Editor,
There are a couple of passages from the Bible which come to mind as I reflect on what has happened in the last few days. The book of Proverbs states, “It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.” Another passage states, “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.” And finally another passage says, “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.” I would like to propose some suggestions, that I hope would help bring normalcy in the state. Firstly, I believe that the government cannot succumb to any external pressure, whether socio- political or religious in the administration of justice. The government should not look at the present situation simply as a challenge but also have the courage to consider it as an opportunity to bring about long term solutions.
People from outside who live in Shillong, or other parts of Meghalaya have a right to feel safe and secure to live within the boundaries of this state. However, the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people also have a right to not feel threatened and insecure about the future of their future generation. Laws have to be in place to ensure that this land, geographically speaking will always remain with the indigenous peoples who have inhabited this state for the past few centuries. The government, time and again has simply failed at maintaining the boundaries of this state. Secondly the Khasi and Jaintia community have to seriously deal with the elephant in the room that nobody likes to talk about.
A lot of insecurities that have surfaced in the past few days are simply a manifestation of how we as a community and especially men feel. It’s about time that the fathers and the elders of our community start really giving due worth to their sons, even as they continue to do so with their daughters. Some might not see this as an injustice, but it is about time that we evaluate and analyze elements of the tradition we practice. It is important that we take time to think, and not simply join the crowd. Thirdly, it is also important for outsiders who live in this state, to honour and appreciate the land and people. They should not give the impression that they are here simply to make money. Fourthly, the church has a big problem if this is the way our people react each time something like this happens. I am saying this not because we call ourselves a Christian state, but simply because of the number of people who profess themselves to be Christians. This just indicates how good or how bad a job as a church we have done in the past few centuries. It is the job of the government to administer justice, but it is the job of the church to administer mercy.
Yours etc.,
Pyndapbha Warjri,
Via email
Give police their due
Editor,
Police forces throughout the country have been doing a yeoman’s service to the society having to discharge their duties for long hours without a break. When employees of all other govt departments enjoy holidays with their families on weekends and during festivals, police personnel have to be on duty. In fact, on holidays on account of festivals, instead of spending time with their families to celebrate festivals, police personnel have to be out on the streets discharging their duties round the clock without any respite. They hardly get enough time to spend with their families. The nature of their duties is extremely exacting and rigorous having to deal with criminal elements most of the time. Often, while discharging their duties, they face risk to their lives and, sometimes, even have to sacrifice their precious lives. Their working and living conditions are often quite deplorable. Yet they discharge their onerous duties without ever complaining. It is true that a few corrupt elements bring bad name to the entire police force. A policeman who takes bribe wearing full uniform is easily noticed by the public and it spoils the whole image of the police force. Good work done by the police in terms of the cases solved, the accused persons arrested and charge-sheeted after painstaking investigation, crimes and even terrorist attacks pre-empted by collecting actionable intelligence in time are hardly ever appreciated. A few instances of police failure are often blown out of proportion in the media. In fact, the police forces with the help of central police armed forces have been contributing a great deal towards holding the country together and even towards the march of the nation on the path of progress and prosperity given the fact that peace and progress go hand in hand. Developmental activities can take place and the nation can progress only when there is peace in society and it is the state police forces with the help of central police armed forces who create peaceful environment in the society.
In spite of having to work for long hours stretching way beyond normal working hours, often, without holidays and in spite of strenuous duties and difficult working and living conditions and in spite of risks inherent in the very nature of their job, the policemen discharge their duties with sincerity except for occasional aberrations. One can narrate several instances of excellent job done by the police personnel. One such instance that readily comes to mind is the manner in which the Shillong police with the help of CRPF were able to contain large-scale violence that rocked parts of Shillong recently. Even though large number of policemen were injured in stone-pelting, some of them seriously, they showed utmost restraint in the face of grave provocation and were able to bring back normalcy without opening fire.
Yours etc.,
Prem Singh (IPS Retd),
Via email
Please lift ban on internet service
Editor,
The recent incident which led to communal tension and unrest in Shillong has disrupted the lives of common people. The worst sufferers are the local vendors, daily wage earners etc. The students of NEHU, particularly those appearing in post-graduate semester examinations starting from June 11 are hit hard due to the ban on internet services, clamped to stop the misuse of social media. Besides the students of NEHU, the candidates who have applied for bank jobs are also affected. They are unable to receive first hand information of their online preliminary exams study materials. The absence of internet and the prolonged curfew are rendering them handicapped taking away their sole source of information. Being a student myself, I would like to request the concerned authorities to lift this ban on internet service taking into account the future of thousands of innocent students.
Yours etc.,
A NEHU student
(Name withheld on request)