Editor,
In her letter, “Silly Turf Wars” (ST May 13, 2015), Karen Wahlang, has in her diatribe against the institution of the Rangbah Shnong called them “a bunch of hypocrites” who shun the idea of women’s representation in the Dorbar Shnong”. With particular reference to Laitumkhrah, the Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong Pyllun (LDSP) has always stood for and encouraged representation of women in the Dorbar Shnong. The LDSP is one of the few Dorbar Shnong that allow women to vote in the Dorbar. The LDSP is also one of the few Dorbar Shnong that have women representatives in the Executive Committee. Further, the different Dorbar Dong under LDSP has women representatives as Executive Members. For the record, the LDSP is in complete accord with the view of the increasing association of women in every facet of the Dorbar Shnong and the progressive realization of women taking up key roles in the Dorbar Shnong. The author should therefore check her facts and abstain from branding all Rangbah Shnong as hypocrites.
In the same letter, Karen Wahlang continues to paint all Rangbah Shnong with the same brush alleging that they usurp Govt. schemes for themselves and their family members. On this point, as far as Laitumkhrah is concerned, Government Schemes are not routed though the Dorbar Shnong. Hence the LDSP is in no way involved in allotting Government Schemes or influencing decisions taken by the Government and public representatives. Karen Wahlang should therefore provide full details of such “usurped” schemes instead of indulging in generalized accusations with no supporting facts.
Further, the Rangbah Shnong “(especially Laitumkhrah)” has been accused of issuing NOC to traders “in exchange for hefty bribes.” We request Karen Wahlang to provide details as to which Rangbah Shnong was the said bribe paid to and the parties involved in such illegal transactions, so that suitable criminal action can be taken against such person. More so Karen Wahlang should know that all NOCs in Laitumkhrah are first recommended by the respective Dong of which there are 11 in number each headed by a Rangbah Dong. Only then does the Dorbar Shnong issue the NOC. Let Karen Wahlang provide corroborative evidence and file an FIR with the relevant authorities instead of bringing forth such unsubstantiated allegations.
The writer has also stated that “not a single NOC has ever been issued on its own merit to tribals and non tribals alike under the current office holder in Laitumkhrah.” Again I would like to clarify that in Laitumkhrah there are 3(three) Rangbah Shnong i.e. the undersigned, Mr. T.P. Nongrum and Mr. G.M. Bruce Sawkmie. Is she suggesting that all the 3(three) persons mentioned above are corrupt? Since she alleges that all NOCs have been given in exchange for money, the writer should provide copies of such NOCs to the press including details of bribes involved so that the general public and the authorities are informed.
The three Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah are of the view that the said letter has been written to malign the institution of Rangbah Shnong in general and the Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong Pyllun in particular. The letter makes sweeping generalizations without any substantive basis. As the Chairman and Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah and as an executive member of the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong, I respect differing opinions on the issue of empowering the Rangbah Shnong, but such opinions should be based on objective evidence and use of civilized language and not based on wild allegations and crass language which indicate a poor upbringing. We do not expect respectable citizens to arbitrarily malign the character and integrity of individuals using the cover of anonymity provided by a letter to the editor of a newspaper. Since every individual has the constitutional right to be heard, we will not desist from using every legal means available to unmask authors of such type of scurrilous writing.
Yours etc.,
S B Nongdhar
Chairman and Rangbah Shnong
Laitumkhrah Dorbar Shnong Pyllun
Every politician must fast unto death!
Editor,
Through your newspaper, I would like to offer my whole-hearted support to KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum for his fast-unto-death. There cannot be an easier solution to Meghalaya’s problems if every one of our politicians can be cajoled to embark on a death fast with immediate effect. I and others will offer personalized assistance in counting down the last hours and marking the time of death. We will even arrange the funeral rites free of cost. All this is subject to the guarantee that Nongrum does not find some flimsy excuse to break his fast when alarm bells start ringing in his tummy. Let the farce begin!
Yours etc.,
Alan Tynsong
Shillong -3
Do we need this Govt!
Editor
I am ashamed to live in a Meghalaya where the Chief Minister and his entire cabinet is setting new standards for stupidity and cowardliness in dealing with KSU, FKJGP, HNYF and other hard-core fringe elements. They have proved that law and justice can be twisted to accommodate criminals at any time in our state. High Court judgments are being summarily rejected by the Govt who wants to create a Frankenstein’s Monster (Rangbah Shnong) instead and grant it unlimited powers. Our fate is decided by the cowards led by Mukul Sangma who are determined to lick the feet of pressure group leaders on every issue. Pressure groups have forced this Govt of pansies to back down time and again on every important issue. This time the Govt has even agreed to withdraw all cases filed during the ILP agitation against pressure groups. Every one of these 92 CRIMINAL CASES filed under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act will now be withdrawn. In a single sweep of his imperious hand, Mukul Sangma has overturned the Justice System on its head! In any other Indian State, the Govt would have locked up these criminals and thrown away the key a long time ago. But in Meghalaya, PRESSURE GROUPS RULE while CHIEF MINISTER ESCAPES on foreign jaunts (that have no aim or purpose) every couple of months.
The sit-in demonstration by Pro-ILP activists turned ugly because the Govt was unprepared and caught unawares , as is so often the case. Our security forces are adept at harassing the common man on the roads but their guns and lathis turn to butter when they have to face down pressure groups. Your newspaper’s front page picture of a policeman getting trampled by the mob while his colleagues offer token resistance, is a classic symbol for Meghalaya Police’s lack of grit and determination. The local police are great at moral policing and extracting parking fines, but little else I fear. They are just not equipped (mentally) to solve the simplest of crimes or handle unruly mobs. The pressure groups know this only too well. No amount of training and equipment can solve the issue of mass demoralization of the police force. It would be so much more efficient to employ central forces to tackle pressure groups instead of local policemen. All this street drama would be over in a jiffy if central security forces are given charge. But then, does our CM (some say Nero) have the guts to make such radical but common-sense decisions? If Mukul Sangma can find neither guts nor common-sense, then he should step down!
Yours etc.,
Bennett Mawthoh
Shillong -14