Ultras' strength not AK-47 but masses'

SHILLONG, March 15: Meghalaya is heading towards anarchy unless sthe people decide to shun violence and oppose militancy. "After all, the strength of the militant outfits was not AK-47 but the common men," said the East Khasi Hills District Superintendent of Police, GRP Raju. That the Khasi intelligentsia is silent on the issue of activities of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) in the Khasi Hills, should not be construed as whole hearted support of the public, contended the policeman while addressing an informal gathering at a workshop for the youth organised by The Northeastern Region Wing of The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) here yesterday. Presenting the insurgency scenario in the State, the police officer said that the HNLC, which is active in the Khasi Hills and the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), operating in the Garo Hills, were yet to secure total mass support in the State. He however, did not foresee any possibility of the rise of militancy in the Jaintia Hills area of Meghalaya unlike in the Khasi and Garo areas. "The people in Jaintia Hills are very enterprising and know much better how to exploit the natural resources available in their area," he said by way of explanation. Terming as "most dangerous trend the nexus between some politicians, NGOs and contractors", Sir Raju alleged that these elements were exploiting the misguided youths for their own selfish gains. He hastened to add that the views he was airing were entirely personal and not made in his official capacity. He described the HNLC members as a group of ordinary criminals and rogues who were school drop-outs. " I do not fear this group. The more dangerous were people behind them," he said. Ridiculing the HNLC's plan to liberate Meghalya, Raju wondered whether this could be achieved by killing and looting innocent people. Raju, who has achieved reputation as a tough policeman, predicted that emergence of more militant groups in the coming days and consequent inter-gang rivalry over share of loot would lead to the downfall of militancy in Meghalaya.