Editor,
Apropos the article, “Politics of the Iewduh Fish Market” by Mitchell Wankhar, I am of the same opinion with the writer because we experience congestion and overcrowding the moment we set foot at Motphran. The moment one steps in to Motphran one is drawn into a whirlpool of chaos with pedestrians, hawkers, vehicles all colliding against one another. In fact I actually had to crane my neck to see if the monument is still there as it is decorated with almost everything under the sun. Perhaps there is a need to also do a quick and effective decongestion of this place.
It is needless to state the obvious but since Iewduh has encroached into this entire place and it is the lifeline of the population of Shillong if not the entire state, it is bound to be crowded with peddlers galore and those who want to buy their wares. However what makes it problematic is the lack of space to walk around as there are makeshift stalls jutting from almost every shop, both big and small. In nearly every section of the different sub-markets the scenario is the same. Mind you, if by any chance you trip or step on any of the goods lined up you are sure to be reprimanded. Isn’t this congestion? Interestingly, as claimed by the writer, the two lanes in the Fish Market may be seen oozing with water, carton boxes, fish trays but no encroachments from a single stall. Customers feel the heat and intrusion only at the time of loading and unloading of fish. Again I must agree that there could not have been a better
location for the fish market other than the present one as it is just next door to the Parking Lot. This does not disturb anyone else at the time of unloading and transportation of the fish crates from the trucks to the market. Rather it minimises the inconvenience caused to shopkeepers and porters and also prevents shoppers from being edged out by other shopkeepers and fellow shoppers.
What is essential is not just a revamp of the fish market but a proper drainage system not only in the fish market area but in the entire Iewduh so as to help maintain the cleanliness of the market place and thereby keeping it hygienic. We also need to find ways to decongest Iewduh in its entirety.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Politics of opportunism
Editor,
The sudden resignation/defection by two MDCs’ P.T. Sawkmie and Grace Kharpuri should not come as a surprise. I had silently predicted and analysed that such things were to come since the District Councils do not have an anti-defection law which needs to be amended by Parliament. So after all the slogan shouting and public drama of saving the community from an ‘invasion’ by outsiders here we have such politicians who align themselves to serve not the ‘Jaidbynriew’ but their personal status and pockets. So again the debate is whether we still need an institution like the District Council? We are all aware that the District Council is simply a launching pad to reach the state assembly and is used by wannabe MLAs. We look forward for more such tricks or maybe other hopefuls of defecting to other parties.
Your etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3