Editor,
On Saturday the election of headmen of Laitumkhrah, conducted by the election committee constituted by the Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem happened on Saturday, September 24. Before the election, prior announcement was made with instructions that shops and business establishments are to close on the day of the election. It is learnt that no order was issued by the district administration to permit closure of shops. On Friday Sept 23, some boys who introduced themselves as seng samla entered most of the shops around Laitumkhrah and threatened shop-owners that they are to close their shops during the election of Rangbah Shnong between 9 am to 12 noon. Interestingly whenever the dorbar shnong was convened in earlier years no such call for bandh or closure of shops was ever issued by previous dorbars.
The intimidating steps taken by some elements took everyone by surprise and most shopkeepers are wary of the situation and citizens who usually proceed for morning marketing caught completely unaware even as their civil liberties were curtailed. And since the standing order of the Meghalaya High Court prohibits any call for bandhs, closure of medical shops and other business establishments, the failure of the district administration to tackle such incidents has prompted those with vested interests to issue diktats at their whims in the name of the dorbar shnong. Therefore it is time that all dorbar shnongs be brought under uniform rules of functioning throughout as failure to bring them into the ambit of the law will create further situations in which normal life of citizens will get affected and most of which will go unreported.
Yours etc.,
Wankitbok Pohshna,
Via email
License to kill
Editor,
Apropos of the letter, ’Road Rage Kills’ by Mohitosh Chakravarty (ST September 24, 2022) where he pointed out to the danger of speeding vehicles, especially of two wheelers. However, I feel it is pertinent to raise a few questions here. Firstly, who has given these rough bike riders the license to kill people in the streets of Shillong?. These bike riders show unnecessary stunts, kill people and run away with utmost inhumanity and sadism as the shocking incident that happened to one of the senior citizens of Shillong, Biman Talukdar right in front of the traffic signal near civil Hospital reveals. Talukdar lost his life due to a high speed bike that hit him with great force. Everybody is aware that the roads in Shillong are not for high speed bike riding as they are choked with traffic. These unruly bikers not only frighten the pedestrians amidst heavy traffic but also the drivers of the four wheelers remain scared. It is because they overtake mostly from the wrong side and often take abrupt right turns in front of moving cars without any indication, thereby jeopardizing the safety of car drivers. Should the car even give a gentle push inadvertently the biker would fall down and may even be crushed. Such rough bikers should be stopped at any cost. It is thus suggested that either the speed of the two wheelers be controlled mechanically by a governor to only 40 kmph either by the manufacturers or it might be made a strict rule so that the bike mechanics in Shillong can do the needful.
Secondly, on seeing such rough riders the traffic police should immediately stop the speeding bike and if the biker speeds away then inform the next traffic signal over walkie-talkie and take the bike rider into custody and enforce strict penalty on him r so that he does not dare to exhibit such foolish stunts again in his life.
Yours etc.,
B Dhar
Shillong
Irregularities/Illegalities in Govt appointments
Editor,
As per a news item under the heading ” HC tells government to ensure fairness in selection process ” ( ST, September 24,2022) it is encouraging to note that people are approaching the courts to get justice in cases of favouritism and nepotism in government appointments. All along we knew about the unfairness in government appointments but our young people prefer to merely complain among themselves instead of taking any bold steps to obtain justice.
It is also encouraging to note that some RTI activists have also unearthed several illegalities/ irregularities in appointments in several government departments and Directorates. However, it appears that what has been unearthed so far is incomplete, to say the least. If these RTI activists make some more effort they will definitely be able to bring to light more illegalities in government appointments in newly created Directorates like the Directorate of Food Processing and especially the Directorate of Dairy Development, Mawiong where relatives and friends of higher ups have been appointed with full pay or on contractual basis without any advertisements as legally required.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Of killer bikes
Editor
A senior citizen lost his life in a tragic road accident on September 20. He was hit by a speeding motorcycle while crossing the road at Civil Hospital point. This kind of accident at this point is not new. Is there any possibility of reducing the chances of such accidents from recurring? Most of the time the roads in Shillong are jammed with excessive traffic. Whenever the roads are free there is a tendency especially among some bikers to overspeed. As overbridges or subways for crossing the roads are out of question, at least having speed breakers on the roads (with white marks) at vulnerable points may help to reduce the danger of road crossing to a certain extent.
If feasible the concerned authorities may consider this suggestion.
Yours etc.
J Bhattacharjee
Shillong -4
On criminalising environment polluters
Editor,
The recent meeting called by the EKH District Commissioner Isawanda Laloo with various environment-conscious NGOs, particularly – OCU, My Shillong, My Pride and Rangbah Shnong of various localities, was a great move forward, “(EKH DC meets Rangbah Shnong, OCU to accelerate river cleaning effort” ST, 14th Sept).
What OCU’s members have done in the past three years has inspired many other groups of people, including several NGOs. It has also become the talk of the town. All schools should encourage their students to actively participate in the river cleaning drive at least once a month. This is the best way to instill environmental awareness in young minds. As suggested by Rangbah Dong of Nongmensong D Kurbah, installing CCTV cameras at strategic points is a must. No person has the right to “throw garbage” into the rivers and drains. Such nasty acts must be “criminalised” forthwith with heavy fines and imprisonment. This fact must be advertised through digital and print media. Rejuvenating the streams and rivers alone ensures the healthy environment of the town.
Yes, the government should also consider announcing rewards for those who can secretly take photographs of offenders while they dump garbage in the rivers/drains. Better still if those photos are pasted on the notice boards of offices of District Commissioners, Municipality, Pollution Control Board, and Offices of Superintendent of Police and other Police Beat Houses. “Public shaming” is the most powerful deterrent, and we can get quick results. People should not remain idle when the heat of climate change stares right in the face of civilisation. Anyone contributing to hurting the environment should be dealt with a firm hand. Let’s scream in chorus against the environment polluters.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
(Member, International Human Rights Commission)
Shillong