Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
Former police officer, and Meghalaya state unit Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) spokesperson, Mariahom Kharkrang has said that one of the reasons for youths joining militant outfits is the lack of job opportunities while adding that this often leads to nowhere.
“It is not like 30-40 years ago when most of the states (in North East) had militant outfits. We are seeing for the last 20 years it leads to nowhere and even the powerful groups are becoming weak,” Kharkrang told a few reporters, here.
Kharkrang said that these youths who are joining militancy see that after being in the outfit for 10-15 years they come back to the mainstream and are rehabilitated by the government.
The former cop said that the stakeholders, including the government, should have a relook on the issue of rehabilitation.
He also praised the state police for nipping in the bud the National Liberation Council of Nongkyndong (NLCN) and hoped that this new group would be totally wiped off before it can pose any danger to society.
Kharkrang also said that both the police department and the government should find out what are the reasons for forming a militant outfit.
When asked why juveniles are also joining these groups, the former police officer said that they are vulnerable since they are not mature.
He said that such youths are gullible and do not understand the consequences and are mostly used by those who are older than them.
Kharkrang also said that his experience showed that some of those who join militancy are school dropouts and they are susceptible to be lured into joining such groups.
The former cop also said that another reason could be the lack of education opportunities in the rural areas and youths who are not able to further their studies feel left out.
“Those with means come to the urban areas for their education. But for those who are unable to, they remain in the villages with no prospect,” he said.
He said that the migration of rural dwellers into the cities shows that there is a lack of opportunities in the villages.
“This is making the youths lose hope and therefore the government and the police should look into this aspect,” Kharkrang said.