Meghalaya | Surrender or Retire: Is it enough to wipe the blood-stained slate clean?

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TNT | OPINION | Nov 17, 2018: 

There is a saying — Everyone is equal in the eyes of the LAW; But unfortunately, this popular belief doesn't seem to apply in real life and while theoretically, it fits well in every aspect of life, practically it is nothing but a "fancy" and "emotion-stricken" adage to streamline societal affairs.

The recent surrender or "retire" (like the former HNLC's general secretary likes to call it) of Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew has got the whole state talking and I don't mean people appreciating his decision to come over-ground but his "disturbing" statement about his past actions.

Let me remind you that during an interaction with the media soon after surrendering before the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong in Shillong recently, the former militant supposedly stated that he didn't regret any of his past actions/crimes.

Does this mean that he didn't regret being part of an outfit that was once upon a time responsible for the death of so many people, the blood shed and the turmoil. Will he not be charged and convicted for these crimes? Was he not an enemy of the state once upon a time? Or all of that disappeared and was forgiven soon after he crossed over to India from Bangladesh?

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These are some of the few "unanswered" questions that have been raised by the people, especially those who have lost their loved ones in the hands of the HNLC.

They might not come out in the open to question this unjust attitude of the concerned authorities but within closed doors, discussions take place almost on a daily basis even as they doubt the applicability of the laws in matters such as these.

According to news reports, Thangkhiew had proposed to be a negotiator and a mediator for peace talks with banned militant outfit. And it seems the government is, more of less, inclined to accept the proposal.

And if this materializes, what happen next? A chit-chat with the high and mighty, rehabilitation packages, security arrangement and ticket to contest elections? Really! So much so for equality in the eyes of the law!

As a layman, I cannot help but observe the laxity of the law to deal with such cases. It is clear that the law enforcing agencies like the police, who are often sand-witched in between the government and the militant outfits, are not comfortable with the "play nice" drama during the whole process of surrender or retirement.

We have earlier seen what happened with militant-turned politician, Julius Dorphang; Was he ever convicted for the crimes he committed while he was serving as the Chairman of the HNLC? No, he was not punished; in fact, he was welcomed with open arms and was even crowned winner of the 2013 Assembly polls from Mawhati constituency.

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But what happened after that is history. The fact that he is still languishing is jail at present is because of the crimes he committed after he got out of the HNLC. In his case, the phrase — "What goes around comes back around" fits in perfectly.

Ironic indeed for people like us to sit and witness the underlying current of uncertainty in our state while these once infamous militants roam free and act as if they have never committed any heinous crime, caused discomfort to the social fabric of society…

It is a very disturbing fact to learn that none of the surrendered militants (be it from ANVC, GNLA or HNLC) in the past were either charged, put to trial or convicted. I think, for once we must ask the victims of their crimes whether they agree with their surrender and trial, whether justice has been served, whether the Scale of Lady Justice was ever balanced in cases such as these.

I personally feel that our investigation in to militancy related ghastly cases is poor, very poor and our police doesn't have a skill nor the facilities to investigate these cases except for few seasoned and efficient officers.

This simply goes to show that no matter how many people you've killed, no matter how many youths you have led astray, no matter how many public property you have destroyed, all of that will get wipe out and forgiven once you "Surrender".

ALSO READ | From initiating Operation Kyllang to becoming a Rapist: The Irony of Julius Dorphang!

I am not discouraging misled youths from coming to the mainstream, all I am saying is that there should be a systematic approach to dealing with an issue as sensitive as 'militancy' because as far as I am looking at it now — The government's approach to the whole thing is sending out a wrong message.

What is wrong is wrong and if coming overground is the first step, then admitting your mistakes and preparing to face the music is the second step; picking up those broken pieces and mending them together is probably the third step.

As it is said 'No man is perfect', everyone makes mistakes but to own it takes courage and commitment to introspect and learn from one's mistakes.

(The name of the writer has been withheld on request) 

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The opinion expressed in this article is solely that of the writer's and TNT-The Northeast Today may not necessarily agree with the points raised, highlighted in the opinion piece