Editor,
Regarding the news article “Sacked youths demand reinstatement” (ST Oct 27, 2014) I wonder why the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Ri Bhoi District have preferred to act deaf and dumb on the matter despite heated debates in the newspapers over many days. I blame these two govt officials specifically for letting the matter get out of hand by their inaction. They should have swung into action as soon as the first threatening word was uttered! For God’s sake, uphold the dignity of your offices and take action against lawbreakers before the situation blows up in your faces. Have you people learned nothing at all from past experiences?
Yours etc.,
James Nongbet
Nongpoh
Clarification
Editor,
I would like to clarify that the reported youth arrested from Hill Crest Hr. Sec. School in relation to a previous theft, is a labourer working in the school vicinity and not a staff or student of the school. He was hired on contract for the ongoing work. The School has no direct connection with the person concerned. The School deeply regrets the unfortunate incident and any misunderstanding resulting thereof which has adversely affected the credibility of the Hill Crest School and its students.
Yours etc.,
E. C. Pariat
Headmistress, Hill Crest School,
Shillong-6
Law-keeping looters!
Editor,
Information is a powerful thing. Good governance is a direct result of a good network of information sharing. At times, there have been positive outcomes and at others everything seems to go to waste. One way of highlighting injustices is through the media. Be it social, print or other forms of media. However some of my personal encounters in recent times have made me doubt this. I have always been pained by the rampant robbing of trucks by the police through the entire length of our highways. These 24/7 robberies takes place along the various police outposts on the pretext of vehicle checking. The road barricades with the sign “STOP. POLICE CHECKING.” are convenient tools of the trade. All plying trucks, lorries and long distance buses are subjected to these and more! Anyway, a few days back, as I was passing by the Ummulong Police Outpost, I saw, what most people have seen on a regular basis; a man dressed in civilian clothes coming out of the outpost and taking money from a truck. I have seen this times without number ; not the same man but different men playing the same scene. I learnt that these money collecting men (sometimes boys) are ‘contractual’ employees of the police personnel posted in Ummulong. I confronted the man and told him that I would report him to the higher ups and what he said next shook my faith of any remedy to the problem. He said that no one can do anything about it. The media, the higher ups, the NGO’s, the dorbar, and even the truck driver and owners association are all in on the looting! Each receives their share of the loot periodically. And here I was wondering at how could such blatant looting take place right under our noses! I was more shocked at the mention of media being part of the racket! The Dorbar Shnong, the ‘higher ups’, the NGO’s etc. have never been beacons of integrity and honesty and it came as no shock. But the media!
Yesterday, on my way to Lad Rymbai I saw the same scene played by the Phramer Police Outpost – a flashlight wielding man collecting money from trucks. I confronted this man and along with the usual threat, he went as far as naming media houses! I felt pretty dejected by the development and would like a clarification from any stakeholder as to how and why such a thing happening? I believe that if any stakeholder is silent on this scam, it would mean that they have a role to play in it. The Ummulong and Phramer Dorbar Shnong, the Home department, the many media houses, the NGO’s, Students’ Unions, Truck drivers/owners association, and everyone who has ever witnessed the robberies needs to come clean and answer the question as to WHY IS SUCH A THING ALLOWED TO FLOURISH? I am sure the answer won’t be that simple. After all, a fattened pig with an apple in the mouth won’t squeal.
Yours etc.,
Lamchwa Mukhim.
Via email