By Albert Thyrniang
HH Mohrmen’s article, “Battle of guns and ballots in Garo Hills” (ST, 3rd December, 2012) sums up the situation in Garo Hills. I must say, however, that the following write-up is independent of the above mentioned article as it was just before I could send mine by e-mail that the 4th December edition came to my hand. But yes the situation in Garo Hills is alarming. Law and order is fast deteriorating. It is going from bad to worse. It is of grave concern. The latest incident of violence is the grenade attack at the private residence of the Community and Rural Development Minister, Saleng Sangma at Tura on 2nd December, 2012. The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) is suspected to be responsible. The reason for the attack is unknown. According to media reports the Minister’s refusal to meet the monetary demands of the outfit earned their wrath. The Minster was earlier banned from entering his constituency by the same organisation.
Earlier, on 24th November, 2012 Meghalaya Pradesh Committee (MPCC) Working President Mrs. Deborah Marak was attacked by suspected armed break away faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) militants near Williamnagar across the great Simsang River. What is more shocking is the justification of the topmost leader of the outfit for the attack. He reportedly threatened, “Sometimes bullets work better”. If I get it right the ANVC splinter group is fighting for a separate Garo State not a separate country. This means that it believes in the rule of law and pledges allegiance to the Indian Constitution. The Constitution of India does not permit even a criminal to be shot. Even the hardcore Pakistani terrorist, Ajmal Kasab who was responsible for killing over 180 innocent people was given a fair and comprehensive trial. He was even given the privilege of appealing for mercy to the president of India. Having found that he deserved to die he was hanged according to law.
Prior to the attack on the MPCC Working President, on November 5, the Community and Rural Development Minister was targeted by land mines when the he was to return from Nainapara village forcing him to trek several miles back home. Luckily the mines were detected earlier. What is disturbing is that few condemned the attack on Deborah Marak and Saleng Sangma. If my memory serves me right only Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma and MPCC President, DD Lapang condemned the attack on Deborah Marak. Where are the others? Where are the veteran politicians? Where are the noisy NGOs? Where are the church leaders? Where are the prominent citizens? Why the silence? Is not the attack a cause of concern? Are we gripped by fear? Is the silence an endorsement of the acts of violence? May be reactions condemning the latest attack on the Community and Rural Development Minister will pour in, but the conspicuous silence on earlier attacks is frightening.
Why are politicians being attacked? Non-compliance of financial demands by various groups is attributed to be the main reason. Both Deborah and Saleng have denied having received any demand from any militant group. This is quite hard to believe as the ground reality points to the contrary. Politicians come clean. It is an open secret that politicians and others clandestinely pay huge sums to genuine and fake groups. The police recently have rejected any existence of a politician-militant nexus citing some instances as individual cases. Such is the ability of the police to inquire and investigate against and to give a clean chit to their ‘bosses’! Never mind the former HNLC’s former Chief, Julius Dorphang’s closeness with some Congressmen. Never mind the GNLA’s Chief, Champion Sangma’s confession of support to the Congress in the next Assembly election! There is no nexus between politicians and militants. They are at arm’s length from each other. There is no connection between them! No politician has paid any money to any militant group!
The ANVC (B), while justifying the attack on Deborah Marak stated that they are against politicians campaigning to ensure that the Feburary 2013 election is free and fair. They don’t want to see them buying votes by freebies and often empty promises. Does the rebel group have a point? These days, in the run up to the 2013 election, politicians will travel far and wide, to the remotest villages even ignoring security and risking their lives. Money and goods will be distributed; food and liquor will be served to woo voters. Schemes will be executed at the last moment to impress upon gullible villages. They will claim credit where there is none. Even normal works done by different government departments where politicians have no hand at all will be portrayed as a result of their hard work. They are out there to use unfair means. They are out there to make election anything but free and fair. While not justifying violence, some one has to point out the tricks played by politicians at the time of election. It is unfortunate that a group dubbed as rebellious has to do the job that the Election Commission, the police and all of us are supposed to perform.
Amidst gloom, however, there is a silver lining. The ANVC, currently under cease fire with the Central and State Government has called for all militant groups in Garo Hills to unite for the sake of lasting peace in the region. If the once powerful organisation has realised its past mistakes, if it has regretted its violent past, if it is now convinced that violence does not succeed, then it is indeed a welcome development. What is of concern is the inability of the ANVC leadership to control and rein in its cadres. By its own admission, the two presently active militant groups in Garo Hills have sprung up from the mother organisation. Reports also strongly point out to the involvement of its members in extortion and violence including the planting of land mines to target the Community and Rural Development Minister. Anyway, the effort of the Council in bringing its ‘strayed’ members together for peace, progress and development is refreshing. Every one has the right to demand for anything under the sun provided it is democratic and within the law.
Not only the ANVC but all peace loving and peace longing citizens should come together to bring back peace to the beautiful hills. It’s far too long we have been affected by violence. It has affected our social tranquility. It has affected our relationship with one another. It has affected our economic prosperity. It has affected us – physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. It has affected the young and the old, the rich and the poor. It’s time we set things right! Violence will only lead to a lose-lose situation. Never a win-win! Shun violence. Give peace a chance.