Editor,
Recently there was a remark in the Assembly made by a member that “Garos cannot fight Garos”.
In clarification the honourable member had pointed out that he meant police cannot fight the militants of the same community. This is a very derogatory statement and puts things in a communal perspective. It also undermines the efforts of Meghalaya police which has successfully battled militants whenever permitted to do so. It must be remembered that in the fight against HNLC many Khasi officers and other ranks had risked their lives to eradicate this menace. In fact the militancy was eradicated because many Khasis officers actively led by example with courage and bravery.
The recent rescue of the Manager of the State Bank also involved many Garo personnel who put in extraordinary efforts. It would be nice if the said politician and others like him could take time to publicly congratulate this remarkable force and thereby boost their morale rather than communalising it.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
All coal miners not crore-patis
Editor,
Apropos the letter by Rinku Marak (ST June 18) first of all the notion that all coal miners are crore-patis is a misconception. Knowing that some crore-patis are coal miners does not mean that all coal miners are crore-patis. It’s either his obliviousness or he is making a hypothetical statement. Secondly it’s understandable that for some people who do not depend on the coal business for their livelihood the after-effects of the ban are not major issues but to say that I am exaggerating the concerns I’ve expressed in my letter is absurd because that was clearly not for the crore-patis. Lastly, if at all most of us are responsible citizens and agree in unison to exercise our responsibility towards our environment I certainly would’ve not questioned the government’s non-intervention.
Yours etc.,
Ibanylla Lyngdoh,
Via email
Jowai as I see it today
Editor,
There have been many articles concerning the condition of Jowai town but it is sad to see that little has been done to address these concerns. Merely providing dustbins will not solve the growing dump all around the market area of the town because let’s face it; many do not make use of them. It is very sad that the first thing one sees upon entering this town are these ‘slum’ like markets which encroach on to the streets; there is no place for the pedestrians to even walk as the people set up their stalls on the footpaths. There is traffic jam all the time and the overall sight is one of an ungoverned town. How is it that people are allowed to set up their stalls anywhere they want? There is garbage everywhere which is always accompanied by this unbearable stench.
It has been a while since I last visited my once beautiful hometown but when I came back recently, I was appalled at what I saw. There was a remarkable change in the town- it seems to be degenerating day by day. Jowai, it is sad to say, does not seem to be developing. The only growth that it seems to exhibit is the growth of a market place that is unhygienic and unorganised. The most disappointing sight is the extension of the market place even to Mynthong area which is a residential area. What happened to the once clean and serene locality? Now people are starting to turn it into a market area! It seems the already big market place is not enough. Up to what limits will this ‘market place’ in Mynthong locality extend? Where is the sense of consciousness among the governed and the governors? Are you really content to live in a town like this? When will real development start?
Yours etc.,
Saweini Laloo,
Shillong-6