Editor,
The news report captioned “EC to ask banks to accept land documents issued by Council” (ST Oct. 30. 2014, P-3) evoked both delight and contempt in this reader’s mind. Delight, because at long last, someone has seen the light that has been shining on the glaring fact that since 1952 the councillors of successive councils have till today been successfully evading their responsibilities for the preservation of our tradition and customary laws as empowered under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Contempt, because it has taken any one of them to wake-up to the fact, in spite of vehement protestation by all of them that they stand for that preservation at all electioneering campaigns till now.
If any one of them can claim that they have read and heard anything on this subject/issue, I would like to jog their memories by referring them to a booklet titled “Ka Ain Jurip Khyndew…” written and published in 1991 by this reader and, to an article under the caption “Ki Kyndon Ai Ram Ki Bank/Ka Sorkar Bad Ka Dustur Bat Khyndew Jong Ngi” published in the Khasi dailies, Mawphor and Nongsain Hima issues of 02/Nov. / 2010.
The gist of the suggestions in both the booklet and articles referred to is the need for universal official cognizance of the legality of documents issued under the seal of our traditional institutions. In fact, there should be no need to register land rights in the DC’s office: this practice only makes registration of land rights prohibitively expensive thus deterring poor villagers from registering their land ownership. Now, one would go even so far as to suggest that both democratically elected authorities in both the State and Councils should pull up their socks up and get on with the work of good governance – within the constraints of laws; old, new or yet to be legislated.
To begin with, it is suggested that customary laws should be codified, to be followed by repealing of useless ones and the enactment of new, necessary ones. It is a daunting task, but someone has to start the ball rolling now, to ensure that it continues rolling on till the task is accomplished.
Yours etc.,
Morning Star Sumer,
Shillong – 2
DGP compromises his own force
Editor,
It appears that there is very little hope left for Meghalaya as far as maintenance of law and order is concerned. Earlier it was the militants, the NGOs, the students and politicians who did not care for the safety and security of the normal citizens. Now it appears that even the DGP is least bothered about the safety of ordinary citizens. News reports that the DGP has agreed to allow ANVC (B) to set up camp at Goeragre which is the headquarters of 2nd MLP battalion is shocking to say the least.
First the safety of this high security police camp is going to be severely compromised by the presence of so many militants inside the camp. One should remember that when Sohan Shira was lodged in the 1st Batallion he was able to befriend and brainwash Champion Sangma, (who was then an Assistant Commandant), to leave police and join the militants. So how many Champions will we now produce from amongst the police? Also the security of the police personnel will also be compromised since the militants will become privy to all the information about the camp and its uniformed inmates and their families.
Moreover the morale of the police will suffer a serious blow. A number of policemen lost their lives fighting the same militants who they will now have to host. Has the DGP given a thought about how this will affect the wives and children of the policemen whose life was cut short by the bullets of ANVC? Up until now the ANVC (B) is still on a killing spree as per news reports. In his desire to please his political bosses, in one stroke the DGP has sold out the welfare of the entire police force. It is unlikely that we will see Mr. Hanaman in Shillong, post his retirement. If he was a resident of Shillong he would not have compromised the interests of the Organisation he is heading because every serving and retired constable and officer would have insulted him
It’s a sad day for Meghalaya, its citizens and the police that such a man was chosen to be the Police Chief.
Yours etc.,
Silver Momin,
Shillong – 4