Editor,
It appears that the bold stance taken by your paper against the reactionary elements of the Khasi society has really caused inconvenience to many, yet it has been an indispensible platform for those who stand for a progressive society, for those who wish to see the society becoming a part of the larger world and for those who had to volunteer silence for so many years. The most significant accomplishment, however, is the fact that your paper has succeeded in showing to the world that cavemen do not rule here without contest; that we as a society are progressing forward, brave enough to stand in the way of crass parochialism.
It is true that cavemen cannot pinch, their crudeness prohibits them, therefore there have been those who with ‘finer fingers’ have stepped in to assist, who have set themselves as ideologues for the reactionaries. Shouldn’t these be more concerned with revising and reforming society? Shouldn’t they be working for building up and elevating society, enabling it to exist and co-exist with the larger community? What they have done seems to be more towards accessorising caves rather than giving our society the forward push much needed!
Change is inevitable and society will move forward. As the saying goes, ‘the Neanderthal runs scared for now the Homo sapien comes’, but till then, it is a joy to see your paper standing up for the larger interest of society, putting forward critical views which are desperately needed but are very much deficient in our society and refusing to have its wings clipped.
Yours etc.,
Obadiah Lamshwa Lamare,
NEHU
Much ado about land acquisition!
Editor,
Apropos the news item regarding opposition of certain NGOs against proposed acquisition of land for the New Shillong Township ( ST, 28/05/2013). I should thank God that there was no opposition for acquiring the land for the Shillong Bye pass, otherwise we would not have eased the traffic jam in the National Highway portion of Shillong Town. Now that there are over smart NGOs who oppose the construction of Four Lane at Umsning, we are left with half baked four-laning project. Don’t these NGOs realize that Shillong has become saturated?
We should not encourage further growth in a small town like Shillong. We have enough experience in traffic jam, congestion, lack of greenery, narrow lanes, lack of fresh air and Shillong is getting suffocated by the day. The only way out is to expand the township and now that the Government is trying to accommodate more and more national institutions in the New Shillong Township, one should encourage the proposal. When the new Assembly building is completed at the New Shillong Township obviously other government Departments will follow suit. We will have another beautiful ‘Hill Station’ at the New Shillong Township. More over the local tribal population residing in and around the Shilliang Umkhen will be greatly benefited. Even now hundreds of local tribals are being employed in NEIGRIHMS, Civil Defence Department and hundreds of them are getting gainful employment in shops, contract works, etc out of the various projects under progress in the New Shillong Township.
We should not oppose this noble cause on the pretext of imaginative fear. As if when the new Shillong Township is completed it will be filled with non tribals! This is a fictitious fear which should be brushed aside by the society. All right thinking citizens who want to move forward to a better future should support the project.
Yours etc.,
Born L Lyngdoh
Shillong-8
Lawlessness in Garo Hills
Editor,
Insecurity rules Garo Hills. Fear grips it. We have almost reached a state of lawlessness. Militant outfits are mushrooming with the birth of splinter groups. While some have a free hand in extortion in their ‘strongholds,’ other goons and anti-social elements (fake groups) take advantage of the deteriorating situation to demand money from petty shop keepers and businessmen, ‘job card overseers, meagre wage earners and ordinary people. Thier modus oporandi is either through SMS or by calling up a particular person. They have small (toy) pistols and knives as tools to threaten.
Big businessmen pay up. They make up by manipulating the maximum retail price (MRP). Government officers too make up by corrupt means. Its is ordinary people who bear the brunt of militancy even while trying to make both ends meet.
The government is directionless. It is clueless to deal with the present situation in in Garo Hills. It does not have a policy to tackle the menace. Worse, it is crystal clear that the different groups that thrive in these hills have political support. Home Minister toured Garo Hills recently but nothing seems to have come out of it as far as dealing with militant groups is concerned.
If things don’t improve we are going back to the Dark Ages of Might is right.
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang
Mendal
North Garo Hills