Editor,
Article 14 of the Indian Constitution states that all are equal before the law, yet it is surprising that when the rich or the influential commit a crime, the legal system is very slow to act. The tardy legal process encourages more crimes. The year 2017 began with the molestation of girls on the New Year’s eve in M.G road Bangalore. It was in January this year that I too was in Bangalore and this news spread like wild fire. However, the culprits of this particular crime were immediately arrested and the case proceeding very quickly because the culprits were common people. On the other hand when I read the news from Meghalaya I found that an MLA Julius Dorphang of Mawhati constituency was accused of raping a minor girl of 14 years. On New Year’s eve there was an incident of rape in Mawryngkneng but the Sordar sided with the rapists. How shameful it is to hear of news from our own state where the matrilineal system is extolled sky high. It is unimaginable that an MLA committed such a crime after being elected by the people to represent the constituency in the Assembly. He is supposed to be the law maker, the protector and the guardian of the people. It is also very shameful that our state legislative system has produced not only corrupt politicians but also a rapist. I believe that people had elected him to fight for their rights and to bring development in the constituency, not to acquire power in order to do whatever he likes to the common people.
I am shocked to see the news report that the case of Dorphang, the accused rapist is still pending in the court. Why should the legal system be so slow to act on this matter? First of all rape is a serious crime and to rape a girl below 18 years of age is absolutely unacceptable, more so for a lawmaker. Let us not forget how HNLC used Operation Kyllang to deal with this crime and I am sure that Dorphang knew very well about this operation when he was the Chairman of the outfit. It is very unfortunate that in spite of the pressure by the Child Protection Council under the POSCO Act, the CSWO, TUR and other NGO networks of North East, the legal system is yet to dispose off this case. What about the victim/s who have been waiting for justice since the beginning of the year? Justice delayed is truly justice denied.
Yours etc.,
Aiborlang Nongsiej
Mawkyrwat
South West Khasi Hills
Mamata soft on terror; hard on subservient Gorkhas
Editor,
The nation wants to know why Mamata is so inhuman towards the citizens of Darjeeling and Sikkim. Lots of videos that have gone viral on social media are enough to arouse a sense of outrage against the West Bengal Govt and empathy for those who suffered under the Mamata regime. These videos are potential evidences to legally implicate the West Bengal administration. Trinamool ruffians aside, on several occasions, the Bengal police themselves have been noticed acting like highway robbers. In Siliguri town, they deliberately halted the vehicles heading towards Darjeeling and Sikkim and unloaded the bags of food items, maybe medicines, and also humiliated the passengers/owners. How on earth could the administration and police forces be employed to make the citizens suffer? Is it not utter cruelty of the West Bengal government which is constitutionally condemnable?
On other hand, this state is apparently too soft towards certain communities these days because of which West Bengal has often witnessed many horrifying activities that have literally convulsed the state. Here now exist a swarm of “special citizens” who never hesitate to have a connection even with terror elements/groups within and outside. But they all are well snuggled by all-comforting and forgiving Chief Minister. It is often reported that many of her loving voters, who are mostly ill-bred but over pampered, were even caught red-handed manufacturing bombs. Such “special citizens” are round-the-clock posing threats to the “indigenous Bengali” populace also — “Baduria and Basirhat communal” clashes being the latest. In the midst of anti-national slogans, the rampant violence and arson attacks against other communities here, the army has no power to use even a “Lathi” while in Darjeeling Didi has given the draconian power to the army even to gun down innocent pedestrians.
Yes, thus the West Bengal CM’s excessive passion for remaining in power has amply brought out what is worst in humans. She never gave a “second thought” to deploy the central forces in Darjeeling. And consequently, seven innocent Gorkhas have so far been shot dead and countless others injured. But it has not touched the CM’s heart. Her police force often pounce upon even the poor and naïve women from the villages and torture them brutally. It is usually expected of one wrapped in a “white sari”, and with a “hawai chappal”, to always walk on the path of humility and compassion, not ever being overcome by the materialistic greed and antagonism. But Mamata has virtually beaten even the snobbish pretense of a Bollywood star by cleverly masking her “true self” with the garb of “sanyaasini’’. One wonders when Didi will truly realize that her downright disparity in action and policies, inhuman treatment towards the Gorkhas in Darjeeling and a series of scams by her party men have long sullied her “lily white sari”.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong -2