Editor,
It pains my heart to see and read in the media about the series of rapes and murders of young girls committed in several places of the state. In the past, sexual harassment and rape followed by murder, were topics attributed to hoodlums. At that time, the concept of beauty and fashion inspired ladies to wear several layers of clothes which were later reduced for comfort’s sake. Thus in a lonely spot, it would take quite a long time for a rapist to commit the criminal act. Often than not, he was caught for sure by the mob; dragged into a public place and beaten black and blue. It did not matter whether the perpetrator is tribal or non- tribal. He was shaved on three sides of his already swollen head ;thrown into prison by police authorities ; judged, convicted and either died by hanging or sent to “Kala pani “ which was then the isolated and much feared Andaman island; and forgotten by both the rulers and the ruled. What a quick, good riddance of an old rubbish!
Those were happy days in old Shillong town, where Money and Politics could not and dared not play the role of Religiosity and Justice. In our youth and when in danger, we always ran up to our own men folk for protection. Many of these brave-hearts had passed away but no one can deny the fact that they were true gentlemen to the core. They were Heroes in our minds and in our hearts. Today, that social harmony and security has receded into the shadows. Going by the actual events, I am so afraid that in ten or twenty years time, perhaps the female population in the state will come down to almost nil. Perhaps it is good to remember that the extinction of any human race from the face of the earth is also due to the extinction of its own womenfolk – a food for thought and action if any…
Yours etc.,
Cassandra Syiemlieh,
Via email
Manner and etiquette expected
Editor,
Any person paying a visit to the SP’s Office to meet the officers for important matters would not visit without a reason. Those who have visited would expect manners and decency from those manning it outside in the public corridor but that is lacking. The officers may not be aware of what happens outside their office but experience tells us that those who are on duty attending on the officers should learn how to behave, speak and address the public in the right manner. It is observed that manners and etiquette are totally absent even amongst the lower grade which portrays the poor quality of human resource in the state police. We hope the authorities in the SP’s office take heed of the matter lest it becomes an embarrassment to them.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
Judicial intervention against animal sacrifice
Editor,
The historic Kamakhya temple attracted the wrath of animal rights activists due to animal sacrifice in the name of culture, religion and tradition. Animal sacrifice is a part of ‘Durga Puja’ and ‘Navratri’ celebrations in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha and Nepal where buffaloes are slain for the victory of Durga. The crowds witness animal sacrifices with a lot of excitement. Almost 1000 animals are butchered across Assam during this festival. Jnanpith winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami was deeply religious but never supported any animal sacrifice rituals. No God demands bloodshed. It is illegal and unconstitutional. We need a sustained campaign to educate devotees to have compassion for animals.
As per Indian slaughterhouse rules and FSSAI regulations, no animals can be butchered outside a licensed slaughter house. Also there is Section 428 (killing or maiming animal) in the IPC. The southern and western states of India implement Animals and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act since the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 does not prohibit animal sacrifice at religious places. It has been completely banned in Uttarakhand since 2011 after strong criticism by Maneka Gandhi for the infamous ‘Bhukhal Mela’ in Garhwal. Even Bollywood star Salman Khan was charged with killing endangered species of black buck in 1988. Neighbouring Nepal put a ban on aminal slaughter in ‘Gadhimai festival’ in 2015 where lakhs of animals are sacrificed after an international campaign led by British actress Joanna Lumley. Can Assam live up to that expectation? Sadly the irony is that the Supreme Court refuses to interfere and stop the century-old traditions of different communities.
Yours etc.,
Kamal Baruah
Guwahati
Rebuilding Kashmir
Editor,
This refers to the thought-provoking article “Rebuilding Kashmir: Is it possible ?” by Ananya S Guha (ST- Sept 27). The issue of Kashmir is a chronic one, and has festered for nearly three quarters of a century. Those familiar with Kashmir’s history would be aware that violence in Jammu and Kashmir generally tends to come in “waves”. The centre and state governments have been deliberately silent till the situation exploded. Problems are due to the insincere and inept polity. Unrest in Kashmir reveals the failures of the ruling People’s Democratic Party. To be fair to the security forces, they have faced exceptional ferocity from groups of young people. Slogans are becoming the main instigators of violence even though sloganeering has been a part of long cherished history of the world.
The security forces do not appear to be following standard operating procedure. Whenever there is a riot, there are plenty of ways in which the situation can be dealt with. The country needs a tough law to curb the misuse of information technology. India always thought that Peace can be made by sincerely addressing grievances. India must take its cue from those instances and solve the Kashmiri conundrum once and for all. Tourism is the main business of Jammu & Kashmir , which gives employment & business to lakhs and crores of local people. This business can only flourish if there is peace and tranquility. Countries across the world must unite to fight terror so that the innocent people of Kashmir can live in peace and not in pieces. It should also be the responsibility of every citizen to cooperate with government as well as our armed force in the way of making terror free and peaceful Jammu & Kashmir. Good governance and good policy will address the problem to a very large extent.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad – 15