‘Legislators not above the law’
By Our Reporter
Shillong: The common accepted adage, ‘nobody is above the law’ does not seem to apply to legislators in Meghalaya where the law is expected to be applied for ordinary citizens and the exempt those in power from its purview. Such violations are evident in busy streets where beacon-fitted vehicles break all traffic rules.
Recently, Mylliem MLA Ronnie V Lyngdoh, who is also the Chairman of the Privileges Committee of the Assembly, was found asserting brute power by summoning two traffic personnel to appear before the Privilege Committee on December 20, simply because they refused to allow him to park his vehicle near Don Bosco Square adjacent to St. Anthony’s School.
Whereas, in another case, C & RD Minister Saleng Sangma who had parked his vehicle in a ‘no entry zone’ area willingly accepted his mistake and complied with the law by paying Rs 1000 as fine.
Commenting on traffic violation by legislators, Leader of the Opposition Conrad Sangma expressed his disapproval of Ronnie Lyngdoh’s action.
“It is not correct for a man who makes the rules to break them. It is like setting a bad example for his people,” Sangma observed.
He however, stated that Lyngdoh’s decision to summon the traffic personnel before the Privileges Committee is unclear.
“We don’t know the exact purpose behind the summons. It could have been because of the abusive nature of the traffic personnel that led Lyngdoh to take that step,” Sangma said adding that if the reason is simply because they refused to allow him to park his vehicle in a no-parking zone, then it is very incorrect.
“Mr Saleng Sangma’s reaction to the fine was very mature. He paid the fine and never complained. Every legislator should obey the law,” the Opposition Leader added.
Meanwhile, GAD Minister AL Hek said, “Nobody is above the law. Traffic rules apply to everyone including legislators, so it would be incorrect to disregard such rules just because we are in power.”
Expressing similar views, Mawprem MLA Manas Chaudhuri said, “We are not above the law. If the traffic personnel has done something unwarranted or behaved badly, then it would be wise to go to the police station and report the matter. I don’t think taking the matter to the Privileges Committee is a good idea,” Chaudhuri said.
Newly-inducted UDP member and Jaiaw MLA Paul Lyngdoh said if the report is accurate, then it is a very wrong move on the part of any legislator to act in the manner reported.
“As lawmakers we are expected to obey and respect the law under all circumstances,” Lyngdoh said, adding that as far as summoning the traffic cops to the Privileges Committee is concerned, the Committee is not to be used for one’s personal likes and dislikes.
“A person can be summoned by the Privileges Committee only when he/she has acted in a way that is detrimental to the authority and sanctity of an Assembly,” Lyngdoh observed.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) has expressed strong disapproval against the action of Ronnie V Lyngdoh to summon the two cops who have been performing their duty.
“The law is for all, not only the common man,” CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said in a statement issued here on Sunday.
The CSWO further lauded the action of the two cops who were instrumental in restoring public faith in the Police Department by applying the law without fear or favour.
“What are the privileges that the MLAs enjoy? These have to be clearly defined,” Kharshiing stated.
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) too has condemned the action of Ronnie V Lyngdoh in summoning the two cops who have been discharging their duties without bias.
“In reality, these cops deserve all the praise and acknowledgement from the state government and not punishment,” KSU general secretary Hamlet Dohling said.