Editor,
The arrest of students in school uniform from the premises of Ward’s Lake by the police department deserves a very warm pat on their back. This act of Police department is well accepted by the citizens of Shillong city. It is indeed a great act on the part of the police to stop such indecent behaviour of our students and that too in school uniform. Most surprising is the fact that few of those arrested were girl students. As a concerned parent, at times we feel very awkward to take our children to such public places because of the indecent behaviour and ugly attitudes of those who frequent these places, thereby discouraging all of us including tourists from visiting such places.
We the citizens of Shillong are very thankful for this appreciable act of the police by removing the rotten fruit from the basket of our society. This kind of service should also be extended to other public places including the outskirts of the city where such elements have spoiled the atmosphere of our beautiful public places. Such action of the police if continued for some more time would I hope make Shillong City and its outskirts a more decent, friendly place and a tourist attraction.
Once again the citizenry of Shillong salute the Police department for their wonderful act.
Yours etc.,
S Mawlong,
Via email
Moral policing! But to what degree
Editor,
This is in relation to the news ‘Police pick up 46 students in city’. The intent and purpose of the city police as-is is highly appreciable as such surprise checks do bode well for all stakeholders concerned. As such, most will agree that continuity of such checks on a consistent basis is indeed tenable. However, the execution and showmanship exhibited simultaneously is highly condemnable. The devil lies in the detail and by executing it in such strict military-style the police have exposed the concerned lot to an unpleasing limelight. Accordingly, I would like to place the reasons thereof as follows –
Firstly, was there a need to take the concerned lot like sheep to the hospital? On hindsight it would have been best if they were discharged off from the lake itself after a strong strict warning. Their parading in full public view is highly unprofessional and insensitive on the part of the police. These actions may have a long lasting blot on the lives and reputation of the lot. Did it not strike the cops that they are still young and thereby can atone for whatever shortcomings in future and hence there was no need for what has been done? If anything, the entire exercise was aimed at attaining brownie points from the general public and at the dire cost of others.
Secondly, if anyone, it is the management and staff of the lake, that authority is to be taken to task in strict military-style. How did the intoxicants get inside? This is the result of non-checking at the entry. It is nice to know that the police were informed, but, is it not depressing to realize that the staff did nothing to stop it as it was being played out. In addition, how did the intoxicants get into their hands? Hence, it is best to do moral policing at the level of wine stores across the city as this is where the devil sleeps.
Thirdly, in an era of IT-enabled social networking such news spreads like wild fire and it is in such a platform that the devil lies in the open. I was not surprised to see the frequency of facebook and other social media shares on this news item. However, when compared to the social media shares of other good meaningful news reports a clear distortion in our thinking and entertainment-motivation is shamefully exposed. As such, spare a thought for the pictures and faces in circulation right now. These chaps are still very young with their whole lives in front of them and they should be given a chance. Hence, it is best if we stimulate an ethical entertainment-motivation and exercise restraint.
Lastly, come week-end and this news will be one of the main reports of the local electronic media. We can expect many to make fun and joy out of it in the coziness of our kitchens and living rooms. However, and again, spare a thought as they are very young sons and daughters of some parents somewhere. It is best that we do not make fun of the incident but rather be concerned and strive to annihilate such happenings and practices in future. As such, even the media may have to exercise some empathy while covering such news especially in terms of projecting faces and names on their monitor.
Yours etc,
Benjamin Lyngdoh
NEHU Campus
Shillong – 22