Editor,
The two KSU leaders arrested for the 4th April incidents have been released on bail. That is their fundamental right and it was not denied to them. But it almost appears as if Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal has struck a deal with KSU leader Daniel Khyriem not to oppose the bail plea in exchange for lifting the blockade. Otherwise why would the Govt not even oppose the bail plea? Deputy Commissioner Goyal would be well advised that people are watching his actions very closely and any hint of betrayal of justice by striking ‘deals’ would cause irreversible damage to the image of this govt. While this is still in the realm of conjecture, it is beginning to look as if the govt has once again given in to NGO blackmail. We will wait and see what happens. One also hopes that the bail plea of those KSU leaders involved in the heinous murder of a poor labourer will not meet the same fate, i.e go unopposed by govt. Murders should be treated as murders, and not as convenient bargaining chips. We do not want Nazism on our streets. Hope Mr Goyal gets the message.
Yours etc.,
R Diengdoh
Shillong 3
CALM Fest schedule needs a rethink
Editor
CALM, the just-concluded literary festival featured several eminent figures such as Victor Banerjee, Jug Suraiya and Jerry Pinto and we enjoyed their witty and insightful descriptions of their experiences. The book releases rightly featured local authors and the panel discussions were interesting and entertaining. The event was well-organized. Unfortunately, attendance was uniformly poor at all the sessions with huge empty spaces in the pandal. The same small group of hard core literary fans and retirees seemed to be the only attendees. Also, there should have been a book exhibition rather than only one book stall.
To have morning sessions means that working people and students cannot attend. It is a pity that students and faculty of educational institutions missed out on the quick wit and intellectual fare provided at the festival. The festival could have been staged at a different college or university hall each day, with only afternoon and evening programs. Full halls could be ensured, and expensive pandal arrangements avoided.
Yours etc.,
Glenn C Kharkongor,
Via email
State police must adopt newer technologies
Editor,
I congratulate Superintendent of Police M Kharkrang for not bowing to the absurd demand to release the arrested KSU leaders unconditionally. The swift arrests and steps taken to ensure security of the citizens of Shillong is greatly appreciated. This will go a long way in restoring the faith of the public in the police department. One hopes that the trend continues and police efficiency rises to the required standard to meet present and future challenges.
However, the state police must recognize that technological innovation is the key to the future. So far it has been highly unsuccessful in adoption of technology. Whether it’s the ‘never-used-but already-defunct’ traffic signal lights or breathalysers to catch drunk drivers. to name a few, we have seen that the forces of law and order are reluctant adopters of technology in Meghalaya. Another technical innovation which is being used throughout the world as a crime deterrent is the street camera. Every miscreant involved in the April 4 incidents could have been easily identified had cameras been installed at strategic locations in the city. These cameras are used in tandem with powerful face recognition and threat analysis software which make them indispensable to the modern policeman. Why cannot such cameras be installed in Shillong? I request SP Kharkrang to seriously explore the possibility of installing cameras in the near future.
Yours etc.,
Daisy Kharkongor
Via email