Editor,
In her article ” A phantom called Sainkupar Nongtraw,” Patricia Mukhim stated that she felt deflated that the state Home Minister did not even give a call to the citizens to defy the recent 48 hours bandh called by the HNLC I too was terribly disappointed and felt let down, particularly when the bandh call is in direct confrontation to the celebration of our nation’s Independence Day . Though it would be appropriate to target the Home Minister for failing to make the call at this juncture, our other leaders cannot absolve themselves from this responsibility either since there were no reports that such a call was made by any one of them. Their equal silence now and ever would be devastating as it seems to send the signal that they are either complacent and indifferent and are therefore content to let the people be customarily bound to succumb to pressures which are detrimental for society in the long run. In this connection, one remembers RG Lyngdoh as the Home Minister who courageously led the people from the front to dare the diktat of the oppressive forces at a time when they were very domineering. He did succeed to the extent that people were reassured then. He will long be remembered for this exemplary role. Unfortunately this ends with him only because as far as my knowledge goes successive leaders never qualified to wear that badge of courage and people are once again disillusioned and rudderless .
On the whole our leaders should realize that we do not expect them to simply dole out schemes, favours and political patronage forever. While they may prefer to continue to ride on these motives in order to sustain their very own survival, we would, however, expect them to especially lead us courageously under those extraordinary circumstances where the situation if allowed to thrive will adversely affect our hopes and aspirations. In this particular circumstance, the failure to lead us will make us doomed to face the ignominy of compromising always at the cost of our generations to come.
Yours etc.,
KL Tariang,
Via email
Fly by night operators
Editor,
Apropos the news item “8 coal trucks seized, 16 arrested” (ST Aug 13, 2014), I would like to know whether any serious attempt has been made by any Government agency, independent organization or the media to ascertain the number of coal trucks that are plying under cover of darkness every day. Even though we read about a few coal trucks having been caught transporting coal illegally, it is but a miniscule figure compared to the real numbers plying on a day-to-day basis. The police are an active participant in this huge cover-up. Policemen are making piles of cash, extorting money from hundreds of trucks every day in exchange for unhindered passage. This appears to be done with full knowledge of the top brass and senior bureaucrats. Mining of coal has not stopped either. Mine owners have restarted mining operations surreptitiously and paid off local authorities.
The National Green Tribunal must engage central agencies to investigate the matter instead of local authorities to grasp the real picture. I also request The Shillong Times and local media houses to carry out their own investigations and publish the findings. I am sure it would not be a Herculean task to click a few pictures and interview a few people to separate truth from fiction. Shillong Times has been doing a good job in publishing news and articles which are devoid of bias, unlike many. But it still has some catching up to do with mainstream media in the sphere of investigative reporting This is the need of the hour in our State!
Yours etc.,
James Rynjah
Shillong-2
Cost of bandhs in Meghalaya
Editor,
Apropos the editorial “Fear, apathy or support for the bandh” (ST 6th August 2014), the bandh is a result of the failure of the Committee appointed by the State Govt to comply with the order of the National Green Tribunal to prepare an inventory of extracted coal. The success of the bandh can be attributed to all three, fear, apathy or support for the bandh. The one day bandh has hurt the economy of Meghalaya and the loss is estimated to be Rs 55 crore (at Current Prices) given the size of the State Gross Domestic Product at current prices.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email