Editor,
Kudos to the Additional DGP Mr. Mehta for what he has done. He probably took off a large chunk of physical and mental pressure from Inspector Shadap and Constable Thapa. I believe these few nights had been sleepless and nightmarish for our dear constables at the prospect of facing that Privileges Committee comprising the likes of the involved MLA who was deeply hurt by the fact that these constables had honestly carried out their duty. But was that the correct thing to do for the police top cop? Of course Mr Mehta has inspired all police personnel in our state to follow the shining examples of Thapa and Shadap. The policemen now know and are assured that they have the boss who will bail out any constable who is not cowed down by the rich and powerful. My only worry is that this has set a sorry precedent and we the public can never accept Mr Mehta or any one of his ilk apologising to a politician every time his men perform their duty which is praise worthy and a pride to be a Meghalayan policeman.
As we approach the end of the year, I also take the opportunity as a grandfather of school going children to give a special ‘thank you’ to all traffic personnel from Madanryting to Mawlai, who throughout the academic session had made it possible for school children to reach their respective schools in safety and on time.
Yours etc.,
Wandell Passah,
Nongkrem.
Politically correct noises?
Editor,
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma recently announced the creation of a new traffic wing. He made it sound like a Christmas present which would instantly solve the traffic problems. The reality is somewhat different. By the time the traffic wing recruits personnel, trains and deploys them on active duty, another two years will pass! And is it really going to solve anything just by deploying more manpower? What of much-needed equipment like recovery trucks which are woefully short and always in great demand? What about the weigh bridges on the National Highways which are always causing jams due to their unsuitable locations? Is he going to remove them and free our roads? I think not, considering the fact that the CM has a vested interest in the weigh bridges!
It is a fact that the Chief Minister has been behaving like a mere stooge of the coal and cement barons by allowing unchecked growth of cement industries and allowing the land to be ravaged by the coal barons of the Jaintia Hills. While making politically correct noises once in a while about sustainable development, the CM and his ministers have in truth dragged Meghalaya downhill to a state where the roads are clogged 24×7 by trucks and the environment has been irreversibly damaged through unchecked coal mining. The PWD has been allowed to loot at will which has resulted in the sorry state of our roads. How then, can the Chief Minister talk of development when his government is primarily responsible for worsening the lot of the citizens through rampant corruption at all levels? I do not think the people will be fooled any longer by grandiose announcements from the Chief Minister and the elections will tell a different story this time round. The sooner we are rid of this crooked government, the better!
Yours etc.,
Daisy Kharkongor
Via email
Uneducated VIPs
Editor,
On the recent issue of illegal parking of our so called legislators, I would like to show solidarity with the Traffic Cops who have displayed extra-ordinary prowess in issuing tickets to these VIPs. I am also ashamed with the apology tendered by the Police High Official to these VIPs who are VIPs only because of the votes of us people!
I invite any right thinking citizen of Shillong to join hands with me and protest such kind of act by these VIPs so that nothing like this happens in future!
Yours etc.,
Casper Tariang