The article “Politics of deception” by Banshan Ferdy Lyngdoh (ST Dec 18, 2020) is a courageous piece that calls a spade a spade and not a shovel. He has touched at the core of what the ILP demand is all about. It has become commonplace now for all wannabe politicians to take up issues or make demands that are regressive and unsustainable. The Khasi Students’ Union unilaterally decided for all of us that Meghalaya should not have railways because of the same old argument – influx which might lead to the marginalisation of the tribals here. Now the KSU have teamed up with other groups to demand the ILP, knowing very well that it will not come through.
But while the high jinks of these pressure groups is predictable what the people of Meghalaya need to consider at this point is that they have no leader who can stand up to these groups. All sixty MLAs have capitulated and passed that Resolution in December last year demanding the ILP – a colonial instrument that had sought to keep the tribes within their sanctuaries and with no governance extended beyond the Inner Line Permit. The British can be trusted to do what is good for the empire and governing an unruly people that unleashed terror in areas beyond their jurisdiction was something the British felt was not worth it. Hence the Inner Line Permit!
To try and use this medieval law in the 21st century shows a mind that’s clogged with clichés and is incapable of novel ideas. In fact this is a state where there’s no thinking at all. Not among politicians and not among the public either. Intellectuals are busy pursuing their interests too. Now even NEHU teachers and students want a tribal Vice Chancellor. Can’t the stakeholders of NEHU demand the best person to lead the University? Would anyone go only to a tribal doctor even if he/she is half baked? I can’t see a dynamic tribal VC who will replace the present one. If all of us spend half our lives insulating ourselves from others then how do we become citizens of the world? What do we teach our children? To not venture beyond home lest they are eaten up by the more advanced non-tribes? This insulation is not good for our upcoming generation because their minds will be stunted and their vision only as far as the end of the tunnel.
Yours etc.,
Basil Nongkhlaw,
Via email
Whither MCS results
Editor,
The Meghalaya Civil Services (Mains) Examination or the Written Exam for the 38 sanctioned posts of Junior Grade MCS officers was held in the month of January 2020. It is to be noted that 12 (twelve) months have already passed since then. Undeniably, there was a nation-wide lockdown implemented in March of this year and the said lockdown lasted for quite some time. It can also not be denied that the COVID 19 situation had created immense chaos in the functioning of the government and its various institutions. That having been said, however, it must also be pointed out in the public forum that as the subsequent months progressed, relaxations after relaxations were promulgated by the State Government thereby allowing for normalcy in public institutional functioning to return. Since the past 3 to 4 months, MPSC has started to function properly once again. Therefore, no right thinking citizen would believe that the evaluation of the MCS Mains Examination answer scripts has not been completed as of yet. Additionally, any excuse that there was no Chairperson to sign off on the permission for declaration of the results also does not hold water because a full-fledged Chairperson has already been appointed more than a month ago. No action has been taken by him till date on this very important issue. MPSC is silent and refuses to clarify to the public at large. The State Government needs no reminding of the tremendous importance of the MCS officers who are essential in ensuring the efficiency of grassroots governance as well as the efficient delivery of public services to the masses. If there is no hindrance caused by any legal or judicial issue, I see no reason why MPSC should keep on delaying the declaration of MCS Mains results. Further delay only raises serious suspicion in the minds of the general public. I sincerely appeal to MPSC to declare the MCS Mains results before the Christmas vacation, and to wind up the Personal Interview by January end of 2021.
Yours etc.,
Jeremiah S
Via email
Hope justice is given soon
Editor,
It is noteworthy that the four accused in the alleged gang-rape and torture of a 20-year-young Dalit girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras in September, were charged by the CBI of gang-rape and murder on Friday, over three months after the incident that triggered outrage across the country. The CBI has also invoked charges against the accused under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The probe agency filed its charge sheet before a court in Hathras, some 200 km from Delhi. After the heinous incident had taken place, the victim’s cremation was allegedly done without the family’s approval and her family was harassed and threatened through different ways by the Uttar Pradesh police and the accused were supported by some leaders of the ruling party. What was worse is that the main accused had written to the Uttar Pradesh police from jail, claiming that he and the three other accused are being framed in the case and sought “justice” for the four men. He had also accused the woman’s mother and brother of torturing her, while the woman’s family had denied these allegations. I condemn all the injustice and baseless statements and support that was given that time by some political leaders and organizations as well. I also condemn the main accused’s false allegations against the victim’s family. Hope justice will prevail soon!
Yours etc.,
B Ahsanullah,
Delhi