Editor,
Human life, more specifically the life of a non-tribal person, has become cheap in Meghalaya. We now have gangs of sick, twisted people running around pouring petrol on people and setting them alight in the name of the Inner Line Permit cause. The victims are always non-indigenous Indian citizens some of whom have been settled in Shillong for several generations. The ILP movement seems to be targeted more at Indian citizens and not foreigners as previously believed. The Government appears unwilling to take proper measures to protect human life and property of non-indigenous citizens. The Home Minister of Meghalaya has come out with a weak statement which does not inspire confidence. She talks about strategies to tackle the situation and claims the situation is under control. This shows she is not serious about bringing the situation under control. It would be appropriate for the Governor to intervene at this stage. President’s rule may soon become the only solution unless the State Government shows some spine and acts with conviction to bring culprits to book. People should be aware that acts which victimize a particular community, sect or religion are condemnable and would inevitably invite reper-cussion. Government will be held responsible if situation goes out of control. It is not acceptable for Meghalaya Government to adopt a casual approach to protection of life and property of non-indigenous citizens .
Yours etc.,
Abhishek Goyal
Gurgaon – 01,
Three cheers to the Administration of Meghalaya!
Editor,
I and several others like me are shocked at the inhumane acts being carried in the picturesque town of Shillong. It is evident that a group of brutes are out on a rampage targeting peace loving non-tribal dwellers of Shillong. My only question is – why has the district administration failed to nab the criminals who have no fear whatsoever to come out in broad daylight and commit such barbaric acts. Who are the potential criminals in these cases isn’t a matter of debate for it is self-evident. Point is the administration has failed. Over the past several weeks this esteemed paper has been publishing letters from concerned citizens appealing for peaceful celebration of Durga Puja and Id. All appeals have fallen to deaf ears for no steps have been taken to curb the callous acts of violence.
Kudos to the admin-istration! Continue to be in your deep slumber and wait till the miscreants start burning down the entire town.
Yours etc,
P Dutta,
Via email
Nepotism and DIPR are synonymous
Editor,
Nepotism seems to be the order of the day, especially when it comes to a certain department of the state government. Yes, I am referring to the notorious Directorate of Information and Public Relations, a department known for restricting the ambit of its recruitment only to the kith and kin of the officials in the department and the offsprings of political bigwigs. Recently, the department conducted a walk in interview for the post of Sound Assistant in the award winning Meghalaya Integrated Information System (MIIS). While the department had specified education in sound as one of the criteria for candidates, it seems that the candidate who finally got the post does not even possess the necessary qualifications. Sources within the department revealed that the candidate does not even know how to operate sound editing software which is a staple for the job. It was further learnt that the candidate is related to a lower ranking official in DIPR. Other candidates with the desired qualifications were over looked and once again, family ties and not merit has been considered as the basis for recruitment in this department. Is anybody listening?
Yours etc.,
R Lyngdoh,
Via email
Shame on us!
Editor,
Shame, shame to all of us because by burning someone for no reason we have proved that we are tribals living in a backward State with retarded people who do retarded things to make the life of others a living hell. So what are the pro-ILP pressure groups and the political parties supporting it goin to do now? Take responsibility for what happened or are they going to deny (as usual)? Is the Government doing enough for the safety of the general public? What is going to happen to the other Meghalayans outside the state because of the retarded mind of a few here?
Citizens of Meghalaya I think it’s high time that we the public fight for our freedom from the dominating and dictatorial attitude of the pressure groups.
Yours etc.,
James Jyrwa,
Via email