frustrating for you and for all youths.
You know first-hand the level of poverty in rural areas. You see the imbalance between the cities and the remote villages, the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor. Your own MLAs/MDCs have expensive cars, palatial residences also in Shillong, huge lands and thriving businesses. You might have seen the police and pressure groups extorting money from trucks on highways. You ask, “If they can extort, why not us too?” There are no easy answers. But what is wrong is wrong. Getting rich the dishonest way is not right.
Hope you are set free if you have not committed any crime. Hope you realise your mistakes. Your path won’t lead to your goals being accomplished. Better to contribute the peaceful way. The world may be unfair but violence is no solution. It is never the answer to backwardness, poverty, corruption, injustice, unemployment and lack of opportunities. It liberates neither the ‘Nongsor’ nor ‘Nongkyndong’.