SHILL, TURA NOV 16: Shillong and Tura simultaneously saw protests against any attempt to impose the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Garo hills as hundreds of people turned up in both the places to show their opposition to such a move by the central government.
Recently the Meghalaya high court had directed the union home ministry to weigh the possibility of imposing AFSPA in Garo hills to tackle militants activities that have seen spates of kidnappings and killings.
In Shillong hundreds of people come out to the street and even as demanded repealing MPDA and MMPO.
A clarion call was also made to the different militant outfits operating in the five districts of Garo hills to come to the negotiating table and resolve their issues.
The anti-AFSPA rally, participated by people and members of the Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR), Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO), Khasi Students Union (KSU), Garo Students Union (GSU), and Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) started from Fire Brigade to Additional Secretariat.
“We are here to tell the government that it is high time to bring peace in Garo Hills and not AFSPA which will only further disturb peace,” TUR leader Angela Rangad said while speaking at a gathering.
“Peace cannot be forced. You cannot bring peace by imposing AFSPA but peace has to come with justice, truth and reconciliation,” Rangad said.
Stating that AFSPA is a not solution to end violent, she pointed out, “AFSPA has been a curse to state like Manipur and it will certainly add to the problem in Garo hills and Meghalaya.” “We demand the state government to bring peace by talking and listening to the people,” she added.
According to Rangad, the reasons for the present unrest, frustration and violence in Garo hills and the state as a whole is because of corruptions, which has led to unhappiness.
“Therefore, the state government should understand that the unrest in Garo hills is a ‘political problem’,” she said while pointing out to the deaths caused by alleged state and non-state actors.
Lambasting the state government for lack of political will to resolve the root-cause of militancy, she said, the rally is also to demand the government to take further steps in addressing the issues concerning the Garo hills.
In his speech, Rev K Pyrtuh said that AFSPA, a law which is proposed to be imposed in Meghalaya’s Garo hills, has been in use in different parts of the North East region especially in Manipur.
He, however, informed that the imposition of AFSPA has led to the violation of human rights and it must be prevented from being imposed in Meghalaya.
“The greatest fear is that now they are saying bring AFSPA to curb violence but there will come a time that this same law will be against the farmers, who are protecting their lands, workers, teachers and even student communities, who are protesting for their rights,” Rev Pyrtuh said.
Stating the state doesn’t need a law which gives license to kill at will, Rev Pyrtuh said, “We already witnessed fake encounters in our state committed by both state and non-state actors, which are highly deplorable and highly condemnable.”
“We appeal to all the militant outfits to come to the negotiating table as we need peace and not AFSPA, MPDA or MMPO. The state is also appeal to come together to stop this move, which will only curb the right to live and equality,” he said adding “We appeal to both the state and centre governments to ensure such draconian laws are not imposed.”
TUR member Tarun Bhartiya said AFSPA gives clear cut impunity to the police and army.Citing the case of Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “In these states, the law has been use to suppress movements which has nothing to do with terrorism. Therefore, when AFSPA comes, you cannot speak out against forces.”
AFSPA in fact is already Meghalaya, along the borders with Assam, he said, but once the army steps in, they will treat people in a racist manner, they will become dictators in Garo hills and the state.
Stating that the state government is also shares the same views against the imposition of AFSPA, Tarun, however, said, “But Meghalaya also has laws like the Meghalaya Maintenance Public Order (MMPO) and Meghalaya Prevention Detention Act (MPDA), which are also similar to AFSPA.”
According to him, as per RTI findings, there are lots of young people who have been arrested under the MPDA and these people are not even taking up arms.
Demanding repeal of the state’s MPDA and MMPO, he said, “We have to fight at any cost against laws which take away our rights.”
Stating that imposition of AFSPA cannot be imposed by a Court, Tarun said, “Today if something happens to me and if the court is saying impose AFSPA where do I go to seek for justice. AFSPA should be ordered by an executive not judiciary.”-By Our Reporter
In Tura
A public meeting and procession was held against the Meghalaya high court directive to centre to consider imposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Garo hills at Chandmari playground.
The protest rally was spearheaded by several civil organisations including Garo Students Union (GSU) and Garo Hills State Movement Committee (GHSMC).
At least 1000 people gathered to show their resentment against the AFSPA and walked through the streets of Tura town demanding peace and harmony. During the rally, shops in several places including Chandmari, Ringrey and Tura bazar remained closed.
The rally culminated in front of deputy commissioner’s office.
People at the rally held placard that read, “Stop killing of innocent people”, “We need peace in Garo hills”, “We don’t want imposition of AFSPA in Garo hills”, amongst others.
The rally comprised mostly students, traders and members of civil organisations from Tura and its neighbouring villages.
The activists vent their anger against the directive of the high court and made their assertion that Garos will not tolerate “militarization”.
They also appreciated union minister of state (Home) Kiren Rijiju’s remark. “Imposition of AFSPA will not bring any solution to Garo hills”.
The public meeting held at Chandmari decided to hold protest across Garo hills on November 18, when high court will take a call on its directive issued earlier this month.
The activists termed that imposition of AFSPA in the region will victimize innocent civilian. They informed the gathering about the inhumane acts of army in states like Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, where the AFSPA has been imposed.
Noted educationist and former pro vice chancellor of North Eastern Hill University and ICFAI University Meghalaya Professor Milton S Sangma said, “Insurgency is an issue in Garo hills but army is not a solution”. He urged the people to come out in large number to show their displeasure against the “draconian” act.
GSU activist Walseng A Sangma said, “Army has already entered Garo hills along the Assam – Meghalaya border. There highhandedness is evident. If we do not express our opposition they will enter in Garo hills”.
Terming insurgency situation as a cause of concern, he appealed to outfits to come out and hold talks and negotiation with the government. “We also appeal to the centre and state government to listen to the demands of the outfits and talk to them”, the GSU activist appealed.
The activist informed that their leaders are meeting central leadership in New Delhi to express peoples’ concern about the “draconian” act.
The president of Senior Citizens’ Forum Windstone G. Momin said, “Our government is capable to take decision in the best interest of the people. We have elected representative to take decision. It is shocking that high court has suggested imposition of AFSPA in Garo hills”.- From Our Correspondent
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