Editor,
The report on an errant MLA summoning traffic cops before the Privileges Committee of the Assembly for simply doing a job (not allowing him to park in a “No Parking Zone”) is shocking. The audacity of some great people in this state is outrageous. You have to belong to the privileged class to be able to get away with anything and everything. May I ask what gives Mr Ronnie Lyngdoh the right to haul up a person who was doing his duty? Do we have to have two sets of laws in this State? If the same law applies to everyone then isn’t Lyngdoh part of that “everyone?” It’s disgusting enough to see our MLAs throwing their weights around and misusing their positions to serve their own selves. So what’s next now? Will MLAs and
their wives and children be given the privilege to park in the middle of the road in case they need to buy something or get down at a particular place. Never mind if that creates a huge traffic jam! The public following their vehicles will just have to wait, while the traffic policeman shuts his eyes temporarily so as not to see the crime committed under his nose. After all if the traffic cop does not do that he stands a chance of being summoned like a law breaker to appear before the omnipotent Privileges Committee. When will this nonsense stop and when will legislators behave like responsible leaders and learn to respect the law?
Yours etc.,
Mayvaria Lyngdoh,
Shillong -14
II
Editor,
I am a Meghalayan working in Delhi and the news from my home state these days does nothing to add to my sense of pride and happiness. “Traffic cops in trouble after issuing slip to MLA” (ST 18th Dec, 2011) is an example of my discomfort. Two upright police personnel were hauled up by an elected lawmaker, Ronnie V Lyngdoh or whatever, for doing their duty and for enforcing the law. Inflated egos and pompous idiocy takes precedence over the Rule of Law. It’s so embarrassing when colleagues and friends jeeringly ask “From under what prehistoric stone did you people manage to dig up such creeps as representatives?” A privilege motion was enforced against officials for enforcing traffic rules which the MLAs themselves made. As a reminder to all law abiding citizens, here in Delhi, during the 1982 Asian Games, Kiran Bedi towed away Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s car for a parking violation. The officer was praised for her action. In Meghalaya politicians think lawbreakers deserve privileges. Mr. MLA for your information misusing your privilege is a form of corruption. Dumb call Mr MLA!
Then there is the case of the transfer of an upright MCS officer, MS Sangma, for not condoning the corrupt practices in NREGA works in Mawryngkneng Block. It is further learnt that the same officer, in his capacity as Registration Officer, had refused to oblige another MLA in waiving off registration fees that the MLA was supposed to pay. The officer earned the wrath of our powerful politicians who apparently prefer to side with the darker side of the law. I have a question for our Chief Minister. Both cases cited above involved Congress MLAs. Why is the Congress so bent on protecting those who break the law? Why bully officers especially those who are upright and doing their duty? When integrity is deemed a crime then this Government is encouraging corruption! Mr Chief Minister we have been hearing a lot of promises from you. The time to put your words into action has arrived. Stop harassing integrity. Stop punishing those who perform their duty. Stop giving yourself and your colleagues fictional privileges. Breach of Privilege Motion indeed ! What rot!
Yours etc.,
Clarence Dkhar,
Via email
III
Editor, ,
This is with regard to the report on the two traffic police personnel who have been summoned to appear before the Assembly Privilege Committee on December 20 after they refused to allow Ronnie V Lyngdoh, Chairman of the Privilege Committee and sitting MLA, to park his vehicle near Don Bosco Square. MLAs and politicians seem to have forgotten that they are servants of the people and that their acts of arrogance will only alienate them from the people. The MLA in question, Ronnie Lyngdoh, must tender his resignation immediately and apologise to the two honest and upright cops without fail for this unpardonable act of megalomania, arrogance and misuse of privilege. The soon to be enacted Lok Pal Bill, hopefully, will teach such arrogant, egoistic politicians memorable lessons.
Yours etc.,
Capt Subhashish Majumdar,
Via email