Editor,
Common sense requires context, and the history of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has been marked by incidents of skirmishes and violence. Has this become normalized among the organization’s leadership? Past protests—such as those during the Anti-Uranium movement—were conducted openly, often without masks or fear. One wonders about the current role and relevance of the Advisory Committee within the student body. There is an urgent need for experienced, wise elders to guide such organizations.
While the frustration of the youth is understandable and widely shared, every action inevitably provokes a reaction. Meghalaya, being heavily reliant on central funding, now sees ordinary citizens—those simply seeking jobs or medical treatment—bearing the brunt of unrest and disruptions. A clear line must be drawn for such actions. Students must return to dialogue and debate.
As in 90s Bollywood movies, where the police would inevitably appear at the climax, yesterday’s events felt like a replay. Michael Sheehan, former NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Counter Terrorism, once emphasized the need to remove “dead wood” from the force to create robust policing. If the Special Branch or intelligence divisions exist within our police, now is the time to foster competitive, innovative solutions. Declaring demonstrations as peaceful and allowing free maneuvering through vulnerable areas only reveals a weak mindset. Likewise, fortifying the Secretariat merely to shield political masters is a sign of incompetence. Who, then, will defend the weak and helpless?
The State Security Commission, filled with well-connected and sometimes retired faces, often lacks strategic foresight. Effective leadership demands field analysis, situational awareness, operational experience, and a hunger for knowledge.
For those seeking to understand the challenges of urban unrest, Dr. David Kilcullen’s book Out of the Mountains: The Coming Age of the Urban Guerrilla is highly recommended. It sheds light on the complexities of modern, crowded cities plagued by dysfunctional governance and exploited by non-state actors.
Christopher Laurence Gatphoh
Via e-mail
