Editor,
Through your esteemed column, I would just like to say something about the KSU’s pathetic slogan “Khasi by blood Indian by accident”. I, being a Khasi myself am very proud to be Indian, and would like to ask all those who think like the KSU that whenever they apply for any job or admission to various institutions…what do they fill up when asked about their nationality? Do they write Khasi or Indian? And even if they do write Indian, what do they write..by birth or by accident? This all just shows how uncivilized they are. But what is very sad is that it does not reflect on them only but on the entire Khasi society. To add to all that is the barbaric act in Laitumkhrah. What was that fault of those innocent people? If this continues, then in future the Khasi people would have to shamefully put up a slogan ” Indian by blood, Khasi by accident”
Yours etc.,
Serafina Rani
Shillong-14
Where are our intellectuals hiding?
Editor,
I am absolutely shattered to learn about the attacks on defenceless people including tourists, by KSU minions on April 4, 2013. This is terrorism plain and simple, and should be dealt with a firm hand. The KSU has shamed us before the entire nation, indeed the whole world. But this time they have gone too far. Anger and outrage at KSU’s targeted attacks on non-tribals can be felt as far away as Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The nation is outraged and is calling out for justice. The Govt’s reaction has been predictable – more enquiry commissions and no arrests! No doubt the Govt. will attempt to bury the issue by tying it up in a series of investigative committees like it has done in the past. If the Govt. was the least bit serious about taking action, it would have arrested the KSU leaders and put them behind bars first. But then this is the Govt we voted into power, so we have to live with it.
However, even more shameful than the Govt’s inaction has been the deafening silence from the so-called intellectual community of Meghalaya. Nary a one has had the guts to publicly condemn KSU’s reprehensible attacks. Not one! Self preservation seems to be foremost on the minds of our intellectuals when it comes to standing up for attacks on non-tribals by the KSU. Barring CM Mukul Sangma, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Roshan Warjri, no politician has issued a public statement either. They would all like to pretend that it never happened and carry on with business as usual! Through their cowardly silence, they have in effect given a thumbs up to the KSU. It appears we are led by a generation who have neither courage nor morality to stand up for right against wrong, for the weak and the oppressed against the tyrants. This is the hallmark of a doomed society.
Yours etc.,
Daisy Kharkongor
Shillong
Laitumkhrah shutdown
Editor,
So here we go again. Laitumkhrah elders decide to shut down in protest. When will the elders and people of Meghalaya realize that Shut Downs and Strikes do not solve the problem. Who actually suffer are the ones who should not. Why not have a full opening and show what you want. Would not the message go further to open all things up till late at night and show no fear. No I guess not. Instead by shutting down we only prove that the perpetrators have achieved their goal.
Yours etc.,
James Perry,
Shillong-8
Govt should ensure security of Indian nationals
Editor,
I was appalled to learn about the violence against Indian nationals in Shillong on 4th April, 2013. My understanding is that the violence was an offshoot of a procession taken out by the local Khasi Students Union to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Union which coincided with “Khasi Awakening Day”. What is worrying to me personally and a cause of concern for the Indian Nation, is that the violence by the Khasi Students Union appears to have had racial overtones against Indian non-tribal people. This is a disturbing development in an otherwise peaceful state. Even more disturbing is the utter failure of the state law and order machinery which, to date, has not taken any steps to apprehend the rogue student union leaders. It is imperative that the Govt. of Meghalaya takes immediate action to defuse communal tension through tangible confidence-building measures to restore the faith of Indian citizens residing in the state. I therefore appeal to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the safety and security of all Indian nationals in Meghalaya, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. I also appeal to the residents of Shillong and the Khasi Community to shun all forms of communal tension and maintain peace and harmony so that the good name of Shillong may be restored to its former glory.
Yours etc.,
Varun S. Gandhi
New Delhi
via email
Stop preaching Mr Chief Minister
Editor,
Apropos your news report ( ST April 8, 2013) “Govt will be firm in enforcing the law, CM asserts”, I take strong exception to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s sermon about the “command of God”, etc., He has not condemned the KSU outright. Instead he has hedged his words and made a general statement about law and order. I wonder how he would have reacted if he was a shopkeeper in Laitumkhrah instead of a VIP? Would he have made such condescending remarks then? When Mukul Sangma is famous for turning a blind eye to wrong-doing by protecting scamsters and thugs, how dare he preach about God’s command? It is because of his refusal to take firm action against goons, rapists and terrorists that law and order has reached its lowest point in Meghalaya under his rule.
Yours etc., y
Carlton Marak,
Via email