Editor,
I was amused to read about the protest march by our traditional heads (SKNSKBH) against the Governor. They did a silent three rounds ( lai sien lai wat) of the road surrounding Raj Bhavan. Reading between the lines this three round business shows implicit faith on supernatural intervention to make the Governor sign the VAB. This faith can even create mountains out of Khasi molehills! His Excellency must be shivering in his shoes! But what if the supernatural refuses to intervene? What if wrong rituals displeased the almighty? But not to worry! Even veteran dramatists mess up their lines not to speak of bumbling greenhorns. The mistake can be redeemed simply by a few eggs (don’t forget they must be desi) to be smashed against a wooden board, a few betel nut leaves, some lime and some grains of rice on the 21st when the sit in begins. This is bound to attract divine attention not to forget intense media coverage.
It’s also so encouraging to see our traditional heads stepping out of tradition to embrace the modern. Rangbah Shnongs of the past were dry and conservative. They were so old fashioned; so conscious of prestige and honour that they even discouraged getting mixed up in party politics, resorting to pressure tactics and took offence when called NGOs. Today our Dorbar chiefs are more up-to-date. Keeping up with the times! They take out processions. They declare sit-ins when they don’t get what they want. Don’t be surprised if next they call for a Raj Bhavan gherao. Who will dare arrest them? They are above the law. Our traditional institutions have suddenly become pressure groups led by media and power hungry individuals! Let’s wish them luck!
Yours etc.,
KM Jyrwa
Via email
Cong vrs Cong
Editor,
After the fiasco of the Lapang mission for regime change in Meghalaya, another attempt is in the offing to destabilize the Mukul front and this is no longer the Lapang battery. It is a new front comprising firebrand MLAs like PNS, HDR, and few under-dog MDCs·who desire to upgrade themselves from Nursery to KG. This conglomeration of petty minded politicians supported by a hoard of power hungry Rangbah Shnong are the ones who organized the public rally at Polo Ground. It was a copy-cat version of Ardent’s style of trumpet blowing. While observing this political drama, I may mention here some of the facts collected from political sources about the men and their moves.
Mr PNS has been in the Legislative Assembly as MLA for two terms but is yet to enjoy his dream ministership. This deprivation has provoked anger and vengeance against the regime. Realizing the political threat that he may be sidelined and even lose the blessings of Mukul in 2018, he and his cohorts are now ganging up to show strength against the establishment on the pretext of demanding for the absurd VAB and opposing the MUDA byelaws, expecting that a miracle may happen and that Mukul would try to pacify him. He is wasting lakhs of hard earned money of the KHADC to organize the rally at Polo on September 7, 2015.
Mr HDR had enjoyed maximum power during 2008-2013 when he was given PWD, Home, etc where he had made a killing. Suddenly, now he is left high and dry with the penniless District Council Affairs and some tiny departments. His cherished dream of becoming the CM by fluke, coupled with his anger of not getting plum postings prompted him to join the Lapang battery in the war against Mukul and now in order to fish in troubled waters he is supporting the PNS bandwagon.
And then comes Antonio War. This Laitumkhrah youth was elected to the KHADC as MDC mainly by the blessings of the PG Marbaniang family. However he has remained an underdog for more than ten years now. These days he has become over-smart and is also attempting to upgrade himself from being MDC to being an MLA. He intends to contest the next MLA election from Malki-Laitumkhrah constituency against the three-time undisputed champ and giant killer – AMP, not realizing that the mighty AMP has the capability to dry him up and pin him down till he forgets to contest the next MDC elections.
Yours etc.,
Bayantimai Lakiang,
Shillong -1
Know your strength!
Editor,
The restlessness of the KHADC these days in pursuing the draconian law (Village Administration Bill) exhibits the narrow mindedness of the CEM and his group and their ignorance of law or their evil designs to gain cheap publicity and to garner votes. By so doing they have confused the general public and created instability in the society. Every educated person in the country is aware that the District Councils exist and function under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India. The 6th Schedule is only a fraction of the vast Constitution of India which is considered one of the longest Constitutions in the world today. Any bill passed by District Councils has to obtain the assent of the Governor of the state who is the constitutional head. The Governor has the power to summon, prorogue and even dissolve the District Councils. Para 12-A of the 6th Schedule enshrines upon the State Government to overrule the laws of the Councils in case they come in conflict with state laws. By convening the public rally the CEM and his group are trying to take things outside the purview of law. They want to incite further confusion in the minds of the citizens. The District Councils were given an inch but now they want to take a yard. They want to overrule the established norms of administration and to undermine the state government and the state legislature.
The activities of the District Councils at present are highly unconstitutional. The VAB should be viewed in the wider perspective so that it does not infringe and nullify the Fundamental Rights as enshrined in the Constitution of India. We would urge upon the Governor of Meghalaya to issue a word of caution to the CEM of the KHADC to remain calm and act as per law otherwise the KHADC should be declared a disturbed council that ought to be suspended or dissolved. In order to avoid such unpleasant state of affairs the Chief Minister should take note of the high handedness of the present CEM. If required the incumbent should be replaced. Lastly, we also urge the MLAs to discuss this issue in the Legislative Assembly in order to maintain the status and dignity of the State Legislature as laws duly passed by the Assembly cannot be rampantly disgraced and spoken cheaply of by dignitaries like the CEM, but to be complied with and implemented in the right spirit.
Yours etc.,
T L War & VR Lyngdoh Thabah,
Shillong-8