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By:

Hridbina Chatterjee

29 August 2024 at 3:43:30 pm

The Northeast’s Fragile Lifeline

Violence and retaliatory blockades on the Assam–Meghalaya corridor show how quickly local grievances can become a regional economic crisis The equilibrium of Northeast India is frequently tested along its inter-state boundaries, but flashpoints that erupt on the streets of Shillong resonate far beyond mere physical lines on a map. When public demonstrations organized by local pressure groups deteriorate into targeted vandalism against out-of-state commercial vehicles, a localized...

The Northeast’s Fragile Lifeline

Violence and retaliatory blockades on the Assam–Meghalaya corridor show how quickly local grievances can become a regional economic crisis The equilibrium of Northeast India is frequently tested along its inter-state boundaries, but flashpoints that erupt on the streets of Shillong resonate far beyond mere physical lines on a map. When public demonstrations organized by local pressure groups deteriorate into targeted vandalism against out-of-state commercial vehicles, a localized law-and-order failure rapidly mutates into a regional economic crisis. The subsequent retaliatory blockades established by transport unions along the Guwahati-Shillong corridor - specifically at key transit points like Jorabat and Khanapara - effectively sever the vital lifeline connecting Assam to Meghalaya. This immediate disruption leaves hundreds of commuters, freight transporters, and everyday citizens stranded, exposing how quickly localized agitations can paralyze the primary commercial artery of the Khasi Hills. Underlying Grievances The complicated combination of socio-economic unrest, employment shortfalls, and ongoing arguments about identity and the rights of indigenous peoples is responsible for the ongoing disturbances. Pressure groups like the Khasi Students' Union have been pushing for reforms in the fields of governance and monitoring of how rules about residency are put into action, as well as insisting on the need for transparency in the hiring process at various government agencies like the Meghalaya Public Service Commission. These demands originate from the belief among the local youth that the presence of corruption in the system, the lack of any clarity in the administration, and various issues with employments deprives them of access to equal opportunities for earning. However, the moment the participants of the peaceful protests start using violence against workers from other ethnicities, and against vehicles from other states, the issue of governance reform is completely overshadowed by ethnic conflict, fears, and emergencies. Cascading Impact The financial damage from this round of hostilities is both immediate and devastating to Meghalaya's development efforts. The tourism industry is one of the key cogs in the state’s economy and provides jobs for taxi drivers, homestay hosts, tour guides, and micro-businesses in hospitality across the Khasi and Jaintia hills. The tripling of incidents of vehicle vandalism, along with the dissemination of video clips showing roadblocks and official warnings against traveling, leads to a rash of cancellations in hotels and discourages tourists. The process of regaining its reputation as a friendly and safe destination takes time and effort, and this reputation can be tarnished in a single day of disorder. When the interstate travel becomes a dangerous venture, the same communities that should benefit from the tourist inflow suffer. The Vulnerability of Inter-State Economic Interdependence Furthermore, the crisis points to the acute vulnerability of the overarching economic ecosystem that exists between Assam and Meghalaya. Neither state exists in isolation, with Assam being the main supplier of critical goods, oil and medical products that enter Meghalaya, while Meghalaya has essential trade routes and markets for businesses of the region. Through this interdependence between the two states in terms of supply and transportation, we see how this mutual benefit is exploited when members of transportation unions choose to impose retaliatory blockades based on vehicle registration plates. Those who suffer the most are the daily wage earners who are not part of the ongoing negotiations or student protests, and are being forced to keep waiting at the border. Reactive Governance The repeated occurrence of such border and transport crises points to a fundamental flaw in how regional conflicts are managed by political leadership. The standard administrative response of deploying security forces, enforcing temporary curfews, forming Special Investigation Teams, and scheduling high-level joint communiqués between Chief Ministers typically functions as a reactive fire-fighting measure rather than a preventative strategy. While top-tier political dialogue between Assam and Meghalaya is necessary to diffuse immediate tension, these high-level meetings rarely address the root causes of public anxiety or the operational gaps in ground-level policing along the National Highway 6 corridor. Without proactive, institutionalized conflict-resolution frameworks, state governments remain perpetually stuck in a loop of managing crises after the damage has already been done. Paving a Sustainable Path Toward Regional Stability Achieving enduring stability along the Assam-Meghalaya axis necessitates a twofold strategy based on effective governance and strict law enforcement. Firstly, the state government should take substantial steps to alleviate the grievances of young people by introducing credible, merit-based recruitment systems and ensuring the availability of employment options outside the public sector. Secondly, civil society organizations must understand that unleashing violence against the trade flow and innocent civilians adversely affects their political credibility. It is vital to treat the unimpeded movement of citizens and goods as a matter of legal obligation. Until both state authorities implement efficient procedures for the protection of transport routes and establish real dialog with all parties involved, the Guwahati-Shillong route will continue to be a source of instability. (The writer is a policy analyst with special focus on the Northeast, maritime security and the Indo-pacific. Views personal.)

A beacon of hope for rural athletes

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

How Akash Shinde transformed from a shy village boy to a prominent kabaddi player

beacon of hope

Mumbai: In the heart of Nashik's Adgaon village, a young boy Akash Shinde dared to dream big. Little did he know that his journey from playing in the muddy grounds of his town to becoming a PKL winner would inspire a generation of aspiring athletes.


“Initially, when I used to play, I would come home with bruises because Kabaddi was played in the mud,” Akash recalls as he enters his fourth season with the Puneri Paltan. And despite his family's initial concerns, his passion for kabaddi burned bright, fuelled by the unwavering support of his early mentors Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde.


His path to success was far from smooth. He faced numerous setbacks, failing to make the cut in his first attempts at various levels. “I fell short in my first attempts at all levels. I went for my senior camp for Maharashtra and fell short there too!”


But instead of letting these failures discourage him, Akash used them as stepping stones. “These setbacks kept me determined, and I knew I needed to try harder and with renewed energy to show the world what I could do and achieve.”


His breakthrough came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik. This performance opened doors, leading him to play in the Junior Nationals and eventually catching the eye of Yuva Paltan, which is the Puneri Paltan’s academy.


The turning point in Akash’s career came when he represented his college in Beed, earning his first chance to play for Maharashtra. Under the guidance of Anil Jagdale and Kailas Jagdale, his skills flourished. His journey accelerated as he moved from Mahindra & Mahindra to Yuva Paltan, where mentors like Sangram and Ashok helped refine his game.


Akash’s PKL debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8 was a moment of immense pride, not just for him but for his entire village. “No player from the Nashik region had made it to PKL or even the Maharashtra team, so it was a shock, a pleasant one, for everyone. The entire Nashik district was very happy. It felt really good,” he reminisces.


But it was in Season 9 that he truly announced his arrival, becoming a formidable force on the mat. In the 22 matches that Akash played on the way to his first PKL final, he scored 139 raid points, averaging 6.32 raid point per match.


His performances caught the eye of the national selectors, earning him a spot on the Indian team for the Asian Games. “I received my Team India kit on the 27th of October. I still remember it,” he says.


The crowning glory came in PKL Season 10 when Akash, along with his Puneri Paltan teammates, lifted the coveted trophy. Albeit playing a diminished role, he managed an impressive 56 raid points in the 13 matches he played. “There was only one target then... we had made up our minds that we had to win the title this season, whatever it took,” he shared, reflecting on the team’s collective determination. Now, Akash stands as a beacon of hope for young athletes from rural India. His message to them is clear: “Keep believing in yourselves and your dedication and efforts.” He emphasizes the importance of loyalty, urging young players to stay true to the clubs that nurture them.


As he prepares for PKL Season 11, his journey from the muddy grounds of Adgaon to the bright lights of Pro Kabaddi serves as a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and unwavering support.

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