Editor,
The horrific incident that took place at Umoid Village, South West Khasi Hills is shameful and disquieting. Our state has been and still is making a lot of noise over the need to curb the entrance of non-tribal labourers into our state. Proper documents must be procured by contractors who need to rope in labourers from outside the state. Sadly, what happened at St. Xavier’s Campus was nothing but a show of might by ill- informed uneducated goons. When these labourers have with them permissions to work why were they still brutally attacked at the dead of the night? The miscreants were armed which means that they came with intentions to cause harm and rob lives. Subjected to this violence the workers were injured and bruised and unfortunately, the 20 year old labourer succumbed to his injuries. Sadly what is left of him for his family members to embrace is a cold lifeless body of their son. 15-20 armed men is not a small number. Though three have been detained, will the miscreants be brought to book and be punished? They should but when, how and where are questions that will linger. The fact remains that this sad, despicable act has happened in our state amidst times when what is more required is sensitivity, information and knowledge. This is yet another stumbling block on the way to progress for the all work in Umoid will be put on hold. Alas! For the lack of sense of a few, the majority stand to lose!
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Biden’s China policy
Editor,
US President Joe Biden spelt out the priorities for foreign policy recently. The USA wants to return to active global engagement, work closely with allies, promote multilateralism and uphold democratic values and human rights. Biden acknowledged China as a strong competitor and Russia as a threat. With regard to specific issues, Biden announced an end to US support to Saudi Arabia in the civil war in Yemen and revive the Iran nuclear deal. Considering that Biden has appointed a key adviser, Kurt Campbell for the Indo-Pacific, it evident that the region is of enormous importance to the US. Further, the third ministerial meeting of Quad was convened at the request of Secretary of State.
Biden elaborated on his foreign policy at the Munich Security Conference. He announced his intention to revive transatlantic alliances. It is reasonable to assume that the US-Europe alliance, particularly NATO will occupy a central place in Biden’s foreign policy. However, it remains to be seen whether the Europeanswill respond. Key European countries have interests different from that of the US on the issues of competition with China and the threat from Russia.
Biden’s speech is reflective of his China policy. According to him, one must prepare for long-term strategic competition with China. However, he sees Chinese threat more in economic than in security terms. Obviously, Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy is directed towards China.
China has released statements in reaction to the US foreign policy. The Chinese Foreign minister has called for a reset in US-China relations and a withdrawal of all the tariffs and trade measures imposed on China by Trump. With regard to Quad, Chinese media attempted to trivialize the latest meeting. According to China, there is no prospect of Quad emerging as a an “ Asian NATO”. With regard to India’s intention to join Quad, Global Times editorial claims that it is not in India’s interest to completely tie itself to the US. China has accused India of having gone over to the dark (American) side. It expects India to continue its policy of non-alignment. It can be assumed that Biden’s foreign policy and India’s intention to work closely with the US have prompted China to take a hasty decision to withdraw its troops from India-_China border and to change track.
Yours etc.,
VENU GS
Kollam – 78
FDI from China?
Editor,
It is reported in several newspapers and in the electronic media that the Union Government is looking at easing restrictions for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China by allowing companies from the bordering country to invest up to 25% in Companies in India through the automatic route. It also means that Chinese FDI can further increase if approved. This is in addition to the news that VIVO would be the sponsor for the next edition of IPL for Cricket.
In the recent past, India had extremely serious threat to its internal security, best certified by the events in Galwan Valley and other places. India lost many brave soldiers because of aggression by China. Though the military de-escalation process has started, it is in the preliminary stages, and most experts have warned that it would be unwise to believe that China would go back to the original positions it occupied prior to the recent conflicts. Because of certain constraints as also weaknesses, China has taken advantages in many sectors including in Arunachal Pradesh, Akshai Chin, Ladakh, and Sikkim to name a few. China definitely has been a much bigger threat to India compared to Pakistan. And, it continues to be.
Further, in business and commerce, the trade surplus is hugely in favour of China, and China’s export to India, at present, is at least 3 times more than Indian exports to China. Many industries and businesses in India are almost in control of Chinese companies. The mobile phone industry, for example, is dominated by Chinese Companies, and these have almost killed the Indian mobile handset makers.
And in this context, the move to favour Chinese FDI in India is extremely puzzling. The people of India must be made aware of the deal struck with China as also the steps to open its heart to Chinese FDI, which may harm Indian interests- trade, defence and internal security to name a few.
Yours etc.,
D Bhutia,
Guwahati – 24
LDA recruitment by DSC
Editor,
As a follow up to the above subject in the letters to the editor (ST Feb 24, 2021), I would reiterate that there is something fishy in the recruitment of the LD assistants conducted by the District Selection Committee (DSC), East Khasi Hills. The system is that those who cleared the written test should sit for the typing speed test. This is understandable and logical but the manner in which the scores of the candidates during the typing tests are monitored by them and not allowed to be entered by the candidates is a clear case of manipulation by the DSC. In other exams the scores in the typing tests are shown there and then and this makes the candidates satisfied that at least there is transparency and we know how to rate ourselves but the way DSC conducted this test made us doubt the very system.
Why at this point of time are we asked to check the marks scored in the test? Are the marks manipulated? Can we trust the system? Can we get justice? The best candidates are being discarded as always. Who is responsible for this corruption? Will the DSC answer?
Yours etc.,
E.War
Via email