Mysterious are the ways of the Union Home Ministry. Curiouser are the ways Meghalaya Politicians adopt to settle personal scores. ‘Talks facilitation’ is a case in point.

Purno Sangma, the erstwhile numero uno of the North-East, says he is at the job at the behest of the Centre. Chief Minister D. D. Lapang is not ready for ‘this Brutus’ play with his subjects. So, threatens him with legal action. Sangma beats a hasty retreat from the front line, or so it appears.

Zoramthanga, the rebel turned democrat, quietly steps on the scene. Claims that he too has a mandate to ‘facilitate’. Lapang fumes once again. Shoots off an angry letter to the North Block: Have you authorised any one to open the dialogue with our ultras? Delhi, known for its devious style, ducks the question. It cannot, even if it wants, offer a straight reply.

Even if Lapang is naďve, Home Ministry is not. Talks facilitation is never done under the media glare. Quiet diplomacy paves the way for the negotiating table. This is elementary, my dear Watson!. So, for the ‘record’, rather to set the record ‘straight’ Union Home Secretary clarified on May 14: “We have not authorised anyone to negotiate with ultras operating in Meghalaya”. 

And this is ‘clear and categorical’. For Lapang this was the manna he was looking for. The AK -47 he needed to demolish his rivals with staccato firing. And he did this in style.

“Any one trying to facilitate talks with the ultras without the Centre’s authorisation would be prosecuted for having ‘contacts’ with the militants”, the Chief Minister’s office decreed. Wily Lapang covered his tracts deftly, nonetheless.

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