Editor,
The Government seems to have totally closed its eyes to the fact of illegal mining which is still going on in the state even after the NGT ban but we the public cannot be mute spectators of this offence happening right under the eye of the law keepers. Instead, we must demand from the Govt that it put all the facts on the table so that the public will be convinced that Govt is taking all measures to contain illegal mining. As a concerned citizen I am trying to find out the facts on this matter.
The Government must understand that we the people are not machines but humans with intelligence and acumen to see what is happening before our eyes. When the Govt (and by this I mean the Chief Minister and other ministers) say there is no illegal mining it has to prove this claim with authentic evidence. Without evidence to the contrary the Govt and few ministers are lying to the people of the state on illegal mining.
I was surprised to come across some ground realities recently in Umsong village under Jirang Block of Ri-Bhoi district. After 9.00 PM, I found many coal-laden trucks plying through Umsong village without number plates (Registration No.). Only one truck had a registration number but that too was an incomplete one bearing the no Ml.10 B 588. I have no idea from where they have come and where they are bound for. All I know is that they are carrying coal and I wonder why Govt is not taking serious action on this matter. The Govt has a primary role in protecting the environment for the larger good and not be in league with the coal mafia. Indeed the present Govt seems to take no responsibility for ensuring that the NGT ban is implemented in letter and spirit and that the violators of the ban are apprehended for this gross criminal activity. It’s time for concerned citizens to dig out the truth and present those to the Govt.
Yours etc.
Batskhem Mawlein
Shillong-2
BJP reneges on coalition dharma
Editor,
Apropos the news report, “MDA to have common candidate for Shillong” (ST. Nov.19, 2018) it seems that the MDA Govt is still haunted by the issue of “common candidate” even after more than four months of UDP’s offer. From indications it seems that MDA is not going to have a common candidate because the BJP is the stumbling block. BJP which is part and parcel of MDA is hell bent on putting up their MP candidates for both 1-Shillong and 2-Tura Parliamentary constituencies saying that being the greatest National Party it should not shy away from contesting the Lok Sabha elections. This is humbug and goes against the grain of a coalition agreement. If BJP puts up candidates in both the seats, both the candidates will be roundly defeated. The ignominy will be so great that next time the BJP will not dare to contest any more elections. In that event it will only boost the winning chances of the Congress candidate instead of the common MDA candidate. The best thing for the MDA partners is to put up only one candidate and support him wholeheartedly. Time to forget all the petty squabbles.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email .
Irresponsible statements
Editor,
In his recent statement, Haryana Chief Minister, Monohar Lal Khattar tried to downplay the rising incidents of rape and eve-teasing cases in his state by saying that in 80 – 90 per cent of such cases the accused and the victim know each other. Without questioning whether this data is true or not, it must be pointed out that the proximity can never be used as a defence of the accused. Indeed, such a defence is just another example of bad logic. Many parents kill their own children at the altar of infanticide and honour killings. There are many incidents of crime in the domain of close relations as a result of property disputes. More importantly, many girls have to face sexual harassment at the hands of their close relatives.
The fact of the matter is that proximity does not act as a deterrent to crime. Rather, it enhances the scope of the predators.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata