Editor,
After reading UDP General Secretary A.F Dkhar’s rejoinder to the criticism against Dr Donkupar Roy and the UDP from various quarters, I am left disillusioned with the party’s vision for the people of Meghalaya. What Dkhar is proposing is nothing short of anarchy and lawlessness where ‘might is right’. From his letter, it becomes clear that the UDP does not see anything wrong in using violence to retaliate against perceived wrongs. It endorses political victimization of serving bureaucrats. This is a clear indication that UDP has abjured democratic principles. If such is not the case, then will Dkhar kindly explain why he feels obliged to defend the violence and mayhem by pressure groups with whom his party shares a close association? Will he also enlighten us about the protocol followed by an Opposition leader to transfer a SDO (Civil) for filing an FIR against criminals? Is that not a crime in itself, to thwart justice and shield the guilty? What was the SDO (Civil)’s crime besides stopping UDP supporters from beating up people? The UDP Gen. Secy. has also taken it upon himself to caution a critic by the name of Nathaniel Dkhar. This comes across as a threat more than anything else. According to A.F. Dkhar’s twisted logic, the law can be used as a weapon to silence critics of the UDP and its bosom buddies, but not against a party which is an avid supporter of borderline criminals and human-burning psychopaths. I strongly advice A.F. Dkhar and the UDP to reverse their free-fall into the Stone Age and start living in the present. People are no longer fooled by the immigrant paranoia conveniently whipped up by UDP and pressure groups in order to remain relevant. A party that thrives on violence and anarchy has nothing to offer for peace-loving, sensible citizens.
Yours etc.,.
A Tariang,
Via email
The Lion King
Editor,
The deadline given by the Vice President, HSPDP to the MUA Govt is rather strange. Is he a dictator or is he doing this for attention? What does he want to prove now? Does he really think that agitating and serving the Govt a deadline is what we really need here? To the trained eye this is nothing but a ploy for making political capital. Mr Ardent Basaiawmoit, it is very clear that you wish to empower these Rangbah Shnong so that they can command the masses. Well let me tell you this, I have seen the wrong- doings of the Rangbah Shnong. The fact is that you are holding three offices viz MLA, MDC and Chairman of the Dorbar Laitkor. You totally understand what is going to happen if the Rangbah Shnong is powerless. I am of the opinion that holding power and carrying out duties as a Rangbah Shnong is fair and fine, but using the same power to discriminate in every possible way, to create laws and implement them whimsically and then most importantly assisting and favoring a particular person during elections through programs imposed by the Rangbah Shnong and his Committee are not fair or democratic. The Dorbar Shnong have no administrative policy and no financial transparency. There is bias in distribution of goods and services. The Rangbah Shnong enjoy the power to ostracize and also charge fees for NOCs. Isn’t this an exercise of raw power?
Fear always makes people submit to a higher power and to seek a leader to lead them out of their distress. We need to let this FEAR die NOW. We need to be free. Hence the best option is to bestow power on the Rangbah Shnong on ONE condition. There have to be clear operating guidelines and a code of conduct within which the Rangbah Shnong functions. They can no longer implement self- designed laws. We need to take to task the Rangbah Shnong who do not abide by those guidelines. Let us not forget that a complaint against the functioning of the Rangbah Shnong was filed by the very people of this land. Does that not tell us that people have had enough or this arbitrary system? That they will no longer silently bow their heads in submission! As rightly stated by the common masses this is a scenario of mixing traditional laws with hidden political agendas. I state categorically that the Laitkor Dorbar under the leadership of the new Chairman is facing a negative impact. Any political issue that the MLA cum MDC wishes to raise is also reflected through the Office of the Dorbar Pyllun that he chairs. Prior to this it came as a great shock and surprise to many of us that he and his office bearers actually publicized through the media that the entire population in Laitkor is in favour of the implementation of the Inner Line Permit. Mr. Chairman it’s time you know that you cannot speak on my behalf and that of the others who are not even in sync with the way you raise issues. So how can you and your office speak for us as a village? Yet again you seem to forget that we placed you there not to build your cheap political career. You cannot and should not involve and direct the Dorbar politically with the sole intent to meet your personal interests. Initially the people are actually happy with the High Court ruling because many headmen are playing politics and abusing their powers. Power and greed has destroyed the minds and souls of people. We have lost our conscience and even if we know a demand is wrong we jump in for other benefits. If all along Headmen and Sordar are issued a Sanad why is it that they cannot produce the Sanad so that the public can read if it actually empowers them to issue a NOC? Villagers may be illiterate but they have a traditional wisdom to be able to identify right from wrong. So taking advantage of them is pointless. It’s time we create awareness in the right manner. We will assemble and gather and we will take this up to a higher platform if the need arises.
Can anyone explain why some headmen take a fee of Rs 500 for renewals of residential certificates of residents of the locality? Some headmen have the audacity to sit outside a bank and identify that people are not from his village, as these villagers did not vote for his candidate. Some headmen charge 10% for sale of land without receipts; some headmen and Sordar sell off Raid Land, (Community Land) and to top it all they are not even transparent and accountable. Power has to be used with responsibility and guidelines are needed to govern and judge the effectiveness of an office. Let us rather work on getting that done. Mr Ardent Basaiawmoit and his ilk should stop dragging the masses to the streets. We elected you to debate and make laws in the Assembly. Let us not even get to the part that you and the HSPDP are neither in power nor are you in the opposition. So it seems like a free salary take. The masses will be enlightened, but not through shut-downs and indirect kick on the stomachs of the labourers. We may be in the villages but we are not so unwise to not see what is happening. It is time to STOP this cheap publicity stunt and man up to your duties and responsibilities towards your office.
Yours etc.,
Rupert Lyngdoh,
Via email