Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor about the Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah ‘threatening’ the shop keepers to remain open on April 9, I am sure that the shopkeepers must have actually heaved a sigh of relief not to lose their day’s earnings on that day and the complete security they must have felt to have a Rangbah Shnong support them cannot be ignored. What he must have essentially done is instill confidence in them considering that in any case the educational institutions in Laitumkhrah were not going to close anyway. How I wish that here in Tura as well we had somebody in authority who could resolutely go from shop to shop to encourage shopkeepers to defy the diktats of several pressure groups who from time to time keep calling hourly, daily and night bandhs in our town.
Yours etc.,
Shirleen AB Sawkmie
Let’s move on..
Editor,
What happened during the KSU sponsored rally on April 4, 2013 is regrettable. Every day as I read the newspapers several people have expressed their opinions against this event. I don’t agree with those who say that this rally is a way of protesting against the non tribal; that Shillong is condoning acts against the non tribal. Some even misinterpret this cause which has given a wrong impression about the indigenous people and the society. I also want to point out that there is no communal tension in our state as alleged.
The rally was to commemorate the “Khasi Awakening Day”, but some youths failed to realize this and their unthinkable behavior evoked such criticisms. However let’s not forget the purpose for which this day was celebrated. Nevertheless, damage has already been done to Shillong and some people are irresponsibly exacerbating it by writing repeatedly on this issue, so much so that it sounds cacophonous. It is in the interest of everyone that we stop here and focus on measures for building trust and confidence.
Let us stop blaming the Government, the politicians or the police. As far as the law and order situation and security is concerned, Meghalaya is at its best as compared to other states. I don’t see any non tribal being subjected to racist violence as alleged by some. Let us not send a wrong message to the nation. In fact, some of my non tribal colleagues from Pune, UP and Assam expressed their happiness over the cordial treatment they received here in Shillong where they leave the work place as late as 9 or 10 PM. Again, when we look around Shillong, shops and other business establishments are owned and dominated by non-tribals. Do you call this racism? Go to Nagaland or Mizoram and see the difference.
Life is normal in Laitumkhrah so let us learn from our mistakes and move on. There are other issues in our state which need our attention. Also let us stop branding any NGO as a terror group. We are peace loving people. The NGOs and every individual should come together for peace and harmony because ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Yours etc.,
Kevin Lanoh
Shillong –1