Fallout of militancy - Williamnagar residents find renting houses difficult in Tura
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Shillong, July 22 2014: Militancy has become synonymous with the Garo Hills region with East Garo Hills (EGH) quickly being known as the hub of militant activity.

Militancy has kept the entire region on the edge, mainly due to the presence of Over Ground Workers (OGW) of various outfits.

These OGWs have been moving through towns and villages and renting space for gathering information which they then provide to the groups for extortion.

The police have apprehended many of these OGWs from the town of Tura, most of who were living in rented accommodation.

The fallout of these activities has now been that genuine residents of Williamnagar are now being denied rent in the town because of fear that they could to be linked to various outfits.

One resident of Williamnagar, who did not want to be named said, "Recently, I went to rent a house in one of the localities of Tura from a doctor who had operated earlier on me.

The first question he asked was where I was from.

On being told that I belonged to EGH, he made excuses that the house was not ready and it would take time!" .

For now only college going boys are allowed rented accommodation, that too after proving that they are genuine students of Tura colleges. "Earlier, even during the time of the ANVC, people would consider EGH to be the hub of militant activity.

After the cease fire, most of them were found to be from the town of Tura.

Whether, our district's reputation is deserving or not is another question altogether," said S N Marak, a resident of the town of Williamnagar.

Another resident of the town, Roger Marak feels that residents of Garo Hills always face an uphill task even when trying to rent houses in Shillong as most are turned down due to the problems the regions' reputation entails.

"90% of the time we have to face uncomfortable questions and then rejection.

Seemingly, no one can be trusted and it is better for the landlords not to take a chance.

It is an uphill task and only students get the benefit of the doubt," he said.

"I needed a place to stay as I travel a lot between the towns of Williamnagar and Tura, sometime staying overnight in the town.

As accommodation is costly in hotels, I tried to get a room to stay in.

Till now I have not been able to so," said another person who did not want to be named.

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