January 21 is a significant day for the Northeast. On this day, the North East Reorganization Act, 1971 was implemented. Before this Act came into force, Meghalaya used to be a part of the state of Assam whereas Manipur and Tripura were Union Territories. However, Meghalaya along with Tripura and Manipur celebrated its 50th Foundation Day on January 21.
But, Meghalaya which is currently beating the drum needs to consider the menace of anti-vaccine protests and knife attacks on non-tribals as it can be an obstacle in the state’s way towards its development.
Anti-vaccine protests in Meghalaya
Vaccination hesitancy emerged as a big challenge for the ruling government while trying to curb the spread of COVID-19. Meghalaya government is also facing this challenge. The government is trying to reach out to the masses through various campaigns.
Read more: 50 years of Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya, and 8 years of development
But, an NGO named Awaken India Movement (AIM) has been organising rallies across India and Meghalaya to be specific, to protest against the government’s decisions to implement lockdowns, restrictions and vaccinate people to curb the spread of COVID-19. Notably, none of the protestors was wearing a mask, flouting COVID protocols.
Hundreds of people, on Saturday, protested on the streets of Meghalaya against the vaccination campaign undertaken by the state government. The anti-vaccine rally started from Motphran-Them Bijoy-Secretariat Road and ended at Khyndai Lad.
The protestors claim that the state government was trying to take away their fundamental rights by forcing vaccination, mandatory masking and testing and discriminating based on vaccine status. Moreover, they also claimed that unvaccinated may be deprived of rations, prevented from attending funeral services and face other restrictions.
It is pertinent to note that misinformation against vaccines by such organisations, few media houses and opposition has resulted in the rise of vaccine hesitancy. However, ever since the catastrophe of a second wave had unfolded before everyone’s eyes –they wanted a vaccine.
But, the people in Meghalaya are still becoming the victims of misinformation and thus are protesting against the vaccine. In the aftermath of such protests and vaccine hesitancy, the covid cases are increasing in the state.
Knife attacks on non-tribals
Whatever Meghalaya today is the courtesy of the non-tribals. Remove non-tribals from the equation in Shillong, and this city will barely qualify as a state capital.
Despite this, violence and a spate of stabbings on non-tribals have rocked Meghalaya’s capital city, Shillong. Earlier in 2020, 2 non-tribals were killed. Rupchand Dewan, a 31-year old tomato seller from Barpeta, Assam was killed on February 29.
Two stabbing cases were also reported on March 1, 2020. 37-year old Uphas Uddin was stabbed to death at 2:45 AM in his house, while 28-year old Aditya Kumar was stabbed with a broken bottle resulting in his death. A total of seven stabbing incidents had taken place in the capital city of Meghalaya.
Read more: Non-tribals get killed in Meghalaya over ILP demand, while mainstream media blames it on CAA
Non-tribals, have been facing attacks and violation of rights over the past four decades. In fact, the ‘dkhars’ (used in a derogatory sense to refer non-Tribals) faced violence even in 2013 when Congress was in power- both in Meghalaya and the Centre.
In the most recent development, a middle-aged couple has staged a sit-in stir against 40 years of alleged atrocities against the non-tribals in the state.
“Till date, not a single murderer, looter, extortionist, or criminal has been convicted or given punishment as per the law. We, being the citizens of India, are ill-treated here as the third-grade populace,” the couple had alleged.
As per the reports, on January 20, a gang of eight unidentified miscreants had attacked several people at a Shillong locality and one of the victims was allegedly stabbed.
Meghalaya’s situation is disheartening. The Government needs to take cognizance of the matter to prevent the state from chaos, protests and killings and ensure the safety of all.