Editor,
Challenging a High Court by flagrant disobedience is a risky proposition under any circumstances. Many rich and powerful (and corrupt) individuals of this country have been brought to their knees by the Courts, in spite of enjoying tremendous political patronage of the ruling party. What the Rangbah Shnong of Shillong have done is merely to postpone the inevitable and compound their own public humiliation. The recent exposes about their illegal activities in the media have strengthened the belief that they are nothing more than a greedy boys’ club who have strayed out of their turf once too often! The headman of Laitumkhrah and a prominent member of this Boys Club has made it clear that he is unafraid of the consequences. So be it. Let the High Court in its wisdom now decide the quantum of punishment that he and his colleagues need to suffer. As a matter of record, the dominant majority of Rangbah Shnong, especially the ones belonging to this group have never made any worthwhile contribution to their localities or the welfare of citizens residing therein. This is because they are too busy with money-making activities like issuing NOCs, etc. They have clung on to power using political pull, NGO backing, brute force or blackmail. They are a significant part of the problem of corruption in politics. It is well known that all of them take money from candidates in exchange for influencing the voters. At times, they even run the ‘donation campaigns’ themselves in their respective localities on behalf of candidates. The High Court has done us a huge favour by asking these ‘heady’ men to stick to their brief of looking after welfare, instead of sticking out their necks in places where they don’t belong! Their disobedience of the High Court must be met with suitable exemplary punishment.
Yours etc.,
R.J. Kharkongor,
Shillong-6
Curious flip-flops by Rangbah Shnong
Editor,
The conglomeration of headmen under the banner of Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong seems to contradict itself day after day. One day it openly challenges the High Court saying will continue to issue NOCs and the very next day it backtracks by saying it never discussed the High Court order! What is going on? Have these headmen lost their heads? Or are they running scared after realizing the foolishness of their action and the drastic consequences it would bring upon their heads? Whatever be the case, it proves they cannot be trusted with the welfare of people. The High Court should be congratulated for stripping them of their unlawful powers which they have abused to the hilt. At the same time, it is strange that the KHADC, State Govt and Banks continue to insist on NOCs from Rangbah Shnong despite the High Court order. Shouldn’t they too be pulled up by the Court? If these bodies did not insist on NOCs, then nobody would approach the Rangbah Shnong and the matter would be resolved.
Yours etc.,
John Lyngdoh
Shillong -14.
Money talks!
Editor
Challenging a High Court by flagrant disobedience is a risky proposition under any circumstances. Many rich and powerful (and corrupt) individuals of this country have been brought to their knees by the Courts, in spite of enjoying tremendous political patronage of the ruling party. What the Rangbah Shnongs of Shillong have done is merely to postpone the inevitable and compound their own public humiliation. The recent exposes about their illegal activities in the media have strengthened the belief that they are nothing more than a greedy boys club who have strayed out of their turf once too often! G. Bruce Sawkmie, the headman of Laitumkhrah and a prominent member of this boys club has made it clear that he is unafraid of the consequences. So be it. Let the High Court in its wisdom now decide the quantum of punishment that he and his colleagues need to suffer. As a matter of record, the dominant majority of Rangbah Shnongs, especially the ones belonging to this group have never made any worthwhile contribution to their localities or the welfare of citizens residing therein. This is because they are too busy with money-making activitieslike issuing NOCs, etc. They, like G. Bruce Sawkmie, have clung on to power using political pull, NGO backing, brute force or blackmail. They are a significant part of the problem of corruption in politics. It is well known that all of them they take money from candidates in exchange for influencing the voters. At times, they even run the ‘donation campaigns’ themselves in their respective localities on behalf of candidates. The High Court has done us a huge favour by asking these ‘heady’ men to stick to their brief of looking after welfare, instead of sticking out their necks in places where they don’t belong! Their disobediance of the High Court must be met with suitable exemplary punishment.
R.J. Kharkongor