Editor,
It is simply shocking to that the BJP MP,Tarun Vijay has submitted a petition to the Chairman Human Rights Commission on the “grave violation of human rights of the minority Seng Khasi tribals of Meghalaya.” The petition goes to the extent of instigating with these words, “Is the Government waiting for the Seng Khasis to turn violent…” a bad premonition of things to come. Firstly, are the members of the Seng Khasi separate from Khasis in general? And can Tarun Vijay do this without proper information from our Seng Khasi friends whom we admire and respect (eg bah Sumar Sing Sawian etc)? And if the BJP comes to power what awaits these hills?
Yours etc.,
Rasputin Bismarck Manners
Kolkata
Collapse of bridge
Editor
The news item with photograph captioned, “Under construction bridge collapses at Akhonggre, Tura”, dated (ST January 6, 2014) is shocking and condemnable. It shows lack of technical competence in the construction of the reinforced concrete cement (RCC) bridge at the mentioned site. The incident also shows the utter lack of responsibility of the PWD in executing an public utility. Thank goodness it occurred in the initial stages of the construction else it may have put the lives of many innocent people at risk while commuting across the bridge. Who will take responsibility for the unfortunate incident? Is it the fault of the contractor or the feckless and tainted engineers of PWD? In 2013 one can recall the infamous incident in Williamnagar town, where another bridge which was under construction (in which the concrete mix was just 2-3 days old) also collapsed, taking down with it the Junior Engineer of the PWD and killing him on the spot while he was on inspection duty. How many more innocent lives must be sacrificed to such callous and corrupt practices? Haven’t the PWD learned anything from the past incidents? The District Administration must expedite the process of magisterial enquiry on the incident as early as possible and blacklist the culprit/s who was/were awarded the contract for construction of the bridge and book him/them as per the law of the land. Also the blame goes to the engineer in-charge, PWD who was entrusted to supervise over the whole process of civil works and the construction of the bridge. Justice must prevail. The guilty must be punished as per the law.
Yours etc.,
Shoshon A.gitok Sangma,
Via email
CM’s mansion
Editor,
It makes interesting reading on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the hallowed Assembly building of Meghalaya which was burnt to cinders that the CM of the State lives in such opulence while he and the entire assembly of elected representatives still do not have a land identified upon which to build what should be the heart, the image the character and the personality of the State!
Yours etc.,
Dr Valencia Myrboh,
Via email