Friday, January 10, 2025
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Misuse of power by traditional heads

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Editor,

This is not the first time that the Sordar of Mawryngkneng is in the news. He in fact is a publicity hound but now he is in the news for unsavoury reasons. How dare he ask the family members of the rape victim (of New Year’s eve) not to inform “outsiders,” about the heinous crime? What does he mean by outsiders? Does he mean that even a non-compoundable criminal offence like rape should be hushed up just because he says so and because the rapists are the victim’s neighbours? How dare he work out a compromise between the rapists and the victims and her family? Who does he think he is? In fact he reminds us of some of those sarpanchs of Haryana who try to hush up rape cases by making the victim marry the molestor. This is outrageous and the courts should take note of this man’s attempt to encroach onto the domain of the constitutional law by invoking traditional means of compromise. No one can give back a woman’s dignity after she is raped but the Sordar thinks he is bigger than even the constitutional authorities and is trying to take the law in his hands. It is high time the women of Meghalaya stage a statewide protest against the spate of rapes that are happening on a daily basis. Enough is enough! And as for the State Commission for Women, mere condemnation is not enough. The Commission should use its powers to summon the perpetrators of violence against women and question them even while the police do their job.

Yours etc.,

EK Lyngdoh,

Via email  

Misogynistic culture

Editor,

It is a matter of national shame that at the start of this new year, we are witnessing the unfortunate events of women being violated in other parts of India as well as in our own State. The Bengaluru episode on New Year’s day is a highly condemnable act and those culprits should be brought to justice at all cost. The rape case by an MLA, Julius Dorphang is another event that calls for stringent action against such perpetrators of crimes against women. It is strange that in a country where some women like Indira Gandhi, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Sonia Gandhi, Mamta Banerjee and others have almost been idolized, such disparaging acts against the weaker sex have been committed. It is still ironical that in Khasi society where women occupy a privileged status and command such great respect, such violations against them is being committed. This is not the first time that such despicable acts have been reported. Incidents of violation against women and even against minor girls, have been reported abundantly in the last few years. In some instances such innocent victims have been brutally killed or injured. Men blaming women of indecent dresses are common excuses to justify their criminal acts. If men could dress as they wish why should women be deprived of their right to do so? Moral policing by some fanatical men folk is unacceptable in a civilized world. Perhaps it is time for our nation to change our mentality, attitude and behaviour towards women. Women are not sex objects to be exploited but they are our mothers, sisters and daughters. They are citizens of equal rights and they have an indispensable role to play in the growth and development of our country.

Yours etc.,

Barnes Mawrie sdb

Via email

Whither law and order?

Editor,

The case of Julius Dorphang an MLA accused in the rape and trafficking case along with those running the Guest House belonging to the Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh’s son is getting murkier.  When will the guilty be punished? The police department ironically, is busy reminding and assuring the public of its competence in cracking the heinous crime, obviously trying to show that it is not under any pressure. But the crux is, why are relevant sections 21 (1) & (2) of the POCSO Act  not been invoked? Another instance is of a rape case by six persons at Mawryngkneng in which a police officer had refused to file an FIR in the first instance because the complaint was verbal, is a clear violation of the Supreme Court’s directive which is a serious miscarriage of justice and should merit poor marking in the officer’s ACR. We wonder whether  there is anything called respect and fear for the law. Is the law being used only by those in power and authority to get their way? We start the New Year on a very depressing and shameful note Hope the honourable High Court of Meghalaya takes a suo moto action on speeding up the entire investigation on the sensation rape cases.

Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3

Trains unsafe today

Editor,

Misplaced priorities and criminal negligence towards passenger safety is causing one rail accident after another. What an irony that while the Ahmedabad – Mumbai, bullet train project will cost more than Rs.1 lakh crore; financial constraints hinder track renewal, replacement of coaches, modernisation of signalling systems and recruitment of personnel in the Indian Railways. Given that most of the railway tracks need immediate replacement/ maintenance, how can railways afford such a luxury? Why on earth have we been taken for a (Bullet) ride?

Yours etc.,

Sujit De,

Kolkata

 

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