Editor,
The much-touted IBDLP program was the brainchild of the former CM Dr Mukul Sangma along with his small team who provoked the idea of integrating village communities, livelihoods and environment – a perfect blend of modern and natural adaptations. However, his exit transformed the IBDLP currently known as Meghalaya Basin Development Authority or MBDA into a non-governmental organization with government support as a professional institution. Of late this organization began deviating from its core foundation and more towards money-making with less than 50 percent visibility of any realistic socio-economic transformation. Under MBDA there are various wings and sections each with their own work profile and funding components. The organization has become a hub for consultants from outside the state and some even from within with no experience at all, which puts a big question mark on the efficiency, transparency, productivity and reliability of their interventions. MBDA as of today has become a place for corruption and lack of direction. Their funding partners include JICA, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other agencies. Perhaps it is time to have a public audit of all its work and the impact of the projects they have undertaken in these past years.
Yours etc,
Chesterfield Khongwar
Shillong – 2
Needed more empathetic policing
Editor,
Through this letter I would like to draw the attention of the readers of this esteemed newspaper regarding many incidents taking place in Jaiaw and its neighbouring localities. As a youth leader born and brought up here, I take it as my sole responsibility to pen down my views over the deteriorating image of Jaiaw today. It is being considered as a no safe-zone for government vehicles, non-tribals and tourists who’re visiting here for various purposes. It really pains me to watch this locality which once used to harbour great leaders, intellectuals and distinguished figures like late Bah Neil Nongkynrih, Bah Micheal Syiem, Late Bah Hoover Hynniewta among others. It was a locality known for its cleanliness, high literacy rate and peaceful residential areas but now it is being viewed as an area that is unsafe for citizens from within the state and outside to visit. Solving this issue requires a collective effort from every section of the society such as the Dorbar Shnong, Seng Samla, Seng Kynthei, Seng Longkmie, faith-based organizations, the youth and pressure groups if we really want a permanent solution to this ongoing scenario that we are unfortunately witnessing these days and which is being highlighted in various electronic and print media.
There are many factors which have led to all of this. Personally, I believe the crux which pushes our youth towards attacking outsiders is unemployment and the insecurity they feel when they see outsiders because they view them as a threat to their existence and the sole reason for not getting any job. When compared to others we Khasi tribals are just a microscopic indigenous tribe and the slowest growing in terms of population. This is the driving factor for youths who cannot express their concerns but resort to violence to act as the defender (Protector) of this small community. Also, Jaiaw is one of the areas where there is not a single vocational training institute, community multi-purpose sports ground or career counselling centres facilitated by the government. The larger conundrum is that those bestowed with the responsibility are not taking any initiative towards catering to the needs of the youth. If we cannot provide our youth with such basic requirements and foundation then how do we expect them to have that confidence to go around and merge with modern societies and chase the dream of a better life and to also one day contribute towards the society and the State as a whole? Youth unemployment has been an ongoing issue in our society. The term ‘unemployment’ refers to the number of people who are available and looking for work but who are unable to find jobs because they are deprived of the basic training and skills to qualify for the job. An unemployed person is scientifically proven to be very vulnerable to committing crimes and open to doing socially unacceptable work just to get money and make ends meet.
In every society where there is rampant unemployment , there will be a proliferation of unlawful activities. Joblessness and hopelessness are the main ingredients that push the youth to commit crimes. This can lead to a more chaotic situation in the near future. I do not question the authority and intelligence of the state police but their wisdom in approaching this matter is highly questionable and only those at the receiving end will understand the pitch of that action. If a person or group feels they are being unjustly treated and with that the growing unemployment then I fear that another kind of violence which we have witnessed and left decades ago might resurface.
Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma admitted to The Shillong Times news outlet (Instagram) dated 15 April 2022 that joblessness fuels militancy. I appreciate the effort put in by the Police Department to curb these unlawful activities of assaults, torching of government vehicles by anti-national elements. Indeed it’s very important to apprehend those involved but turning a blind eye on other crimes such as drug peddling, burglary and drug abuse among adolescents which should also be viewed as imminent threats to the safety and security of our society that is rapidly rising, is also critical. Surveillance and tracking of specific individuals or groups on suspicion that they are involved in certain crimes while adopting contrary means against individuals suspected to be involved in burglary, drugs peddling etc is not a wise approach. Using coercive approaches against certain individuals or groups while applying friendly policing on other illegal activities will automatically be viewed as an apartheid policy that can have undesirable consequences in the long run.
Amidst all of this, the Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Pyllun under the chairmanship of a competent former police officer who’s spearheading this with experience, maturity and unbiased approach along with other civil society groups are the reason where we can hope for a better days ahead and a permanent solution because only those who live in there will understand how to deal with internal problems of the locality. External intervention can sometimes be mistaken for aggression that will only add fuel to the fire. Everyone has to play their role in bringing peace and tranquility again to our locality by putting aside all differences but working towards one common goal. Nothing is impossible if we can sit together across the table with the willingness to find a permanent solution and mechanisms to put a halt to all unruly behaviour.
As the President of the Jaiaw Ehrngiew Transport Society (JETS) we had also held a meeting on the May 7, 2022 and decided that we shall extends our support and cooperation to the Dorbar Shnong Jaiaw Pyllun in its efforts to address the pressing issues that our community is going through.
Yours etc.,
Pynskhemlang W Uriah,
President,
Jaiaw Ehrngiew Transport Society
Disgraceful cracks in ISBT
Editor,
If the newly inaugurated ISBT at Mawiong is really leaking, then it is a case of serious concern for the state, “Blacklist contractors if found guilty after probe” (ST May 18, 2022). There must be something fishy cooking in the pot of the contract. But that’s nothing strange because most contractors in Meghalaya use sub-standard materials while constructing buildings, structures, bridges and roads. Often the roads are repaired without deeply hacking and scrubbing them. This is totally wrong. Many roads repaired in Meghalaya do not last longer than a week. Is this not criminal?
Such devious styles of working have taken a toll on the state for decades. The fact that only certain unscrupulous contractors are awarded the work orders itself is very questionable. The former Chief Minister has also raised his voice against these glaring irregularities. One hopes the Administration will show zero tolerance for corruption and plug all holes and cracks for good. We need to learn from past mistakes and not let a few crackpots squeeze the state’s resources dry.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong