IT is now time for the Government to get its act together in Garo Hills. Mere condemnation of the heinous crimes and announcing measly amounts to compensate for the lives of those killed in bomb blasts and guns makes a mockery of human misery. Our policemen are badly equipped even today. Their bullet- proof jackets weigh are half of their own weights. Add to that the guns and other equipments they have to carry on their persons in the sweltering heat and we can imagine how hard life is for these security personnel. The police not only have to battle the enemy without but also have to deal with information peddled by some of their colleagues to militant leaders at a price. His is perhaps the toughest challenge. That is the reason why the police have an Intelligence Wing. Its duty is to collect actionable intelligence. Actionable means just that! Action has to be taken against all enemies of the State which includes all manner of politicians who aid and abet militancy. Charges have been traded by several candidates who contested the last assembly elections. Some, like Jonathan Sangma, have filed FIRs that they have been openly threatened by a militant group to withdraw from the fray. His supporters were threatened not to vote for him or suffer the consequences. Saleng Sangma’s home was attacked by grenades. Surely this should tell us that not every politician in Garo Hills is distant from the militant activities going on there. The very fact that ministers from Garo Hills prefer to spend their time in Shillong then visit their troubled region tells its own story.
Everyday a new militant group surfaces in Garo Hills. They send press releases to the media which are duly published. Some in the Government have stated that the situation in Garo Hills is blown out of proportion by the media. If reporting militant activities is called exaggeration of facts then those in power are living in denial. Denial of the ground realities by those at the helm of affairs is a sign of incompetence. At this juncture Meghalaya is in needs of a strong, competent leadership that means business and can deliver a body blow to militancy in the State. However, that does not mean that those in the opposition should sit with folded hands and watch the show. They are equally responsible for the breakdown of law and order in Garo Hills by their apathy!
