Editor,
I was deeply disturbed when I read in your daily last Saturday that the distance ban on liquor shops is being diluted. Subsequent to this was the revelation that the resources of the state were diminished and the state apparatus would have to economise. These two news items are apparently unrelated but the connection is very much there and augurs ill for our population. At this time of the year, all concerned government departments and NGOs clamour about the so- called menace of drug abuse, possibly to exhaust government funds earmarked for this activity, The rest of the year all is quiet about this so called social evil.
We must understand that alcohol is the first psychoactive drug ever used by man. It is so harmful to humans that it would not pass present tests used to assess new drugs. Yet it continues to be the most commonly abused drug worldwide and billions are wasted on the futile “war on drugs”. This lost war can be tackled only if there is political will as the profits involved in this industry are so huge that it is ranked third behind the Oil and Arms industries worldwide.
The problem of substance dependence is a medical one and is of epidemic proportions. Yet we are made to see it otherwise with the disastrous consequences that are there for all to see. The decision to take a psychoactive drug like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis or heroin is a personal one. We need to examine ourselves to see where we as a generation have failed our children and allowed harmful substance use like alcohol to thrive. We blame the young, forgetting that they do not have any role models anymore.
Maybe it is time to look at countries like Portugal which have legalised psychoactive drugs, The money saved in combating substance abuse can fund Detox and Rehab Centres. Law enforcement agencies can be freed to perform mandated duties and the revenue earned by the state can fund education and health care, creating infrastructure that are so woefully inadequate.
Just the fact that alcohol is legal does not make it any less harmful than heroin. Do we have the political will and the social conscience to see and face facts as they are? Alcohol and tobacco are maligned everywhere. Every child knows this. Has it stopped their use and abuse? Prohibition or Temperance? Disturbing questions that have to be asked.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Sandi Syiem,
Via email
Rejoinder
Editor, In response to the baseless allegations reported in the letters to the editor defaming our name, we have filed an FIR with the police both in East and West Jaintia Hills District to investigate and to verify the facts from the Organisation and to apprehend such individuals who are indulging in such allegations for reasons best known to these culprits.
Yours etc.,
John F Kharshiing,
Shillong – 14
Revisiting cement plants & other industries in Meghalaya
Editor,
From reports and writings in the media, especially, The Shillong Times, and from what is gathered from the recent Meghalaya Assembly debates on cement plants in Jaintia Hills, there appears to be several illegalities and irregularities in the various processes which have enabled the setting up of cement plants in that district. There seems to be manipulations in the Land Transfer Act; manipulations in land leases; manipulations in the transfer of land and manipulations of the exact area in the land leases and transfer of land and also of giving environmental clearances to the setting up of the industries. There also appear to be manipulations in the exact time period in the leasing of land to the cement companies.
Another aspect is the callousness and negligence of the Meghalaya Government especially the State Forest Department, the Ministry of Environment & Forests, the Mining Department and the Industries Department in dealing with the whole matter. Is it not a fact that these cement plants have brought environmental disaster in that part of Jaintia Hills? Is it not a fact that vast tracts of forest land has been destroyed in the Narpuh, Rymbai and Sutnga Doiloiships? Is it not a fact that the cause of the poisoning and colouring of the water of Lunar and Lukha rivers is because of the industrial wastes and toxic effluent emanated from these cement plants? Have these consequences come about because of the carelessness of the State Government? What steps will the Government take to rectify the glaring mistakes committed by it? What will be the future of the State if things are allowed to go in this way?
Further, we do not know what has the government has done to enable the setting up of the other types of industries in the state by various companies, especially the steel and alloy types? What steps will the Government take to review and revisit the earlier Single Window approval granted to these industries? I am sure these industries also release a lot of industrial effluents and toxic wastes that cause environmental pollution of unimaginable scale! I urge the government to institute an expert high powered inquiry commission to inquire into the whole gamut of impacts in setting up of these industries.
Again, what benefits have they brought to Meghalaya by way of revenue, employment and other social responsibility or whether they benefit only those few businessmen and politicians of the state who give them the indulgence and political and business patronage?.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Sexual violence against women
Editor,
This refers to your report “Crime against women, drug menace on Govt priority list” (ST – March 11, 2017). As stated by CM Mukul Sangma, reviving fast track and special courts and strengthening police stations in the wake of rising crime against women and children is the need of the hour. Time has helplessly watched women suffering in the form of discrimination, oppression, exploitation, degradation, aggression, humiliation. In a country where women and girls are traditionally revered as the Mother and the Goddess, this is simply unacceptable. A society that is unable to respect, protect and nurture its women and children loses its moral moorings and runs adrift. The major lacuna in the laws is that they are not gender neutral. Many women and their family members, therefore, misuse them to settle scores, intimidate and harass the husband and his family. It is not uncommon to project self-inflicted injuries as assault by husbands. Sensitivity training and knowledge of the rights of women and children are another vital need and must be made mandatory for all law enforcement agencies. To increase the reporting of such cases, at first we need to empower the women and children. They must be educated on their rights and encourage them to come forward to register the cases. There are many violent cases but due to stigma in the society very few are reported. The problem cannot be solved by the government alone but we need to reignite core values and traditions that respect and nurture women and children.
As regards crime against children, child abuse has been going on for years and the child often has no true realization of being abused and the implications, until they gain mental maturity. Perhaps, lack of awareness and open communication within the family, fear of being stigmatized and not being trusted dissuades young victims from speaking up. By creating awareness among parents in order to monitor changes in their child’s behaviour is one of the methods to alleviate this problem. But if the system is reformed, we can ensure that such crimes against children and women are minimised
Yours etc,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad – 15