Editor,
The recent resounding victory of Arvind Kejriwal and his party Aam Aadmi Party in New Delhi should have been a wake-up call for our politicians who are used to their lavish lifestyles but sadly in Meghalaya this looks like a distant dream. On Monday, February 16, the Congress MLA of North Tura Noverfield Marak threw a lavish bachelors’ party for his soon to be wedded son to the daughter of a business magnate known for his benami success (no offence intended). At the party a live band was playing what we call Head Bangers Ball music way beyond the midnight hour. Surely, the elected MLA ought to know that his house is not in the jungles of the Amazon forest but located in the heart of Chandmari locality in Tura that is also home to hundreds of inhabitants.The blaring music was not confined to the inner walls of the MLA’s house but it could be heard for miles beyond, all the way in Akonggre, Ringrey, Chandmari, Chitoktak and even Tura bazar. The engagement and bachelors’ party of an individual should have been confined to the surroundings of his family friends and well-wishers. One does not have to give a public announcement of a celebration. There are many families who are affected by noise, particularly the sick and infirm. The elected MLA should have had some decency and wisdom to tone down the sound of his music, Alas! that was the last thing on his mind. It is a pity that we the aam aadmi have to witness such arrogance from a politician who till the other day was just another ordinary person elected by the public for the welfare of the community and not just the welfare of his own family. Bur that is what politics in Meghalaya has become – self service.
Yours etc.,
D. Momin
Tura.
Opposition should make their stand clear!
Editor,
It is not clear what the Opposition Party’s perception is nor their stand in regard to the CM’s proposals on the suggested Amendments to the 6th Schedule of the Constitution. A report in a vernacular paper seems to indicate that the Parties at the meeting convened by the CM supported (‘kyrshan’) the proposed Amendments relating to the ADCs, while your paper reported that the CM told the media after the meeting that the Parties were happy. Then there were others who expressed doubts and wanted to know the exact status and power of the proposed ‘nominated members.’ All this presents a picture of utter confusion amongst the participants as to the core issues incorporated or proposed in the Amendments to be placed before the Parliament and discussed at the meeting called by the CM, though it appears that the CM had made it very clear that the proposed amendments are follow-up actions and firmly linked to the tripartite agreement signed by the Govt of India, the CM of Meghalaya and the ANVC (B) recently in Delhi. That being the case, the above Parties who we believe firmly stand for the protection of the rights and customs of the people for whom the 6th Schedule has been incorporated in the Constitution of the country and also that the democratic way of life be strengthened, sustained and preserved under the law, should strongly and unequivocally oppose the amendments proposed by the CM and summarily reject them on three counts:
1)The Parties as well as the KHADC and the JHADC have nothing to do with the Tripartite Agreement. They should immediately, clearly and expressly tell the CM and all others so. They should refuse to be dragged into and get willy-nilly involved in any messy deals. The proposals submitted by the KHADC earlier to the CM should be dealt with separately and not lumped together with the Tripartite Agreement or any other agreement that they are not party to.
2)The Parties should also make it clear that they are vehemently opposed to the idea of the State Government being influenced, coerced or persuaded to a move to get a solemn and vital provision in the highest Law of the Land altered or amended at the behest of an outfit that had not been constituted under the law in the first place. Peace should be settled under the existing laws as they stand, and should not be twisted to suit the interest of law breakers. Otherwise, it will be interpreted as weakness on the part of the government and the law and order situation will escalate and spin out of control and lawlessness and violence that we see now in Garo Hills will spread to Khasi & Jaintia Hills that are now comparatively peaceful.
3) The Parties should also stand united and oppose the proposal to nominate members in the ADCs. The idea of ‘nomination’ is abominable, repugnant and revolting. It is a ploy to get some persons, who had been rejected or very likely to be rejected by the electorates, to enter the corridors of power by the back door. The Nokmas are being portrayed in the Garo Hills districts as the party-less council of chiefs in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Please recall the great public rally in Shillong against the principle of nomination on June 27, 1952 in Shillong that succeeded in getting the practice of ‘nomination’ withdrawn, and started the hugely successful and peaceful Hill State Movement that got us the State of our own – MEGHALAYA!
Yours etc.,
Lucian Lyngdoh
Shillong -3