Editor,
In Tura Town, militants have been using local goons for extortion sending shock waves among the business community. Reports from different parts of the town indicate that several businessmen, big and small, have, of late, been receiving threats to their lives in the event of their failure to pay ransom. These goons go around displaying pistols openly in the market areas and extortion is assuming menacing proportions because it involves minimal violence as the majority of the victims choose to pay up rather than risk their lives by informing the police.
Considering the situation, I believe, the Tura Super Market Traders’ Association has decided to install CCTV cameras on all floors. In fact they have got permission from the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills who is eager to render his assistance. What is surprising is Tura Municipal Board’s refusal to allow permission to install the cameras. What also needs to be mentioned is that the cameras including the installation charges are being borne by the traders themselves. What then is the problem TMB?
Yours etc.,
Damon Matsrang Sangma
Via e-mail
Confusion in MPSC
Editor,
Recently there was a vacant post of labour inspector advertised by MPSC. In this scenario of unemployment several people filled up the challan and deposited the required amount. However, I was baffled that most of the applicants did not receive any letter regarding the concerned post. Secondly, there are some applicants who received the letter but they had to pay for the examination again, while some others who had received the letter were not instructed how to make the second payment for the vacant post. This clearly shows that there are grave lacunae in the management of the Department.
Yours etc.,
Andy Lyngdoh
Via email
Wake up call for authorities
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily I would like to wake up the slumbering authorities to the open pit lying perilously unattended since last few weeks along Jhalupara-Rilbong stretch of national highway near Mahavira park. A number of vehicles have fallen into it, damaging the vehicle and injuring the occupants. One wonders what it will take for authorities to take notice of the danger this open pit poses. It had taken three innocents lives to wake up the police to enforce round the clock one-way along Civil Hospital. I hope the civic authorities are not waiting for similar incidents to happen before acting this time.
Yours etc.,
Shankar Pandey,
Via email
KSU murder case
Editor,
Whatever happened to the case of the murdered non-tribal labourer by KSU activists? What action has been taken against the culprits? This is not the first time we have seen the KSU being let off by the Govt for heinous crimes. Dr Jenniefer Dhkar in her letter dated Nov 26, 2012 had asked – “Who gave the KSU the license to kill? Most importantly, will the culprits be brought to book so as to deter others from repeating similar acts?” The answer to her first question appears to be “Our Govt” and the answer to the second question is “Never.” If this is the way the Govt treats murderers, then we are on the fast track to becoming the most lawless city in India east of New Delhi! As per the last published reports on this case, only three out of five people involved in the crime were arrested. What happened to the other two? Can the Additional S.P. Vivek Syiem and his crime unit provide an update on this case since it is of public interest?
It would also be interesting to examine the statistics on the number of rape cases in Meghalaya which seems to be going at an average of two per day and climbing! These details too should be shared by the police in public interest including prosecution and conviction details for the past three years. I hope the police will oblige with a positive response to these requests instead of their standard, “see nothing, hear nothing” way of dealing with such requests. In other words, please do not ignore matters of public interest by ignoring public requests which is a seriously bad way of police-public cooperation.
Yours etc.
James Pariat
Shillong