Editor,
Through your paper I would like to appeal to the young, and young-thinking, leaders in the political arena across the State, to jointly come out, across party lines, with a statement requesting the youth to refrain from communal politics and violence. Your silence is only encouraging the present negative trends that we are seeing across the State. Over the last decade, our State has seen a substantial economic improvement. Yes, there is still a lot to be done, but the present communal turn will negate all the progress we have seen. History shows us that it is consultation and not violence that will bring progress.
Thanks to the efforts of our leaders, our officers, and to civil society, our State has been advancing on all fronts. For this trend to continue, we need peace and communal harmony. We should no longer feel threatened by “outsiders”. One positive trend over the last few years is that our youth have been equipping themselves to get what is theirs by merit rather than by force. This has instilled a strong feeling of self-confidence and self-respect among our people. These two qualities, I feel, are essential to take our State and our people forward. Another positive trend has been the maturity that our people have shown lately. We are no longer easily swayed by emotions. We have chosen instead to act rationally, and this too has contributed to our rapid growth.
Therefore, I strongly appeal to all concerned not to be misled at this stage, by people with vested interests who are asking us to chop off our head as a remedy to cure our headache. Let us not go back to the old chauvinistic, fundamentalist mindset, but let us show that we are ready to embrace the rational, enlightened and progressive mindset that is required in modern times.
The elections are around the corner, and it requires each and every one of us to act carefully and maturely. We have to wisely choose the next Legislative Assembly. Let us not be blinded by raw emotions or we may end up making the wrong choices.
I make this appeal because I love my State and all it’s people.
Yours etc.
R G Lyngdoh,
Former MLA & Minister
Shillong 793003
Modernisation existing Slaughter House
Editor,
Slaughter houses are normally controlled by local bodies, which should follow the standards prescribed, but due to non-existence of modernised slaughter houses, environmental pollution arising out of the slaughtering activities cannot be controlled. The local bodies must, therefore, take up modernisation of slaughter houses and achieve the pollution control norms.
The ongoing Project of the Veterinary Department for improving the slaughter house in Shillong was estimated at Rs 22 crores (approximately). The concerned Department wants to further develop the existing slaughter house located in Jaiaw Langsning (Lad Jaiaw) and is surrounded by different localities such as Lumkshaid, Dymmiew, Sunny hill and Jaiaw Langsning. This slaughter house is in a bad shape and is not constructed according to the requirements of modern slaughter houses as mentioned in Chapter 5 of Solid Waste Management MoUD, GOI Rules 2000. The effluents discharged from this slaughter house flow into the Wah Disoi stream and finally join the main stream of Wah Umkhrah which then pollutes the river.
This project will be helpful in preventing the Wah Umkhrah from pollution. But on the other hand the location of the new slaughter house in Mawlai Mawiong opposite the old landfill site (Marten) is dangerous. This area is outside the jurisdiction of the Shillong Municipal Board and falls under the Shillong Agglomeration area where the traditional Institutions / Dorbar Shnong have full control. People residing in surrounding areas are agitated about the construction of the slaughter house in this area as it will pollute the main stream Wah Umshing by discharging the effluents into this stream. This stream is also the main source of water supply for the people of the area. Even after due filtration people would consider it unsafe for drinking. According to the rules the slaughter house should have constant supply of fresh air at adequate pressure throughout the premises and the location around the slaughter house must be hygienic. This is not possible as the area is only about 10-20 metres away from the dumping site. The foul odour and flies which breed there at the dumping ground will spread all over the slaughter house and contaminate the final product which will not be safe for human consumption.
Yours etc.,
W Diengdoh,
Via email