Editor,
If ever there was an outrage on the dignity of women, it is the way the Sordar of Mawryngkneng handled the case of the rape victim and the consequences thereof. I for one, was filled with disgust when I read the news item ‘Gang rape victim writes to SCPCR…’ (ST, March 21, 2017).
Everything that the Sordar and his cronies (including villagers) have done is contrary to truth, justice, ethics and logic. In the subsequent news, the Sordar had to write to the people not to do anything against the victim (this is out of fear of the long arm of the law). Shouldn’t it be the other way around and he should be asking the people not to do anything against the alleged rapists? And why would he raise the question of her going out at night? Doesn’t she have the right? Or do the nights at Mawryngkneng belong to criminals only? Isn’t it his duty or for that matter the duty of the citizens there to ensure safety to people day or night? After a traumatic experience, the victim needed support and assurance not only from her family but also from the community. And here again, is where the shame of the community lies. Instead of getting support, she now faces fear of isolation and ostracism. Is this the new normal at Mawryngkneng? It is clear as day that the Sordar has scant regards for truth and justice that he thought (as shown in her letter) that payment of a measly one thousand rupees by the culprits could ever compensate for the physical and mental anguish that the victim suffered. Does this mean that a criminal who has money to pay can commit the same crime again and again as long as he is willing to pay or spend? At the time where the issue of crimes against women are a household topic of discussion, along came a person (and that too, a traditional community leader) to give a boost to the ‘other side.’ Imagine what would become of the safety of our wives and daughters if other community and traditional heads take a page from this person? And another thing, how can he be a leader of a ‘jaitbynriew’ when he cannot get past petty family consideration over a grave issue of women’s safety and dignity.
Now we have a situation where criminals and those who support them are considered heroes and victims are further victimised. Move over UP and Bihar.
Yours etc.,
Monkhmer Lyngdoh,
Via email
Response to a learned Supreme Court lawyer
Editor,
Apropos the news report which appeared on page seven in your esteemed daily on March 24, 2017, “Land Act not conducive to State”, a learned Supreme Court lawyer’s perception of the meaning and purpose of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act is at odds with that of the common man’s interpretation of it.
Yours etc.,
Morning Star Sumer,
Shillong – 2
Underutilized red buses
Editor,
These days some parts of Shillong have become graveyards of red buses (SPTS) which have broken down. Some of them have no more tyres left, others have parts removed away. Humorously, a friend of mine once said that these spoilt buses could have been used as shelters for poor and homeless families. We know that these busses have come from the central government as part of the urban development project and so it is entirely public money. It is unfortunate that public money is being squandered in such a manner. Whichever agencies involved in running these buses under the contract system, seem least bothered about repairing them perhaps because they are government property. Instead it appears that any broken down bus is left abandoned here and there with no claimant absolutely. These broken down buses left on roadsides are not only causing obstruction but they also ruin the image of our city. It seems that there are too many red buses flooding the state, so much so, there seems to be no more routes to deploy them. As a result, we see four or five busses plying simultaneously on the same route with hardly enough passengers inside. It is evident that the government has not come up with a pragmatic idea of utilizing these assets effectively. What a sad irony when I sometimes see school children in villages trekking for kilometres to reach their schools because there is no conveyance, and yet here in the city we have surplus of these buses, many of them lying idle. Can the government not channelize these assets to these villages to benefit those poor children? We speak of the growing menace of traffic congestion in Shillong especially during the school hours. Can the government think of running these red busses as school busses? Certain embarking locations in different zones of the city could be identified and parents could drop their children there, whereupon these buses could transport them back and forth to the respective schools. One bus can avoid the flow of at least 20 private vehicles. Imagine how many small vehicles could be rid of our busy streets if these buses are deployed in such a manner. If the government is gracious enough, it can donate these busses to the educational institutions to carry out the project. In this manner, the buses would be better maintained and operated. This is my humble suggestion as a concerned citizen of the State.
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie sdb,
Via email