Editor,
Through your esteemed daily I like to bring to the notice of the general public that in the absence of government transport between Shillong – Guwahati – Shillong or Shillong – Guwahati airport-Shillong, private operators are having a field day. Not only do drivers misbehave but so do fellow passengers. It is particularly difficult for women passengers traveling alone on this four-hour route. An experience of a young lady who recently traveled from Guwahati airport to Shillong in a vehicle driven by one, Shibu Modok is horrifying. She had boarded the front seat of the taxi at Guwahati airport. The back seat was booked by a lecturer couple working in the premiere institutions of Shillong. On reaching Nongpoh at about 7-30 pm, the car stopped near a road side restaurant. The driver simply took out the luggage of the girl passenger and told her to take another taxi to Shillong. The girl was shocked and frightened. She asked the driver why he suddenly changed his mind and how could he leave her stranded in the middle of nowhere in pitch darkness. The driver said that her co-passengers in the back seat are uncomfortable in her company and wanted her out. The driver then pushed this girl into another taxi whose driver was completely drunk. Neither the couple in the taxi nor the driver was concerned about the safety and security of the young girl
This villainous act of so-called educated co –passengers shocked the girl. She happens to be a student of one of them. The reason for such uncivilized behavior is best known to the couple but they ought to be roundly condemned. What’s the point of being teachers when they do not have human compassion? These indeed are the black sheep of society. This sort of hooliganism will be on the rise if transportation to and from the Guwahati airport continues to be the monopoly of private players over whom the law has absolutely no control.
Yours etc.,
R.Dutta
Shillong -3
ILP – a step in the wrong direction
Editor,
The ILP is nothing more than a tool to protect business interests of people who are making a killing out of monopolistic and illegal practices in the state. These include local NGOs, businessmen and politicians who are against development in Meghalaya as that would put their ‘business model’ in jeopardy by-
1) ushering in regulation in hitherto unregulated sectors,
2) opening up the state to much needed investments from corporate bodies in all sectors.
3) putting Meghalaya firmly on the map of development, which would mean more mainstream media attention (an unwanted commodity) and greater accountability (so far non-existent).
The ILP has less to do with protection of indigenous communities and more to do with protection of business interests. If land alienation is the problem, then the land laws should be strengthened. If influx or illegal migration is the problem, then a combination of measures can be adopted to check the problem. On the other hand, the ILP is the equivalent of cutting off a limb to cure a boil. It will ultimately kill all development in the region which is what the pro-ILP lobby wants!
Yours etc.,
Larry Lyngdoh,
Bangalore
Parking in RR Colony
Editor,
I have been staying in RR Colony of Shillong for the past 35 years and witnessed the change in attitude of the people in and around of the locality. In spite of repeated requests from the local headman for more responsible parking and behaviour the scenario has not changed in the area. I have read other letters in this context. The couldn’t care less attitude of most residents is disgusting. Both the owners and drivers of vehicles park their vehicles without any respect and concern for the residents of this locality. Perhaps this attitude correlates with their education and upbringing. I would draw your special attention to the parking of local taxis on both sides of the RR Colony main road while the drivers are sitting in the tea stalls and ignoring the inconvenience caused to other vehicles and pedestrians. It is reported that the cab drivers even ignore the passengers who request them for emergency requirements. Local taxis should be totally banned from parking in the said areas in RR Colony by the appropriate authority. I urge upon the RR Colony headman to be more stringent in dealing with drivers of local taxis.
Yours etc.,
Anjan Kr Das,
Shillong-6