It is not without good reason that the BJP is upbeat in Meghalaya these days. Notwithstanding largescale criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation move, a large section of political players in Garo Hills says the noteban move has helped curb the backbone of militancy.
Tura town—the headquarter of Garo Hills—used to suffer a lot as militants often slapped bandh and imposed ‘taxes’ meaning extortion diktats hampering business and also peace and tranquillity. But apparently these are now things of the past.
“It was a brave decision. People of Garo Hills and Tura town especially welcome demonetisation move because it contributed to crush militancy. If this means Achhey Din, we have it here,” says Gopal Tripathi, a Tura based businessman. Tripathi says his tiny shop of hardware and electronic items has been doing brisk business since March 2017 and it is largely due to ban of high value
old currencies.
His views were readily endorsed by others in this township and also adjoining areas. “I also feel insurgency has been curbed especially in Garo Hills as money channel was stopped. Once all the money collected became black, insurgency had to be affected,” says Clive Sangma, a retired State Government employee. Predictably, BJP has decided to go to February 27 polls with this as a major achievement.
“Of course BJP has made Prime Minister’s ‘brave decision’ an election issue. Narendra Modi’s decision on noteban is certainly an election issue. We are confident, people will endorse this. Someone has to bell the cat and our Prime Minister did it,” says local BJP leader Billykid A Sangma, who is contesting the prestigious South Tura seat.
Militancy is one of the gravest challenges in north-east—Garo Hills being no exception—and different sections of people endorsing noteban as a move to curb
insurgency has certainly added feather in Modi’s cap.
The battle for Meghalaya has geared up as BJP’s victory and entry into corridors of power will give the saffron party and NDA the hold over 20th state while Congress’ defeat will reduce grand old party to just three states of Punjab, Mizoram and Karnataka. The Congress party has been pretty strong in Meghalaya and political machinations and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s pragmatism had at one point even overshadowed the powerful PA Sangma, now deceased.
Even NPP leader D Sangma agrees that militancy has been hit due to ban on high value old currency notes.
“Demonetisation has actually left militant groups demoralised,” he says adding hence it is an election issue up to a “certain extent”.
But given the complexity, the NPP leader also hastens to add that matters concerning jobs and education of youths need to be addressed effectively so that militancy does not revive its head yet again.
The Congress leaders however decline to give credit to PM Modi vis-a-vis demonetisation.
“Instead the fact of the matter is Congress Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had taken firm decision against insurgency and this has helped eradicate insurgency,” says a local Congress leader Michael Lyngdoh.
The demonetisation move has particularly helped boost business in Tura and adjoining areas. “Once our Tura town used to shut down every 15 days due to Bandh enforced by militant groups affecting the business. Now this is a thing of the past,” says saloon owner Rajesh Prasad Thakur. – Swati Deb
