Editor,
The current impasse between pressure groups and Government over the Inner Line Permit issue has left the public high and dry. I blame the Government for not taking a stronger line to break the stranglehold of bandhs and night curfews which has engulfed our daily lives. I am surprised that the Home Minister has nothing to say on the nightmarish law and order situation. Everybody on the Government side seems to be in ‘wait and watch’ mode while pressure groups rampage with gay abandon. This is not the Government I voted for, and I will not vote for it ever again. Neither will I vote for UDP or anyone remotely connected with pressure groups. That would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. I will happily make use of the new voting option to reject candidates from these parties – “NONE OF THE ABOVE”. I am sure many will act like me and do the same, come election time. Thank you very much, Supreme Court of India.
Yours etc.,
Richard Fancon
Shillong -6
Front page joke
Editor,
There is an air of excitement among religious circles in our state these past few days and it has a lot to do with the news report carried in one of the most prominent Khasi newspapers about NASA discovering proofs of religious claims in Martian caves. The informed minds of NASA seem to be ignorant of this discovery and are too busy to comment, while true believers do not really need signs and proofs to believe, but that is not the issue here. The issue is that such a report was hot news in our state, and that too, front page material. No one seems to be aware that the news report which was released in July belonged to a satirical website known as dailycurrant which is famous for its humorous false reports meant to be political, social and even religious satires. Sadly, this is the news that gets transmitted to the common masses as credible information.
This gives the concerned citizens reasons to worry because these newspapers do not only present jokes as facts but they also report and deliberate on the sensitive issues in the state; and it is a known fact that they have always represented the views of the elite sections of the Khasi society with regard to any matter because it will be a rare thing for one to remember an instance when the reports or views expressed in these papers dissent the elite’s views. But, we are happy that there are newspapers that check their sources, issue corrections and even give platforms for every voice to find expression. Therefore, without being sycophantic, The Shillong Times should be proud when it is labelled as a newspaper for the ‘ingkhong shyllangmat in the social media because when the cyber-brave hearts do so, they really mean that the paper is refusing to be their domicile, obedient footrest.
Yours etc.
Obadiah Lamshwa Lamare,
Via email