Editor,
Recently, these facts came to my attention: The aide de camp of the Governor was traveling, in the company of two other men and two women in a vehicle which was struck in the rear by a truck on the GS Road after dark. None of these persons were able to get the license number of the truck, or give other sufficient identification of the truck, which fled the scene, and was not pursued by the aide de camp, nor apprehended. No one was physically injured and the government vehicle remained operable. The police handled the matter within the normal requirements of police procedure and were on the scene within 15 minutes. However, the aide de camp was not able to telephone a higher official of the police, and apparently complained to the Governor. This police officer has now been transferred.
The Common Law Side: In the middle ages the western world saw a struggle between the barons and the king to establish the fundamental rights of men, and prevent abuses of power. From this struggle came the Magna Carta series of documents which placed the king (the executive branch of government) under law. This meant the king could no longer act in an arbitrary and capricious way. The days of the Queen of Hearts shouting “Off with their Heads!” were over (Alice in Wonderland). In “modem-speak” this struggle produced the legal concept of due process. The due process concept guaranteed, among other things, that no employee of government should be punished without a notice of charges, the right to a hearing, the right to produce witnesses, the right to cross-examine, the right to an impartial trial of fact, and the right of appeal.
Even more fundamental was the requirement that the employee be guilty of a violation of statute, case law, or administrative law. The government could not punish an employee without legal cause. The days of punishment against civil servants for private or political reasons were over.
The Church Law Side: Wikipedia reports the seven deadly sins as wrath, greed, sloth, pride. lust, envy and gluttony. It further defines wrath (or “rage”) as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. Retaliation, and revenge, are the usual products of wrath.
Is this proper Governmental behavior? Some citizens have opined that this transfer is retaliatory and summary, a draconian, punishment against the police officer because the aide de camp (and his superior) were not given sufficient VIP treatment. Protests against this transfer are planned. Some citizens have suggested the Governor should have followed due process and explain the proper reasons for the transfer. However, no comment from the Governor or his staff is known to have been made.
What is the wrong? This writer knows of the wrongs and sins of commission, and wrongs and sins of omission, but finds none of them here. The wrong committed by the officer must be the failure to give sufficient homage and fealty to those in power. No matter how we look at these reported facts, the fundamental question remains: Is this the behavior we expect from those we allow to govern us?
Yours etc.,
Dr. Kitbong Publuis,
Shillong – 8
Illegal sale of liquor
Editor,
The recent surge in raids against illegal sale of liquor in some parts of the city by the crime branch of the Police is an eye-wash, as they target only few restaurants and turn a blind eye to the hundreds of joints and shades which are equally guilty of the same crime. It is very easy to make a section of community that has no voice as their target. Every day we read of serious crimes like rape , extortion, incest, child molestation, murder, drug peddling and gun running. They should be controlling such crimes and taking more stringent action against all such crimes. The recent attack on a VIP like Deborah Marak, is a clear failure on part of police information network.
If the police really thinks that all crimes are due to alcohol, then they should propose to the Government to make Meghalaya a dry state and close all wine stores. Perhaps this could then eradicate all crimes.
Yours etc.,
James Syiem
Shillong – 4