Editor,
I am away from Shillong and when I read online the letter of Mr Toki Blah on Bad Traffic Governance (ST 19th Dec2014), relating to the plying of coal laden trucks through Shillong for the last ten days I can imagine the harrowing experience that the people of Shillong are facing now. The traffic jams, the noise and the pollution would be unbearable not to overlook the risk the other commuters and pedestrians have to face when these coal leaden trucks with screeching brakes move down the steep parts of the roads within the city or when empty trucks are speeding through. It makes me shudder .
The question is why are these truck drivers given so much leeway by the authority by allowing them to pass through the city when the Shillong Bye-pass is specifically constructed to divert movement of trucks away from the city. A recent newspaper report stated that the coal mine owners claimed that they are compelled to do so because the toll collected on the Bye Pass is exorbitant and therefore unaffordable by them. Now it would not be expected that the prescribed toll fee fixed was not thought of when the idea of the Bye-pass was first conceived. The truckers have been paying such fees earlier. A sudden steep increase from the original toll fee is therefore a matter which needs to be investigated quickly. Possibly someone is trying to make a quick buck here. As further stated in the report these coal mine owners even stated that the extortion by police along the Shillong Bye pass has also shot up and hence another excuse to avoid the Bye-pass. This is a serious accusation against the police which definitely needs to be investigated into. On the whole , the government should quickly set things right on this matter quickly so that the citizens of Shillong do not have the bear the brunt of it all .
Meanwhile the people of Shillong also cannot afford to sit by and let brute force , power and greed of the few affect our peaceful daily lives.. Our representatives from the Shillong Urban area should cut across party lines and take up this issue jointly. It is not expected of them to leave their constituents to fend on their own. I hope that the Chief Minister who is also the Home Minister takes serious note of this predicament of the Shillong people now. For a person who often promised good governance, this is one challenge which he has to conquer if he is to deliver as promised. The people of Shillong would appreciate that.
Yours etc.,
K.L.Tariang,
Via email
Dynastic politics
Editor,
Apropos the news “Dynastic politics like termite eating democracy: PM” (ST Dec 17 2014) the Prime Minister is one hundred percent correct to state that “Dynastic politics has corroded the foundation of democracy and that the power of democracy in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is such that a tea seller is now the Prime Minister of the world’s most populated democracy. I am in sync with the Prime Minister that we have to rise above caste, creed and nepotism and vote for development but see that caste and creed are taken into account only when we seek a match in the family, while in election we should elect a representative who can provide development and fulfill the promises made to the people and provide them the basic minimum services required and not gold or bungalow.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
SP West Garo Hills must resign
Editor,
I was horrified to read of the brutal assault on a 19 year old girl and attempted kidnapping of her younger brother by policemen in Tura (Ref. “Girl among 3 assaulted by cops in Tura” ST Dec 18, 2014). These policemen have committed serious offences out of uniform even if under direct orders of the SP. Day by day the law and order situation in Garo Hills is sinking to a new low with policemen adding to the problem by committing crimes ranging from brutal arrests, torture, corruption and extortion. West Garo Hills District, SP Mukesh Singh must resign for this shocking crime committed by policemen under his watch. We cannot allow bestial brutality to be exercised by policemen who are ordered to punch women and kidnap teenage boys by their superior officer. If this is what takes place in the heart of Tura, one shudders to think what atrocities must be committed by policemen in the rural villages. Shame on Mukesh Singh and his gang of criminals in uniform! They have proved they are no better than the ANVC and GNLA when it comes to committing crimes against humanity.
Yours etc.,
Hubert Nongkhlaw
Shillong-4