Editor,
The Govt has consistently failed to tackle the bandh problem in Meghalaya. Pressure groups and terrorist organizations like HNLC (and of late, Coal Mafia and Rangbah Shnong groups) have destroyed the peace and economy of the State by calling a bandh for every perceived grievance under the sun.
There are several reasons for the Govt’s failure. Firstly the Govt’s carrot and stick policy has been heavy on the carrot and light on the stick. It is unable to keep troublemakers and anti-social elements in prison where they belong. The recent incident where it succumbed to blackmail and withdrew 92 cases against KSU and other notorious pressure groups is a perfect example. In short, nobody takes the Govt seriously when it promises to take action against bandh calling groups.Secondly, the Administration becomes paralyzed whenever a bandh is called. Most Govt. officer-goers succumb to the temptation of staying at home using bandhs as an excuse. The Govt’s threats of pay cuts and ‘stern action’ are taken with a pinch of salt. Thirdly, Police and Paramilitary forces are always under-deployed during bandhs for some strange reason. Pickets, barricades, intensive patrolling and preventive arrests are a rarity here, unlike in other States. This does not inspire confidence in ordinary people to defy bandhs by going to work or keeping their business establishments open. The usual excuse that trickles down from the police top brass is ‘lack of manpower’. But the real issue is lack of ‘Willpower’, not ‘Manpower.’ The police have been reduced by their political masters to becoming a spent, demoralized, corrupt and politicized force, fit only to police traffic violations. The Home Minister is never seen and rarely heard (in between resignations). What are common people to do in such a situation? Defy bandhs and become sitting ducks for every miscreant that wants to take a shot at them? Has the Govt forgotten so soon how innocent people were BURNED ALIVE without any provocation, and how the Govt hasn’t made a single arrest in such cases? The whole Govt effort to curb bandhs is nothing but a Hoax!
Yours etc.,
Steven D. Nongkynrih
Pune
CCTV cameras only for the public?
Editor,
Every morning traffic police personnel of Lumdiengjri Police Station collect thousands of rupees from trucks parked along Paltan Bazar-Jeep Stand-Qualapatty Roads. This act is being committed right in front of the CCTV camera. Is this not an illegal act committed by the men in uniform? Are these CCTV cameras meant for surveillance of crimes committed by the public only?
Yours etc.,
Damonlang Lyngdoh
Shillong-2
A Taliban’s letter
Editor,
Balajied Kharshandi in his letter (ST May 16, 2015) has given credit to the Government of Meghalaya for acquitting Daniel Khyriem from all his crimes. This has caused the author to feel proud and joyous. The author stated that this leader is the saviour of the jaitbynriew. On the contrary, my observation is that this leader of the group of lazy young boys, school drop outs, incorrigible sons, extortionists, trouble mongers, etc. has caused shame and bad name to the Khasi community as he has been the one who incites nothing but violence and tension in these beautiful hills in recent times, which is confirmed by the author himself when he wrote ” Daniel Khyriem and other pro-ILP group leaders will be acquitted of all their CRIMES”. Luckily India is a democratic country where some amount of tolerance is palpable. Had it been in other countries of the world such people would have been punished outright. While reading the letter I feel as if I am living in a war like situation where everybody has to fight and cause violence against each other for protecting the self. Further, while I continued reading between the lines I find that the wordings are borrowed from words used by the jihadis in Afghanistan, Iraq Syria, etc. hence I could smell that the author of the letter is a Taliban by, blood and a Khasi by accident.
Yours etc.,
R. Mathew Kharkongor,
Shillong -8
Policeman trampled
Editor,
Being a policeman I am hurt when I read the news and saw photos where my fellow policeman was trampled by a group of unruly mob on the occasion when the NGOs of Meghalaya organized an agitation programme in Shillong on May 13, 2015, yet none of the security personnel present on the spot could take action against the mob. Can anybody tell me why such things happen? Is there no law to tackle these unruly boys? Are we to let loose and allow them to create havoc and create terror in the State?
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Horrific letter
Editor,
The letter (ST May 16, 2015) authored by one Balajied Kharshandi is quite horrifying to readers like me. It creates a sense of hatred, unrest and communal violence in the society. The press should contribute in bringing peace and tranquility in the society. Please refrain from publishing such intimidating letters as some anti social elements may take advantage of such intimidation and cause all types of criminal activities in Shillong. Mr Policeman, please locate the author and give him appropriate counseling to reform himself.
Yours etc.,
Bahun Mylliemngap,
Shillong- 2