Editor,
It was heartening to see the reaction of BR Sohtun in his letter captioned ‘UDP and the issue of Rangbah Shnong’ (ST Jan 7, 2015)/ It was also kind of the writer to have expressed his perceptions about the UDP. Those are his entitled views and I have nothing whatsoever against those views. As for his charge against the Party’s elected representatives, they will be in a better position to clarify.
For the benefit of Sohtun and the readers at large, I must state categorically that the United Democratic Party- Meghalaya, is the only state-wide regional party with a never ending list of issues concerning the public, which it has dutifully taken up at appropriate levels. Some have been covered by the media, others are yet to get their due space. We would request Sohtun to kindly read through our Manifesto-2013; that would give him a rough idea of the issues that the Party is seized of. However, we are always open to constructive criticism that helps us shape and mould our steps in our endeavour to provide the voiceless a political approach to better their lives.
While welcoming the inputs of the writer, we reiterate in clarifying and putting facts before perception, that the issue in question was an important one, which warranted the Party to consult and express it’s views with those directly concerned. How can one just wish away something that has been directly responsible for growth and development at the grassroots level? The Dorbar Shnong have been in existence prior to the advent of the British and even before that they were the basic units of administration of the Khasi & Jaintia Hills. Can we afford to neglect such an issue?. As for the empowerment aspect, for Sohtun’s information, under Para 3 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the District Council is empowered to legislate laws to that effect. There is no provision for the Rangbah Shnong’s jurisdiction to extend beyond the village/locality boundaries and hence Sohtun’s contention is fraught with ill intent for all to see. What UDP did was an apolitical attempt to provide a platform for dialogue for the affected and concerned, as this affects the very essence of our existence as a community and its identity. Our attempt was not populist but out of genuine concern.
Yours etc.,
Allantry Franklin Dkhar.
General Secretary .
United Democratic Party-
Meghalaya.
Dangerous generic statements!
Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Shame on Indian Railways” (ST Jan 12, 2015), what Mr Nongpluh had written is very true and very often such journeys become a nightmare for people from this region. Some have even lost their lives after being pushed off the train by such unruly elements. But the Indian Railways are least bothered about taking drastic steps to provide security to passengers travelling by train from the region. Having said this I would disagree with Nongpluh when he uses the word “Dkhar” in a very generic sense. I would like to remind him that not every “Dkhar” is a criminal or rogue element. In fact when the agitation for Inner Line Permit was at its heights in Shillong it was two innocent “Dkhars” who paid with their lives. In spite of this Mr Nandwal, father of the the person who was burnt alive in broad daylight, said that he forgave all the perpetrators involved in the gruesome killing of his son. He could have used statements like that of Nongpluh, “that from now on every Dkhar should “shoh khasi” (beat up Khasi people). I am not making a statement here. All I am asking is, why make such a generic statement for the failure of the Indian Railways. Mr Nongpluh if your son grows up with such an attitude it is not his failure but your failure to be a responsible parent and to teach your son the moral values in life. Regarding Indian Railways, it needs a lot of improvement but we have MPs from the region who should be looking at this issue and taking it up with the Railway Minister, Mr Suresh Prabhu who is known to be action-oriented and honest.
Yours etc.,
R Lyngdoh
Via email