Editor,
I am shocked and appalled at the audacity of an individual or a group of individuals who has/have used the ‘Booth’ surname to spread vicious, provocative and false opinions with malicious intent against the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, Mr W.M.S. Pariat – an officer of outstanding repute. I wish to state here that the letter to the editor under the caption “Farewell Chief Secretary” by a so called “Eva Booth” be disregarded with contempt. The Booths residing in Shillong have nothing to do with the writer whose attempts to defame the family name have been viewed very seriously. I urge and request the Editor of this esteemed newspaper to refrain from printing letters written under this assumed name.
Yours etc.,
W.A.M Booth,
Shillong
‘Jaidbynriewism’
Editor,
That the HNLC espouses Jaidbynriewism by calling a bandh on 23rd Dec and stating that “Jaidbynriew is higher than religion” is no surprise. India and Pakistan used to be one nation, but religion broke them. North Korea and South Korea are divided by belief, not blood. Mainland China and Taiwan or Hong Kong are divided by belief, not blood. I can go on and on.
I ask their leaders to go to school first.
Yours etc.,
Broncostar Thyrniang,
Heritage Foundation, USA
Camp: Mumbai
Queer philosophy
Editor,
It is very hard to understand the psychology and the philosophy of most pressure groups. The call of HNLC defeats logic. They have consigned religion called Christianity to a lower rung. Is this the 2nd Phase of “Khasi Re-Awakening” that was responsible for undesirable consequences for the general populace of Shillong in April this year?
Yours etc.,
Nesfield B Sangma,
Via email
Why this bandh?
Editor,
They’ve done it again! Yes this time it’s the HNLC that has come to harass people especially at a time when all are in the mood of celebration. While all are relieved and happy that at least during this festive season there will be no disturbance and no more protests and agitations our peace of mind is short-lived. The HNLC have come to hit us with a bang! A 12 hour bandh called a day before Christmas Eve is none other than a show of insensitivity. Whatever the reason maybe behind any agitation and protest, it must be made very clear that it is the common people that are made to pay a price. At the same time why can’t we think of better alternatives and better forms of protests to realize our demands? Why should one and all be made to suffer?
I wonder if the bandh call is another hoax call that would either be called off or cancelled at the request of the church or others? After all we did taste of such bandh calls two weeks ago! In case it is not, then I am left wondering as to how our lives are dictated upon by a selected few. We are constantly falling prey to the ire of those who claim to be standing for our cause.
I am not a Christian by religion but I have been taught by my faith and religion to love what is ours and to respect what is others. Thus it pains me to read about the call for a bandh at a time when the believers in Christianity are preparing themselves to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ. Rather than being sensitive and considerate towards the feelings and sentiments of the people we have our very own creating unease and uncertainty. The bandh as a form of realizing one’s demand is uncalled for. It only disrupts normal life. I fear that this may just be a way of life for the people of the state. Well it is up to each one of us now to make a choice whether we will acquiesce to the bandh or we will simply pay no attention to it and go about fulfilling our duties and responsibilities. If there is anyone who could actually set us free from all these unwanted and unwarranted decree it is just US AND US ALONE!
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong-4
Who really did it?
Editor,
Firstly, I condemn all kinds of attacks especially the ones that have taken away people’s lives in the ongoing pro-ILP agitation in the State. Pelting of petrol bombs at shops and burning of people alive in broad day light is unbecoming in a society like ours. We must fight for our rights but in an organized way not like terrorists or barbarians where the ‘sword’ is ‘mightier’ than the pen. Secondly, burning people alive is not the solution. Such heinous and inhuman acts reek of cowardice. Thirdly, these actions only create a sense of fear among all. We are afraid of going to a public place, lest we are attacked by a petrol bomb etc. Fourthly, the culprits must be punished according to the law and the crime they have committed. Fifthly, I appreciate the police department for their speedy action in arresting all those suspects involved in various attacks that took place across the city.
However, one wonders if police have arrested the real criminals in the recent pro-ILP agitation? In a state of turmoil many are on the look out to take advantage of the situation. The police have arrested many pro-ILP activists in connection with the ongoing agitations. Many fear that the police are randomly arresting people without any proof or evidence. And the biggest fear is when innocents are arrested and punished for what they have not done. One cannot be wrongfully punished for the crime committed by someone else.
Criminals must be booked and punished and the verdict pronounced only after a thorough investigation. No one should be punished wrongly. One wrong judgment can ruin the life an innocent forever. And the biggest criminal will be the one who passes the wrong judgment.
Yours etc.,
Olivia L Mawlong