By Steffi Sangma

In the past weeks that have passed by, we have seen the accuses that the UDP have brought up especially related to the removal of the Power Minister, James Sangma. As we all are aware, these demands had gained momentum with the General Secretary of the UDP going all out.

If we look at the present scenario of our State, we can also see that a minister of the UDP chairs the Home portfolio. The Home Department is one of the major Departments of our State as it deals with everything related to law and order. Ironically however, if we look at the functioning of this Department, we can see that everything is going downhill. Our State’s crime rate is not seeing light but rather is being clouded by gloomy spectre of crimes increasing every single day.

Let us take for instance the incident at Ichamati in February last year where a Khasi tribal youth had lost his life because of communal violence. It was known that even the policemen who were present at the time the incident occurred were but only mute spectators. Another recent incident that happened in Golflinks this year whereby a group of young men were assaulted leading to the death of one from South West Khasi Hills also shows the rise in communal and criminal violence around us with the police department not being able to do much. We saw that the Home Minister had set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to speed up the process but was that worth it? It took them much time to get the perpetrators behind bars and ironically, a statement from the Home Department stated that those involved were not “non-tribals”, so are they directing it towards the tribal youths of the State then?

Untoward and unfortunate incidents have also been taking place with the womenfolk of our State being victims of sexual assault and murders. I would like to put forth about the accused involved in the brutal gangrape of a 16-year-old girl in West Garo Hills who are not yet arrested till date. Why they did not speed up the investigation process and arrest those involved? Do Garo lives not matter? Is the safety of our women and children not a matter of concern? Do they also now have to start fearing for themselves when they move about especially in the darkness of the night?

Is this all not a matter of seriousness for the UDP which claims itself to be a regional party or rather a party of the State that cares for its people? Why don’t they question the incompetence of a minister of their Party who holds such an important portfolio? Why not demand answers from him and the department for the deteriorating law-and-order situation in our state and the rise of crimes ranging from assault on women to murders and robberies?

Amusingly, the UDP comes to Garo Hills and want to stake claim of the GHADC, but then have been vocal in removing a Garo minister when their own minister Lahkmen Rymbui is incapable and unfit to take care of the welfare of the State, and who is rather letting every opportunity for the betterment of the State slip from his grasp. We as Garos should be careful of this Party which is nothing but a Khasi party who will mostly look into fielding their own candidates and not giving our people a chance. We should remain united in our stand and not let them steal our rights.