Hindu-Bengalis issued notice to leave Meghalaya becomes issue of grave concern

February 3: From being the ‘Neglected States of the Nation’ to ‘Look and Act East Policy’, the present political dispensation has been striving for transformation of North East India. The states of North East India has now received undivided attention from lawmakers and policymakers. However, certain contemporary issues going on in some of the states of North East has become detrimental for the overall development of this region.

The recent turmoil in Meghalaya has become an issue of grave concern. The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has issued an ultimatum to all the Hindu-Bengalis to leave Ichamati and Majai areas at Shella in East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya within one month. In a news report, NorthEast Now quoted HNLC General Secretary- cum -Publicity Secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw who said, “If the Hindu Bengalisdo not comply to our ultimatum, then we shall not be made responsible in case of any eventuality. This time it shall be a mass bloodshed.”

This is indeed a very disturbing news for a huge chunk of Hindu-Bengalis residing there since long. Such hyper-local attitude has given rise to a plethora of issues detrimental for development. Some petty Hindu Bengali traders who sells vegetables in East Khasi Hills told our correspondent that in the backdrop of such threats, they were passing their days in utmost tension. On condition of anonymity, a Hindu Bengali trader in Shella area of Meghalaya said, “Our Prime Minister has taken a pro-active role in providing citizenship to the Hindu Bengalis by bringing in Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). But today we are been given life threatening in Meghalaya. We appeal to Modiji to come to our rescue. He is our last resort of hope.”

Also Read: Death toll in CAA-ILP clashes in Meghalaya rises to 3

Taking to twitter, Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Silchar, Dr. Rajdeep Roy wrote, “Meghalaya: HNLC issues ‘leave Ichamati, Majai’ notice to Hindu-Bengalis   https://nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/meghalaya-hnlc-issues-leave-ichamati-majai-notice-to-hindu-bengalis.html….. Our priorities should be development and not fight for petty reasons which has been drilled into our mindset by the colonial and congress raj !” Dr. Roy also tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in this tweet.

Meghalaya: HNLC issues ‘leave Ichamati, Majai’ notice to Hindu-Bengalis   https://t.co/4Z4AxhRwrt..
Our priorities should be development and not fight for petty reasons which has been drilled into our mindset by the colonial and congress raj ! @AmitShah @sarbanandsonwal

— Dr Rajdeep Roy (@drrajdeeproy) March 3, 2020

A clash took place between non-tribals and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) activists at Ichamati village over differences on CAA and ILP after a KSU meeting at the village. Following which, a Khasi youth, identified as 35-year-old Lurshai Hynniewta, was attacked and killed on Friday. In retaliation, Uphas Uddin, 37, was killed by 3 unidentified people at his house in Pyrken village in Shella of East Khasi Hills district. This was followed by the killing of another non-tribal trader.

Also Read: Assam trader killed in Shillong, curfew reimposed, Mobile internet service suspended

Though the Chief Minister and Governor of Meghalaya have assured security to the non-tribals and appealed all to maintain peace and tranquility, but the atmosphere is still surcharged. The recent threat given by HNLC to the Hindu Bengalis has made the situation more worse.

With the situation continuing to be tense, the district administration of East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya has extended curfew at several places across Shillong from 6 am on on Tuesday. The areas where curfew continues to be imposed are Iewduh or Bara Bazaar, Motphran, Police Bazaar and Iew Mawlong.

Meanwhile, another issue has also put the people travelling to Mizoram, especially the labourers, mechanics and such other persons who go there as daily wage earners to immense problem. Initially, the ILP charges for entering the state of Mizoram was Rs.20, which was later increased to Rs.100 per person. From Rs.100, the charges were increased to Rs.120. However, all of a sudden, there has been an exorbitant hike in ILP charges by the state government of Mizoram. At present, for securing a temporary ILP for entry into Mizoram, one needs to pay a charge of Rs.300 per person, which has got a validity of only 7 days.

Also Read: Exorbitant hike in ILP rates for entry in Mizoram pose difficulties for people

On 5 February, 2020, the Deputy Resident Commissioner of Mizoram House in Silchar issued a notice, wherein it was stated, “Vide Notification No.F.22018/1/2020 – HM (ILP), dated 04.02.2020, fees for issuing Temporary ILP (7 days validity) for entering the state of Mizoram will be levied at Rs.300 per ILP with effect from 06.02.2020.”

A youth working with a pharma company said, “Almost around 500 sales people require to visit Mizoram twice or thrice in a month. It is indeed very disappointing for us to pay such a big amount every time we visit. The Mizoram government has made the ILP a source of earning profit. I fervently appeal to our Government in Assam to take up the matter with Mizoram so that the ILP charges could be brought down.”