Editor,
Innocent lives have been lost, families displaced and children orphaned, yet the solution to the long and contentious border issue with Langpih and so are other areas of contention is being prolonged by bureaucratic hurdles and political interests between two Congress ruled states, and we will continue to see this being used as an election tool by individuals and parties contesting the coming Assembly election next year. We sometimes wonder that why the state government so inclined and ever ready to buckle under pressure from the Assam government, or is it that the border issue meets more than what the eye can see? The recent statements from the Chief Minister and the Home Minister indicates that all their political talk is a mixture of everything, which is why they do not seem to take a hard stand against the Assam government unlike is the case with other states. Here we tend to show that either we are weak in taking radical decisions or a renter state to be used as a bait. What is the point of talking about so many rural projects when basic necessities and social security is absent? Are we going to see another episode of Langpih elsewhere or are we going to have a political leadership that stands on its authority and right?
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3
Dr Mukul, you’re Garo too!
Editor,
It pains me that, our chief minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, while addressing a press conference, recently in New Delhi, openly criticized and even questioned the credentials of the presidential candidate Mr. P.A. Sangma. He has even gone on record in saying, “I don’t find any reason to rally behind him”, unquote. Now, Dr. Mukul may have political differences with P A Sangma, and these two gentlemen might even differ from one another on various personal or social issues, but, this is neither the time nor the place to deliberate on those differences. Right now, Dr. Mukul needs to remember that a tribal candidate is now aspiring for the highest political post of this nation and that too, someone who belongs to his very own Garo community. One would have thought that Mukul Sangma himself being a Garo would at least extend moral support to the candidature of P A Sangma. In fact, he being the Chief Minister from the Garo community, should show and lead the way, in mobilizing political, as well as, moral support for P.A. Sangma. And if he can’t do that, than in the fairness of things, he should keep his mouth shut, at least till the presidential election is over.
Mr. P.A. Sangma is not playing any tribal card, but he is a tribal candidate and a deserving one at that and as such, he will continue to generate admiration and support from all quarters and may be more from the tribal brethren of this country. I am a Garo and a tribal and I am proud to be so. I am sure Dr. Mukul is equally proud to be one. And in my book, right now, what is more needed here is that each and every Garo should set aside all personal and political differences and come forward, as one cohesive unit to extend their whole hearted support to P A Sangma. I also appeal to all tribal brethren of this country, and all other MPs and MLAs, irrespective of caste, creed or religion and irrespective of their party affiliations, to extend their political and moral support, to P A Sangma, at this hour of need. And for pity’s sake, wake up Dr. Mukul Sangma, it is a one in a life time chance that you have, to extend your support, to one of your own Garo brethren, for the highest political post of this nation. You might never get a second chance again.
Yours etc.,
Urikar Sangma,
Via email
Congress get real!
Editor,
The MPCC President, DD Lapang has openly challenged the credibility of regional parties of which he was once a die hard member. If it wasn’t about regionalism, Meghalaya would have not been created. No doubt the Congress is the biggest party and the most powerful one, however Langpih and Block 1 & 2 still remains an unsolved mystery. We have a Congress led MUA in Meghalaya, a full Congress Government in Assam. Our MP is from the Congress; at the Center we have the Congress led UPA. Why is there boundary dispute at all? At election rallies they talk big and ask people to vote for the Congress. But till date poor Meghalaya has no definite border to call its own. They are still confused whether the official bungalow of Assam CM is in Meghalaya or Assam. A humble suggestion is that whenever they have a Congress ‘baithak’ in Delhi with Madam Sonia, our honoured PM, the Home Minister etc our able Congress leaders from Meghalaya should not shy away from openly discussing the border issue since they belong to one big family tree. Our people are suffering in the border areas. Wake up Congress, solve the dispute first, politics is not about wooing votes during elections; it’s about policies, vision.
Yours etc.,
Wankitbok Pohshna,
Shillong – 11
