Editor,

Of late an organisation called ST Bachao Andolan has been active and seems to be our protagonist and saviour, though it is unclear whose brainchild this movement originally was. I am not getting into the merits and demerits of the organisation, its functionaries, and leadership. However, the movement needs a discourse among all of us.

Each of us knows the rules of the ILP system and the history behind it. There is a more basic question than strict vigil on the preparation and obtaining of ILP. Whatever loopholes that have been seen so far in the ILP issue is just an administrative issue. A few officers and officials take advantage of illiterate non-tribals and extract some money, thereby causing loss to the government’s exchequer. ILP does not bar anyone; it simply requires individual to follow procedure. Anybody following due process can opt for ILP but illiterate non-tribals, instead of going by the process, pay some money and cross the check gates.

Let’s assume that everybody follows due process and gets ILP. Will the movement of ST Bachao Andolan make any difference to society? A strict ILP system will not only prevent illegal entry but may increase the state’s exchequer’s fund and clean the image of the police posted at check gates. A few might confuse ST for ILP. The concept of ILP is older than ST but not older than tribals.

What are more important than ILP are social, economical and demographic changes that need to be taken up. What we need are associations of Arunachali (ST/Tribal), like ST Plumber Association, ST Electrician Association, ST Mason Mistry Association, ST Drivers’ Association, ST Manual Labour Association, ST Security Guard Association, ST Computer and Mobile Repairing Mechanic Association, ST Fridge, Air Conditioner Repairing Mechanic Association, ST Tiles and Granite Fitting Expert Association, ST Barbers’ Association, ST Cobblers’ Association. Do we have such associations? The answer is a big no.

Likewise, do we have ST Opticians’ Association? Answer is still no. The list is not exhausted. What we have are only white-colour job seekers, and unemployed associations and most of them are unemployable, that’s the harsh reality.

If you have this and you have your labour of dignity then only can you save ST. Only ST Bachao Andolan cannot save the state. Regain your labour force, you regain your state. You don’t have to depend on non-tribals for work once you don’t need their services. They will just be  visitors in our state.

Unfortunately, in the age of Facebook dominance, people get carried away by raw emotion and launch movements without understanding the structural foundation. A state like Mizoram is said to be an ideal example. You will find local Mizo youths working proudly as cobblers or barbers. In our state, vegetable vendors are ready to throw away tons of rotten unsold vegetables but will not sell local vegetables at cheap price. Most interesting, the roadside vendors consider every car owner to be a rich man and are never ready to bargain and sell vegetables and other local products at cheap prices. Ultimately what we do is buy cheap Harmuty/Silapathar/Tinsukia/Tezpur vegetables, which are comparatively cheaper than local wild vegetables.

In conclusion, the ST Bachao Andolan is a good concept, but is it on the right track? That remains the million-dollar question.

Bojum Lusi Sorum