Editor,
The special article “Hankering after the Presidency” by Patricia Mukhim (ST 8th June 2012) was excellent. I agree with Kong Pat that it is not right to hanker for something and then use the tribal or the religious card and dream to get to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mr P A Sangma who is now only a district leader in one of the constituencies in Garo Hills committed a Himalayan blunder. Given the fractured electoral college in the country today we have to wait and see who finally becomes the next President.
Yours etc.,
Freddy Lyngdoh,
Via email
II
Editor,
Hundred percent to Patricia Mukhim for her article, ‘Hankering after the Presidency’ (ST.June 8,2012). If this does not scotch sycophancy in Meghalaya nothing will. Seeing a self-nominated candidate clowning before the media to canvass for election is most embarrassing to viewers of Meghalaya. Thank you Kong Patricia for daring to call a spade a spade
Yours etc.,
M.S.Sumer,
Shillong-2
Langpih issue
Editor,
The decision of the young man, Pynskhemlang Nongshlor from Langpih to go on a fast-unto-death from June 30 is a sign of frustration of the people of the disputed area who have been suffering for decades due to the inability of the Meghalaya Government to resolve the issue. We can only sympathize and empathize with him and with the people of Langpih.
Though recently there have been some efforts to create awareness about the plight of the people in border areas like the token ‘sit in protests’ by politicians and a signature campaign by some young people, but people of disputed border areas have been suffering alone for a long time. How long can they suffer? The Meghalaya government has miserably failed to settle the border disputes. It cannot give a befitting reply to the aggression of the Assam Government which kills our people and bulldozes and demolishes our structures. We remain mute spectators! Nothing has come out of the numerous meetings between the two neighboring states. In the future too nothing can be expected from a government which even allows the Chief Minister of another state to have his official residence in our land. Hence, the desperation and frustration of people like Pynskhemlang!
Yours etc.
Albert Thyrniang
Tura, Mendal
Who rules the State, KSU or Government?
Editor,
Over the years I have been haunted by this strange but true question, “who rules the state of Meghalaya? Is it the so called KSU or the Government? Each time I flip through the pages of the newspaper, I see the KSU in the forefront opposing and creating havoc in the state of Meghalaya. They have made it a slogan to oppose any development in the state and catch the attention of the public by being an obstacle to the people’s growth. KSU is merely a student body and they should in no way interfere into the affairs of the state.
People need to be made aware about how KSU is taking the people of Meghalaya for a ride. I can strongly say that no other state in India entertains any such student’s body if it stands as an obstacle to the development of the state as a whole. By opposing the railway-line in the state, they are indirectly supporting all the truck owners. As an organisation they are supposed to be concerned with the welfare of students and issues concerning them. But what we see in Meghalaya is that, KSU raid the shops of people and beat them up; they check infiltration; they give deadlines to the government time and again; they check the government offices at different intervals, interfere in the functioning of the NEIGRIHMS, NEHU etc.
People should open their eyes and see what KSU is all about and what their motive is each time they raise slogans, especially anti-development slogans. Railways are the need of the hour to bring down the prices of essential commodities. So if railways are good for the people then KSU has no business to oppose it.
Yours etc.,
Steven Jyrwa,
Via email