The agitators had therefore taken to the streets byholding bandhs, shutdowns, office picketing in a bid to pressurize the Government. The Government on the other hand had rejected outright the implementation of the ILP on the floor of the State Legislative Assembly during its autumn session. The periods of the bandh calls were intensified, thereby forcing the people to remain indoors in the face of a huge economic loss.

Leaders during the anti – bandh rally in Shillong expressed the seriousness of issues like influx but at the same time, they had urged upon the agitators not to hold the people at ransom.

Such a situation had especially affected the tourism industry on the benefits from which the State relies heavily upon. These agitations had been going on since last August with no respitewhatsoever which have hit hard the tourism sector of the state. Tourist passengers through the direct Shillong – Kolkata flights have dropped considerably and also the hotels in the capital Shillong are half empty which would have otherwise been full during this festive season. Tourist spots retain a deserted look as people from outside visiting these spots have dropped considerably by 70 to 80 per cent. The small – time shopkeepers of food and souvenir stalls, especially in the Shillong – Cherrapunjee circuit are now facing a hard time as there is just a trickle of tourists visiting this rainiest spot in the world and other surroundings of lush landscape, waterfalls, limestone caves and especially the Thangkarang Park overlooking the plains of Bangladesh.

The most important to Shillong during this period of agitation was the visit of the President of India himself Pranab Mukherjee who was in the State capital on the 21st and 22nd of October. The President was greeted by empty streets, except for children playing cricket, football and cycling along the city’s normally busy main streets. This time, it was not an ILP related bandh but a 36 hour long band called by the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) advocating for a free Hynniewtrep land outside India comprising the Khasi – Jaintia Hills. It was a rare occasion however, that during this bandh, many people responded to the call of the Informed Conscious Responsible Existence (ICARE) group, staging a public show in the heart of the city at Khyndailad where reknowned artists performed songs and dances. The ICARE organizers however announced that this music rally was not against the issues such as the ones concerning influx, but the main aim was against continuous agitations, especially bandhs. This public defiance against bandhs and other forms of agitations was also witnessed in neighbouring Garo Hills when hundreds of people took to the streets protesting against the extended bandh calls by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) outfit, struggling for a separate Garo State or Achikland.

Leaders during the anti – bandh rally in Shillong expressed the seriousness of issues like influx but at the same time, they had urged upon the agitators not to hold the people at ransom. The organizers at ICARE had therefore been able to send a clear message and signal that confrontation is not the solution to any problem of the people and the society. The ICARE leaders had also explained that they were not against anybody but stood for the revival of the right to freedom of every citizen and to give a platform for the common man to air out their grievances. Peace should be given a chance and that the society should be free and independent.

It is on these very principles and sentiments that the visiting President of India Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing the conclusion of the State Legislative Assembly, exhorted the sixty Meghalaya legislators to reduce divergence and expand convergence. The President had highlighted that the civil society groups and non – governmental organizations also have an important role, to express the views of the people while the duty of the Government of the day is to respond effectively and engage in dialogue. The President emphasized that difference can be resolved only through dialogues and that disruptions should be avoided.

This was therefore the position of what the President had given to the political leadership so as the Government does not remain obstinate to the demands of the civil society and also at the same time that the agitation leadership should also consider views that would serve the interest of the influx issue that can be incorporated in achieving a desired solution. There is therefore need for an ego shedding on both sides as a standoff situation can lead nowhere but will rather only create more complications.

The only difference on the issue of influx is regarding what is the best measure to be executed. It can be seen that there are various laws operating in the State on other matters and subjects besides influx. Yet, there is a glaring lack of effectiveness in the implementation of these laws. On the other hand, there is less concern and cooperation from the people who are probably unaware or remain unconcerned. There are laws concerning the environment such as on the mining of minerals, there are laws on the protection and preservation of forest land, there are land holding laws, laws on trade and issuing of trade licenses and yet, most of these laws have loopholes and do not serve the desired purpose.

Influx is a crucial and serious matter where nothing should come before the bringing about of a foolproof legislation having Constitutional standing. Influx is a matter which should be primarily addressed by the grassroots level of indigenous administration such as the Dorbars at various levels empowered by the Constitution of India itself. The State Government, District Councils and other administrative setups can work in tandem with the grassroots level administration with effective laws in containing influx and migration.

In the meantime, any form of agitation and adamant attitude and demand should be kept aside for a dialogue.

U Sumar Sing Sawian