Editor,
The other I was pleasantly surprised to read about the heroism that the two traffic policemen displayed by fining a minister for wrong parking. Rules are meant to be rules for every citizen residing in a civil society. Today when the tentacles of horrendous traffics snarls have gripped our hill town of Shillong a wrong parking or violation of basic traffic rules could eventually lead to an utterly unpleasant situation and we would not refrain ourselves from bellowing curses at the traffic police for not doing their jobs well. A good management of any system is a result of cooperation and mutual understanding. The two policemen should have been honoured and their act should have been set as an example for others to follow. But no, these who gentlemen, in truest sense, “have been summoned to appear before the Assembly Privilege Committee”. I am not aware of the rule book which the traffic policemen follow but I can pretty much ascertain that the rules do not have a tiny star indicating “conditions apply”. I do not intend to maim the government. But I wish to know if this is the treatment one is subjected to for a good turn? Truly good begets evil here!
Yours etc.,
Parikhit Dutta,
Bangalore.
II
Editor,
Only in Meghalaya do we have the unbelievable spectacle of policemen who are diligently doing their job being hauled up by our very own Legislature! Even for a country like ours whose citizens have become fed up to the gills with the shenanigans of the political class, surely this must be a new low. Our politicians of course, do not see it this way. As a Meghalayan I hang my head in shame before my fellow Indians. In a State which seems to be suffering from a democratic overdose – there are at times as many opinions on any issue as there are Meghalayans, surely this is one obvious issue where there can be no two opinions. Meghalayans please stand up against this outrage – enough is enough. It’s astonishing that none of our home-grown NGOs and other busy bodies/persons in the State who otherwise shrilly voice their two penny opinions on just about anything and everything under the sun, have so far, strangely kept silent.
Yours etc.,
Alem Langstieh,
Via email
III
Editor,
What is this nonsense about hauling up traffic cops for preventing wrong parking? Is this not a case of legislative arrogance? What is the privilege of an MLA but to be able to discharge his duties in the House without any hindrance. His behaviour outside the House; in this case a misbehaviour, cannot be dragged into the legislative domain. And certainly the MLA cannot claim privileges from being prosecuted for an act that is considered wrong (wrong parking). If the same rule applies to every citizen then who is the MLA to claim the right to park anywhere? Does he cease to be a citizen upon becoming an MLA? Are there special parking laws for MLAs/ministers and other big shots?
On the contrary look at Saleng Sangma then Minister for Community and Rural Development who was given a wrong parking ticket and paid up without a hue and cry. That’s the kind of example that we need. Not the pomposity of some others who believe that the same rules they themselves have legislated are made to be broken.
Yours etc.,
S Lyngdoh,
Via email
Wanted scientific study on traffic jams
Editor,
Traffic jam has become a daily feature on G S road and Shillong city. News papers have reported news of traffic jams on a daily basis and many citizens have been writing letters to the Editor. I wonder if government has given serious thought to the problem, because I have not yet read of any high powered committee meeting dedicated exclusively to this problem in the news papers. (I might have missed it though)
I feel that this is a subject for serious research. Running to the area of jams (very long ones) and trying to clear it will not suffice as we have already witnessed. The by-pass and 4-lane might eventually help, but it is still a long way away. But, now, it needs to be studied thoroughly. It may not be a bad idea for State Government to sponsor a short project/thesis on causes and remedy of traffic jams on G S road and Shillong city by utilizing the services of students from NEHU/IIM-S/IIT-G as their recommendations might benefit us.
Yours etc.,
VSV Prasad,
Via email