Editor,
My article, “Meghalaya Could Become Assam” (ST Aug 11, 2012) was incomplete as it was without any comment on the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma’s take on influx. Very recently, on three occasions Dr Sangma had voiced his concern on the ‘burning’ issue. One of them appeared the day that my essay was published. The CM assured that the government is taking steps to check the menace. Let me remind him of two other occasions.
The first time was when he inaugurated the South West Khasi Hills District in Mawkyrwat. He sought the cooperation of the public in tackling influx and infiltration as the government alone is incapable of it, he said. But what is the point in saying what he said in Mawkyrwat? The infant district, is perhaps least affected by illegal settlement as compared to others. The speech should have been delivered in his new home district head quarters, Ampati on Aug 7 last. The South West Garo Hills (or its adjoining plain belt) is the district worst affected by influx. It is a foreign country full of illegal Bangladeshi occupants. Was it deliberate on the part of the Chief Minster in avoiding a mention of influx in his home turf as it would affect his and his party’s prospects in the next Assembly election? Hate to ask, but is this vote bank politics?
The second was on Aug 11 (news reports) when he said that his government is developing a mechanism to check influx. Strangely he is not very impressed with the idea of Inner Line Permit. The ILP, according to him is not effective as migrants are smart enough to gain entry into the state through backdoor routes. True. But I think ILP will help. It will make it difficult for them to enter the hill state. We are closing the main door at least. They know they are not welcome. Any illegal migrant will think twice before venturing inside our boundary. In brief: implement ILP as a supplement for other measures.
Another thing which must be done is to identify the illegal settlers and deport them to their country of origin. I am not aware of any foreigner being identified and pushed back to his/her own country. There have been some cases where NGOs caught some and handed them to the police. But the government and its agencies have not been proactive. The reasons are best known to them.
Your etc.,
Albert Thyrniang
Mendal
North Garo Hills District
ILP : CM’s statement
Editor,
The news report, ‘Govt. to adopt stringent means to check influx’ (ST August 11, 2012) does not inspire confidence in our CM’s statement, as reported, for the simple reason that it is vague. If a more stringent law or mechanism than the present Inner Line Permit/Inner Line Pass (ILP) that is in force in other Northeastern states can be enacted, then, there must be flaws in it. Please, Mr. CM, tell us what those flaws are and how they may be mended in your proposed instrument or mechanism – guidelines. Most importantly how long will it take? If a decade is what is in your mind, then, it would be too late. We would by then be already drowned in a flood of aliens.
We are aware that we need aliens for our prosperity and they need our land to prosper too; but they don’t have to be land owners to do that. That is why we urgently need a strong and satisfactory Land Possession and Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act to replace whatever land Act we have now. More delay means more aliens to swamp us out.
Yours etc.,
Morning Star Sumer
Shillong – 2
Misleading allegations
Editor,
In the news item captioned, “CSWO alleges irregularities in Social Welfare Department” (ST Aug 8, 2012) to the best of my knowledge, the Social Welfare Department, a public sector undertaking, (under the State Government of Meghalaya) had never initiated any proceedings to re-employ a retired employee. Hence the allegations are totally misleading. The post of Mission Director, State Women’s Resource Centre, which is vacant will be filled only on a contractual basis. To fill up that post a regular advertisement was published In your daily dated 18th May ,2012 and was open to all eligible candidates. It was specifically mentioned in the said advertisement that the candidate who would be selected would be employed on a contractual basis. Moreover, the eligibility for application for the said post was mentioned in the advertisement. For your kind knowledge and information in pursuance to the open advertisement a number of applications were submitted to the office of the Social Welfare Department and thereafter a few were shortlisted. No candidate / candidates who are shortlisted have been served with an appointment letter yet.
Kindly verify the allegations before publishing a news item.
Yours etc.,
Margret Bamon
Shillong -1
Editor replies: The allegations were made by the CSWO and not by our reporter as alleged.
Terrific Traffic
Editor,
On August 10 while I was approaching Barik Point and going towards Civil Hospital at around 11.15 PM, a major accident was prevented when three big vehicles plied directly from Civil Hospital junction towards Barik Point, which has been observed by the Shillong Traffic Police as a one way road. Fortunately, a police constable was passing by and managed to control the situation, thereby preventing another unfortunate accident in which three members of a family lost their lives.
As a witness to the scene I informed about the incident to the Additional SP Traffic Mr Herbert G. Lyngdoh over phone. To my utter surprise, his reply was ” Kumno ngan leh ?” (“What can i do ?”).
I do understand that officers and their subordinates perform their duties under great pressure, but when genuine public interest cases are on call, egos are to be kept on hold.
Yours etc.,
Arun Lyngdoh,
Via email