Editor,
It pains me to see the rampant robbery perpetrated by government officials all through the length of our highways. If you look at the entire stretch of highway from Malidor in East Jaintia Hills to Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi, the highway is dotted with robbers’ headquarters in the form of check gates, police outposts etc. As a businessman, I can say that it is the police, the taxation department officers, Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) officers, MCS officers conducting ‘mobile courts’ etc., who are looting the State and its people bare! Revenue meant for the state coffers are thus pocketed by these unscrupulous bandits of the government while the common man bears the burden of this blatant robbing by these people. It is a known fact that a checker at a taxation check gate ‘earns’ or rather steals upwards of 1.5 lakhs or so a month! Think of how much an officer would ‘earn’! The police outpost in Ummulong for example has even sub contracted the collection of money from trucks to private individuals so as to avoid any complications that may arise. It is known that highway assignments across departments come at a premium price payable to the bigwigs. I know nothing like this can ever be done, but I suggest that officials and their families posted along highways should be made to declare their assets yearly. We owe it to ourselves to ensure this. I hope our social thinkers are reading this to enable a debate on the subject of how a handful of robbers can rob an entire state to the bone!
Yours etc.,
Lamchwa Mukhim,
Via email
Delhi episode
Editor,
Through your column I’d like to bring to the notice of the people of North East region of India that racism is not practiced only in Delhi but in the region as well. Here too non-tribals are killed or assaulted or killed at the drop of a hat in the name funny agitations. The ILP protest recently supported by KSU and other NGOs saw the death of at least three people due to burn injuries. It is unfortunate that tribals are Nido may also be targeted elsewhere in India and the incident in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi is extremely deplorable and the culprits should be punished at all costs, the police in the NE region should also not be a silent spectators of heinous crimes against non-tribals. Political leaders should not support the criminals for votes. If India wants to remain in harmony with all ethnic races and religions, vote bank politics should be shunned. Criminals are criminals. They should be punished regardless of ethnic, religious or political connections.
Yours etc.,
Apurba Bhattacharjee.
Via email
Inhuman acts!
Editor,
I was deeply hurt to know of the brutal act of the Delhites. Where has civiIisation gone? There are provisions for the protection of human rights of scheduled tribes and much more in the Indian Constitution, then why does racial discrimination still exist in the heart of the country where all the top politicians and diplomats are live? But this is not the first time such a crime has happened. Last year a Naga lady was raped and murdered in her rented room by the house owner, but the Delhi police paid no heed the cries of the Northeast people. In fact they misguided/them instead of assuring them security and justice. Some people from Delhi commented on Facebook and twitter that, those inhuman actors are illiterate but that’s not a good argument. Those culprits are not illiterates, but the seed of hatred is sown in their respective homes and societies, due to which such a heinous act is possible. I have come across many people calling me “Hey Chinese” and sometimes as “Hey Thapa” although I have no connections/similarities with the Chinese or Nepali in any aspect except being human and my facial structure. The racial discrimination that happens this time to Nido Tania in Delhi is not just a thing to digest. What is wrong in it if we have colored our hair blue, green, and red, whatsoever? Does it provoke them in anyway? We don’t make fun of those from mainland India when grow beards and moustaches.
Since childhood, in our schools we have been asked to recite the pledge, ” India is my country…all Indians are my brothers and sisters…” We did it with pride. We too cried when the soldiers in the frontiers died, and we also leap with joy when the Indian cricket team wins trophies. Can anyone tell me as to where are those brothers and sisters whom we chanted about in the Pledge? Where are the law keepers? “JUSTICE delayed is justice denied.”
Your etc..
Gingante Eles