Editor,
I was appalled to read the news item, “Rangbah Shnong bribes rape victim” (ST July 16, 2012). Firstly that there are well wishers of the rapist, Umklai Rangbah Shnong Himrose Syngkli and secondly that the well wishers think that a monetary bribe of Rs 1 lakh can actually heal the mental, emotional and physical trauma that the victim whose dignity and self esteem has been robbed is appalling. We cannot even begin to think what the victim is going through but to empathize with her. But what is disheartening is that there are so called “well wishers” who wish to cover up this heinous crime by bribing and threatening the victim. I am ashamed to say that we belong to the matrilineal tribe where women are sexually abused and threatened if the crime is reported and where our own women folk sometimes even blame the victim. Any form of sexual abuse should not be tolerated be it minor or major. If we do not act and speak out now, today we may read in the newspaper, tomorrow it may happen to our mother, daughters, nieces, sisters, friends, neighbors and then it may be too late. So let’s have zero tolerance towards any form of abuse.
Yours etc.,
R Jennifer War
Via email
Crime against womanhood
Editor,
Women have always been victims of atrocities in all societies including ours. Be it the panchayat diktat against women in Baghpat, UP or the mob molestation of a minor in Guwahati or violations here in our own State. One read the news with distaste, anger and contempt for the deplorable act committed by the Rangbah Shnong of Umklai. How could a man of his stature in the locality and the society stoop to the level of a rapist? What example would he set for the people of his locality? As the headman he is the custodian of the law of the locality, yet, Himrose Syngkli has taken advantage of his position. Added to this is the immoral behaviour of his well wishers who tried to bribe the victim and even threatened her. They would rather protect the criminal and condone his crime than work towards seeking justice for the victim. Have we as a society degraded to the extent that we fail to choose between what is right and what is wrong? Imagine the victim’s state of mind? Not only has she been raped and violated and will bear the pain for life but her trauma is exacerbated when she sees that the culprit is not punished for his crime. The point is, will the violator be punished? Will the law step in? Rape is rampant and will continue to be so if violators and perpetrators are not punished promptly. Sadly justice is always delayed and usually denied.
Yours etc.,
Dr Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong-4
People taken for a ride
Editor
Through your esteemed daily I would like to bring to the notice of the concerned authorities of the State Transport Corporation and the general public my unpleasant experience. On the evening of July 14, 2012, I went to reserve bus tickets for two passengers from the designated counter of ASTC under MTC bus stand located at Jail Road. I asked for the bus ticket from Shillong to Siliguri scheduled to depart on July 16 for my aunt and uncle. The gentleman in the counter first called me inside and asked me to pay some amount in advance. I paid him Rs.200. He wrote a receipt with the seat numbers and on a small piece of paper and handed over the same to me. He then asked me to collect the ticket from him only on the day of journey i.e on Monday, July 16. But on the day of the journey when I went to collect the ticket, he called me inside the counter and said that the bus would not go due to some bandh called in Goalpara, Assam. I requested for tickets for the following day but he expressed his inability saying he was not aware when the bandh would be called off. Another person sitting inside the counter, promptly offered to help me by providing bus tickets owned by a private bus service operator which goes via Cooch Behar. Without much thought I bought a ticket from him. Later, to my surprise, the bus conductor of that particular private bus on which my relatives were travelling told me that there was no such bandh. He also informed that this happens regularly and that passengers bound for Siliguri, who wish to travel by public transport are given some excuse or the other about the inability to provide tickets. I confirmed from my uncle that the bus actually went via Goalpara. From the online media I personally verified that there was no such bandh called on that day in Goalpara, Assam.
My question is, why did the gentleman in the MTC counter tell a lie when there was no such bandh called on that day? Is he being paid a commission by the private bus service operator for diverting the passengers? If there are malpractices they have to be immediately sorted out. I would request the concerned authorities to look into the matter so that passengers are not taken for a ride in this itch to make a quick buck.
Yours etc
S.Chettri
Shillong-2