Editor,
This is the autumn of our discontent and to borrow a phrase from the title of John Steinbeck’s novel it is heading towards “a winter of our discontent”. The air is thick with negativity and the smog has the smell of charred human flesh. Most of us are sick of the restraints put on our freedom but it will not be surprising to find that some people will actually be celebrating such an atmosphere. They have held everybody to ransom and must be feeling victorious.
But theirs is a hollow victory and can only be celebrated in some dark dingy room with a few cronies and plenty of alcohol. It is also a short sighted and a selfish victory. If they truly feel that ILP has the blessings of the local populace then referendums actually need to be held. Not one but two. Let us also propose an outer line permit for people to travel outside the state. After all if a culture needs to be preserved allowing people outside the state will only dilute it. I am sure the rest of the country will vote for it with a thumping majority.
We the non tribals can go back and allow this area to be like the Andamans where the Jarawas are prevented from any outside contact. I am sure everybody -both tribal and non tribal, NGO’s and governments can agree to this solution to the impasse. After all who gives a fig leaf for the minorities? Let us all pander to the populist (though not necessarily the sane) view.
Yours etc.,
Paramjit Bakhshi,
Via email
KSU and unlawful activities
Editor,
It is evident from various reports in the local dailies of Shillong that the overwhelming majority of the population are literally frustrated with the activities of the Khasi Students Union, though silent voices of consent can be heard from an insignificant section of self-serving, interested folks, more out of fear than of anything logical. It is high time the Government reins in the KSU who are most certainly supported by some of our not-so-popular political representatives, again for their own selfish interests. The most logical route would be to take a head count of all the students enrolled in the local colleges in the state and establish those who are active members with the KSU and determine whether this so-called Union does have factual students as their members. Obviously the public know the KSU too well and who are among their membership. If the Government has the spine and spirit, they can rein in the KSU with comparative ease by simply banning the outfit once and for all. This move will do immense justice to the people of this state who are tired and fed-up with their trouble prone activities.
Yours etc.,
Lewis Sooting,
Via email
KHNAM to approach people on ILP issue?
Editor,
The heading “KHNAM to approach people…..” seems to be misleading because KHNAM will be asking only- if at all they do, – the Khasis and maybe the Jaintias. The Garos have their own do-gooders.(?). Are they going to have a referendum ? Are they going to publish the results ? Are they going to disclose the identity of their respondents ? What genre of questionnaires are included? We must keep in mind that KHNAM’s diktats will only be confined to Khasi and Jaintia region if at all. Playing cheap political games at this juncture seems to be uppermost in the minds of most political parties and NGOs.
Yours etc.,
Nesfield B Sangma,
Via email
Speaking with forked tongues
Editor,
The next round of burning and stoning is set to begin after the Pujas. I can’t help but laugh when I hear of NGOs like CSWO or political parties like UDP suddenly coming out to condemn violence after the immolation incident at Motphran. They have given new meaning and depth to the phrase ‘speaking with forked tongue’. Perhaps they are afraid their role in instigating the violence will be exposed and they too will be arrested. The only saving grace among NGOs is CSWO (I) who have given a thumbs down to ILP. The rest are just hired thugs controlled by some smart upcoming politicians.
Yours etc.,
Dina Sangma,
Tura