Editor,
It is with disbelief, outrage mixed with a sense of dejavu that I read the news report “Nine families scorn earthly life, ‘wait for apocalypse”. Simple, gullible rural people frightened out of their wits in giving up this ‘Earthly life’ and coerced, bullied and intimidated’ by some prophet of doom from God knows where! Shocking in this day and age to read about this type of apocalyptic brain washing that forces people to give up their jobs, pursuit of education, livelihoods and normal daily activities because they were programmed to believe that the world is coming to an immediate end. We have all seen it before and it simply leads to nowhere except cause unnecessary panic, misery, fear and social dislocation to innocent and susceptible lives. Some pertinent questions need to be answered.
We need to ask and find out whether those who make these dire predictions really walk their talk. Do they themselves also forego all ‘earthly’ activities and pursuit that they demand from others? Do they live up to their prophesies? Or do they simply walk away from their destructive predictions, laughing all the way home at the misery and havoc they have left in their wake? It would cause no surprise to learn that the bible thumping preacher who caused such havoc in Nongthliew village of Mairang Block, West Khasi Hills must be merrily living a normal social life least worried about ‘his’ world coming to an immediate end. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is a most practical man who has least faith in his own stupid prophesy!
So what do you call people who cause unnecessary upheaval, panic, alarm and dread in society? What is the appropriate term used when social wellbeing is needlessly upset through acts that cause uncalled and unwarranted apprehension and anxiety? People who cause such havoc are called terrorists irrespective whether fear is cause by an IED, AK 47 or by fundamental orthodoxy. It is hoped that the district authorities take appropriate action under law against such anti social elements, because that is literally what they are.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Fair or foul play this time?
Editor,
I have come to know from a reliable source that Meghalaya Police is conducting the examinations for the post of Inspectors. I wonder if the recruitment is fair and transparent as is the case for Constables and Sub- Inspectors. There have been several instances where foul play has happened inside the four walls of the room. How can one find out whether the interview was conducted by fair means unless there are CCTV cameras fitted inside the room to ascertain that a real interview has taken place? Sometimes, political appointments happen and a candidate is selected without even appearing for the interview in person. At other times the interview is just a formality. It has happened once too often that someone who doesn’t deserve to be selected has been appointed, much to the disgust of those who are meritorious. The undeserving are appointed because they are related to some political leader or the other. It is frustrating to see this happening so often in Meghalaya. A deserving candidate loses out and the political appointees take it all. If CCTV cameras are fitted inside the interview room, then at least those who did well and did not get promoted can see their own performance from the footage. Will the recruitments be done on seniority basis? According to the manual, that is how it should go. I wish for once that Meghalaya Police conduct this interview by fair means and that they do not foul up and destroy the hopes of many young aspirants as has been the case many times in the past. A deserving candidate needs to be promoted and not otherwise and certainly not because of influence or money. I request all the concerned candidates to keep their eyes and ears open and in case such a situation arises, they should blow the whistle. In this kind of selection process only CCTV or video recordings will work and not RTI. RTIs are merely a rigmarole that take place after the crime is committed.
Yours etc.
Anandi Gabil
Madras Christian College, Chennai