Editor,
I want to draw the attention of each citizen of Meghalaya to the ghastly and inhuman incidence in Garo Hills in which a defenceless, unarmed woman was brutally killed in front of her family for resisting rape /molestation. This deserves the bitterest condemnation and I think no words are enough to condemn this heinous crime to humanity. The less said of the perpetrators of this act the better. They are satans and do not deserve to be called human. Even an animal kills only when it is hungry or in danger. These hoodlums cannot be compared even with animals. I am at a loss as to why even after so many crimes committed by so called groups in Garo Hills the people do not come out and do the same to them and wipe them out. The government too seems to be in slumber and I wonder when Rip Van Winkle will wake up. Why does the government hesitate to go all out and clear this land of these so called insurgent groups so that common citizens can live in peace? Is our police force incapable of dealing with this situation or are they not allowed to? I pity the system which is immobilised in the face of such brutality. We can only imagine the plight of the husband and children who have seen their dearest one killed so brutally in front of their eyes for resisting molestation. I sincerely pray and hope the so called guardians of society who call agitations at the drop of a hat come forward and do something. Else we may not be able to stop this rot and repent afterwards as to why we did not do something in time.
Yours etc.,
Dr RS Bawa,
Via email
Sodom and Gomorrah in Meghalaya?
Editor,
I empathise with the people of Garo Hills. As though the recent incidents are not enough another most horrific and cowardly act of the GNLA, that of blowing off a woman’s head for daring to resist their lust has shocked the nation. What a way to show the beauty of matrilineal Garo society! This is really a black day for women of the matrilineal society of Meghalaya.
What an irony that the perpetrators name themselves Garo National Liberation Army. Liberation through death or volunteering to traumatise is perhaps what they meant. These terrorists are the real diseases eating the Garo people. The earlier they are got rid-off the better for the Garo Hills. And the only way to get rid of them is to use brute force mercilessly. Not just a mere 1000 paramilitary force but what Garo Hills needs is encounter specialists. The militants must be taught in the language they understand.
What a predicament for the Garo people, yet no one seems to have time to notice their tears and agony. Dr. Mukul Sangma the chief minister is busy talking to the independent candidates to support his government which along with influential coal baron are busy fighting against the NGT ban. The Tura MP is busy oiling the BJP for a ministerial berth. The bureaucrats are busy issuing the permission to “counsel” women. The guardians of the law – the police are busy torturing and killing the accused. The guardians of the catholic faith – the Catholic Church is busy looking for students with high percentage and even at times shutting down schools to avoid payment of MONEY to GNLA. May God save the innocent and helpless people in Garo Hills who are prisoners in their own land!
Your etc.,
Peter Lunthang
Shillong-3
Cut out the discussions!
Editor,
Another year, another Environment day and Shillong will witness a barrage of programmes from the symbolic to the holistic all the way to the extravagant. Discussion galore, unrelated performances and profligate lunches and dinners will dominate the day. Call me sarcastic, complain box , radical or cynical but it is high time that actions should dominate our methods of so called ‘saving the environment’; we’ve had enough discussions enough opinions of the intelligentsia on what to do in Shillong. Let us recycle cliches on taking action on global warming and other environmental issues. Think global yes but when will we act local.
Many programmes have happened for the last ten years, many solutions both local and international were suggested yet no actions were taken for reasons unknown. If we do know it’ll be from out of the blue about some programmes that apparently have been running for a long time; or a project/program so highly placed in society that only the elites participate and the grassroot populace who are affected by everything are either clueless or cluelessly brought in as audiences for the programme. Naturally these programmes burn more resources in a day than what eco friendly programmes burn in a year. Oh let the wise see my finger pointed at them.
Of course at the end, I’m just a common citizen like everyone with no assurance that my voice will be heard on this environment day or that my factual opinion may be laughed off or land me in trouble. As this year’s theme suggests I plead all concerned to raise your voice and not the sea level.
Your etc.,
Edward
NEEDS
CM’s ST status!
Editor,
Apropos Bindo M Lanong’s write-up “of 2 holes etc.”(ST June 4, 2014), the writer mentions the case of Anjan Kumar vrs.Union of India, perhaps to strengthen the case against Mukul Sangma’s ST status. He based it on the SC judgment that to “claim ST or SC one must show that he suffered disabilities, socially, economically and educationally..” not due to one’s chromosomes.
By that same logic would advocate Bindo M Lanong still claim himself to be a tribal?
Yours etc.,
Rasputin Bismarck Manners
Kolkata
