Editor,
Apropos to the news item titled, ‘City resident dies in hit-and-run case; biker unidentified.’ ST Sep 22, 2022) it is shocking that a senior citizen, Biman Talukdar while trying to cross the road near Civil Hospital crossing was knocked down by a speeding biker so badly that he couldn’t survive the blow. A bubbly and full of life senior citizen, Biman (Moloy) Talukdar, definitely had no premonition that his life would be cut short so rudely and abruptly. I am sure the culprit hasn’t been apprehended as yet, and have grave doubts whether he will ever be traced out. There’s either no CCTV or the CCTV is not working in such a busy junction where thousands of vehicles and two wheelers pass throughout the day and night. It is all the more surprising that such an accident could take place as early as 7 o’clock at night when this road is choc-a-bloc with vehicles, and a number of traffic policemen are normally deployed to control traffic there.
I vent my frustration and anger through this letter on the utterly chaotic traffic scenario in Shillong city. How many more Bimans are we going to lose before the law enforcers of our city wake up to the road rage let loose by arrogant, speeding bikers / two wheeler riders? Scores of these bikers/two wheeler riders care a fig about traffic rules; they criss-cross the roads at high speed and have become a menace not only for pedestrians, but also for other motorists. They have, in fact, become a nuisance on the Shillong roads.
Statutory authorities have time and again asked the traffic rules enforcement wings of states to apprehend and book underaged, unlicenced riders / drivers, rash drivers, uninsured vehicles/two wheelers, but such action is apparently not being undertaken in Shillong. A crack down on errant riders / drivers is overdue, and I urge the concerned authorities to please take immediate and stringent action to restore sanity on our roads. Being a resident of Laitumkhrah, I have a few suggestions pertaining to traffic control in this part of the city.
The Laitumkhrah Police Point circle has become frightening for drivers and pedestrians alike. Responsible and strict traffic policing is needed here to avert mishaps. At least three traffic policemen should be deployed at vantage points round the clock to control traffic here. Traffic moving from Police Point towards Jacob’s Ladder through Don Bosco Square is sometimes asked to take the straight right and sometimes to go around the back of the statue which is rather chaotic. This should be avoided and the Traffic Police may please decide on one point from where the right turn is to be taken.
Similarly, traffic coming from Dhankheti towards Don Bosco and Police Point is sometimes allowed to go straight ahead and sometimes made to go around the statue. This results in a chaotic jam as three lines of vehicles, one straight from Dhankheti side, the second caused by diversion around the statue, and the third from Shillong College/Upland Road converge on one point and jostle to proceed towards Police Point on one lane. Diversion of traffic from Dhankheti around the statue may be stopped to ease this chaos.
At Dhankheti junction, vehicles proceeding from Malki towards Don Bosco and vehicles coming down from Loreto towards Jowai Road are allowed to move simultaneously which is dangerous and may lead to accidents / pile-ups or multiple vehicle collisions. This should be stopped to immediately to avert mishaps.
I request Shillong Traffic Police to kindly pay due attention to this letter and take remedial measures immediately.
Yours etc.,
Mohitosh Chakravarty ,
Shillong-3
NEHU Saga
Editor,
Apropos the news item “KSU Locks Office of NEHU VC” dated 23/9/2022, ST, I would like to acknowledge and applaud the KSU for raising very impactful and grave issues concerning NEHU off late.
The clinic has been bereft of medicines since time immemorial; the examination department takes months to issues certificates; hostels are in dilapidated conditions and most importantly, the arrogant Vice Chancellor being forever out of office in pursuit of “academia”. This happens when a person affiliated to an organization and who is a puppet in the hands of people with hidden agenda are appointed to head an educational institution. To those unaware, they can check out the videos circulating on various social media platforms to see for themselves the level and standard the VC has reduced himself to and how he has made a mockery of such a dignified post.
The man at the helm cannot utter a complete sentence in English let alone serve the interests of the students. Perhaps the white “Verna” vehicle and the pride associated with the chair has instead curtailed his responsibilities to his job and duty to serve the educational pursuits of the North Eastern region and the tribals in particular. This brings to light the larger question of Meghalaya bearing the brunt of incapable and inept persons being appointed head of institutions which you won’t find anywhere else in India. NEHU seriously needs a rejig and overall change at least from the current dispensation. If the VC has an iota of shame left, he should voluntarily resign and leave his position to someone more capable and someone not interested in material wants but educational emancipation.
Yours etc.,
Albert Sunn,
Via email
Money oriented or people – oriented Govt?
Editor,
As a citizen of our beloved state of Meghalaya and as a resident of our beautiful city of Shillong, I feel greatly concerned about the development of events recently. Shillong is already witnessing a series of ills affecting its citizens especially the youth. Our city of late has become a drug trafficking centre. More and more of our tribal youth are getting caught in this web of tragedy. Shillong today is one of the most drug-affected cities in the region. Drug addiction has become the nightmare of society and the anguish of many a family. Recently, the Government has added woes to misery by licensing so many wine stores. The stretch of road from Polo junction to Nongmynsong is dotted with wine stores who proudly display their commodities. Every evening one witnesses endless customers in these shops. And now as if not contented with this present worrying situation, the government has gone ahead to give license to gambling. Lately some casinos have been opened in the city. Today our young people are trapped between these three evils – drugs, alcohol and gambling. What will happen to families? Even with alcoholism we have seen so much misery brought to families in our state, what will happen next with these added evils to society?
It looks like the present government is determined to turn Meghalaya into another Sodom and Gomorrah. Are there no more politicians with a conscience? Is this a people-oriented or a money-oriented government? As of today, there is not the slightest doubt in the minds of people that monetary profit is the priority of this government. Is it because the election is at the threshold that the ruling party is hell bent on amassing money?
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie, sdb
Via email