Editor,
Kudos to the Union Government for rescuing Indians from war torn Yemen! Now, it’s high time that Indians living in Ampati start living freely as Indians ought to. Why has this terrible situation been allowed to drag on for so long ? The Indian citizens living in Ampati need answers from the Indian state as to why they should be living in such a harsh environment and totally forgotten by all ,including the media . The Indian state tom toms to all and sundry that it has rescued all Indians in some troubled spot then why has it remained a mute spectator in the Ampati situation ? Is it not aware of the plight of the people there? By not trying to find a peaceful solution, the Indian state has actually abdicated its authority and it has failed genuine Indian citizens. What’s more ironic is that the Government of Meghalaya, the 60 members of the state legislative assembly and the MPs representing the State have lost their voices and ability to think! However, if Ampati was located in another region of Meghalaya would that have been the response from the sixty wise elected members? We need leaders who can think and deliver and not give just “lip service”
Yours etc.,
Tyrone D’Brass
Tura.
The picture as we see it
Editor,
The KHADC had a leader from the HSPDP for six months after which the leadership was handed over to another leader from the KHNAM; not to forget that the CHAIR was being passed on from the HSPDP to the UDP and then the KHNAM. From being a member of the opposition the KHNAM leader was propelled to become the CEM. But the chaos in the KHADC for another leadership change persists despite the fact that the ARPA has the upper hand with a larger majority. Is this really in favor of the masses? Earlier the KHADC was crippled for two months. Now it is over a month that the KHADC is in suspended animation. At this rate we will have instability for the next four years. Perhaps we are unable to see what is actually happening here. We voted MDCs to power to address our concerns but they are busy sorting out their personal differences. We the people elected these MDCs to represent us. Hence they should stop squabbling and attend to larger issues like protecting the rights of the indigenous Khasi tribe.
At a time of great crisis, we now hear a demand for yet another change in leadership. Have they even tried considering the plans and ideas that the current leader may have thought of? Why can’t they support him to execute those plans successfully during his tenure? We all viewed the CEM’s message on the news telling us all he has done in the last four months and of things in the pipeline. All he needs is the support of his colleagues! Why is he being deprived his second chance? Last time the demand for change of leadership was because the CEM was taking unilateral decisions. This time around we hear that it is inappropriate to take too much time to decide (as the leader consults the House before taking a final decision). So do these decisions pertain to the interests of the general masses or only that of a few individuals? When a person is appointed to an office, he needs time to adjust before he can produce results. Furthermore, what is most needed at a time like this is the complete support for the leader, to bring out the best in him. But four months down the line there is a clamour for another leader! Is the KHADC only about a leadership change?
Now, the state government wants Administrative Rule in KHADC while the Governor is yet to take the final call. What next? We hear whispers that the Councils are best abolished. Stability is the need of the hour. The state government’s plans for administrator’s rule can be halted if the MDCs unite and extend unstinted support to the current leader and allow him to complete his term. Let us not repent the decision to vote the present MDCs to power. The ARPA should stand united against all odds and prove that they can deliver what was promised. Let not the obvious political storm tempt the MDCs to take people for a ride even as they fulfill their private aspirations and forget the people who elected them. We exercised our rights and now it is the turn of the MDCs to fulfill their promises towards the indigenous Khasi tribe.
Yours etc.,
Rupert Lyngdoh,
Via email