We have reports of recruitment, but we don’t know about its scale and who exactly these people are who are being recruited and which group is being formed again: Nongrang
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 22: Meghalaya Police on Friday confirmed that rebel outfits are making fresh attempts to recruit and regroup, raising fears of a possible resurgence of militancy in the state after years of relative calm.
“We have reports of new recruitment, but we don’t know about its scale and who exactly these people are who are being recruited and which group is being formed again,” Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang stated.
She said the matter is under close watch, though details remain sketchy at this stage.
The DGP pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma, flagged the concern during the meetings of the State Security Commission.
“As the Leader of the Opposition, he obviously knows a lot of things which we are also keeping track of. He raised this issue about youth, educated or uneducated, trying to join (rebel groups) for militancy to make a comeback. He raised this issue in the last State Security Commission meeting a few months back, and those concerns were noted,” she said.
Blaming the government’s indifference for fuelling frustration among the educated unemployed, the former chief minister on Thursday said the silence in the face of such alarming inputs could trigger a resurgence of militancy in the state.
“If they say they don’t know, then it is their failure or their usual denial mode, but the reality is all alarming. Inputs indicate that many qualified youth with professional degrees, out of frustration and anger, have resorted to rebellion,” Sangma cautioned.
Sangma, who was instrumental in dismantling militancy in the state during his tenure, said the current government has failed to recognise the seriousness of the situation.
Asked if this pointed to the possibility of a renewed insurgency, he replied, “Already many youth have gone and joined armed groups and completed their training as well. Yes, it’s a matter of concern. There is no visible response from the government to counter this.”
He warned that the continuing “insensitivity with impunity” by those in power does not bode well for Meghalaya. Unless proactive measures are taken to address unemployment, frustration will only translate into anger and ultimately rebellion, he said.
