Editor,
The rally against unemployment called by the FKJGP turned violent, where innocent civilians and passers-by were attacked and vehicles were damaged. Why did it turn violent? What led the so-called “peaceful protest” or “silent protest” to turn violent? As concerned citizens of the state, we are enraged beyond words. Footage and video clips of sporadic cases of attacks on innocent civilians have been flooding social media platforms, and we are not pleased.
Why did the organisation call for a rally? They made reference to “unemployment.” We wonder if they actually meant it. Do they even know the definition of “unemployment”? From the crowd, there’s hardly 5% of them who are genuinely unemployed. Others are busy running small businesses or working in other small organisations or businesses. Just because they don’t have a government job, they consider themselves “UNEMPLOYED.
If the rally was about “unemployment,” why were the women and lady participants outnumbered by men? Does this mean that the majority of women and ladies are employed? We refuse to believe so. If there were hundreds of men and few women, it indicates that assaulting bystanders or other forms of violence was already planned. If the organisation is so concerned about “unemployment,” why does it act like a fence when companies propose to set up businesses in the city? Their actions spoke volumes about those people being unemployed. Such people would never be hired by Tom, Dick, or Harry.
On another note, why were so few police personnel on duty? In Malki, Dhankheti, and GS Road, very few police personnel were seen. In another case, there were personnel present, but they were mere spectators and did nothing. This is a disgrace to the police department. We have lost hope on them. During the protests of the contractual teachers, SOT were seen but not today. .
The District Administrator, henceforth, should be very strict when allowing NGOs or pressure groups to go on a protest. Our respected DC should only give permission to the ones seeking permission if they give them a list of all rallyists. The DC should have the names of all the participants.The District administration should also get into action and try to trace and summon the leaders of the FKJGP. They are to be questioned about whatever happened today.
Everyone is scared and scared of whom? Scared of these barbaric people. They are such an embarrassment.
Yours etc.,
Emidao Shylla
Operation Executive
1917iTEAMS,
Via email
Sham of a rally!
Editor
I write to strongly condemn the senseless acts of violence by members of the FKJGP during their Rally to protest unemployment. What the rally clearly reveals is precisely why some of our youth will remain unemployed, because who in their right mind and senses would hire volatile, irate individuals who are more likened to loose cannons, ready to erupt without any rhyme or reason or provocation. The “Seng” should take complete responsibility for what has unfolded as their reputation and credibility is at stake. The incident that occurred on the October 28, 2022, reflects badly on the overall youth of Ka Bri Hynniew trep Hynniew skum. The chanting of “Ha Ri Lajong Katba Mon” is so misused and has taken on a militant meaning it seems. The icing on the cake is alas that the Rally began with a prayer because that is what us good Christians do. What a mockery, what a sham! My head hangs in shame.
Yours etc.,
B.T Lyngdoh
Shillong-14
Hear us out MBMA!
Editor,
It is a well- known fact that in today’s age of technology, almost all government offices, societies, companies, etc use the internet to communicate important messages with other branches or departments or to publish advertisements or notifications for the public viewership.One recent example of this is the advertisement made public by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) on its website inviting applications for the position of Programme Associate (Administration) vide Advertisement No. MBMA/CLLMP/280/2020/583, is dated October 13, 2022. According to this, there was to be a “Walk-in-interview” on October 25, 2022 and its offline registration is to be from 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM on the same day at the address mentioned in the advertisement.
The number of vacancies available was 2 but not less than 100 candidates came, some of whom took leave of absence from their work and some even came all the way from Nongpoh (working people too) just to submit a few papers like their resume, identity documents, etc.. However, what was frustrating was that there was never an “official notification” by the management as to when the list of names that were shortlisted for the interview would be announced. Apart from asking the staff who were present nearby, who initially said that the list would come out at 1:00 PM, this 1:00 PM was corrected to be 1:30 PM which later on became 2:00 PM and so on. This made the already anxious applicants more anxious than ever and all of this could have been prevented.
Finally, the list of names came out at 2:15 PM and only 24 applicants were shortlisted for the interview. The rest were sent off feeling discouraged, extremely hungry, tired and most importantly, they felt that their time was wasted because they all had waited for several hours (6 hours at the LEAST) for a list that didn’t have their names on it.
All of this could have been prevented by simply making the whole procedure online viz submission of applications and publishing the shortlisted names through their website. This could have helped working people attend to their duties on time, applicants coming from far areas could have saved their time and money on transportation and a plethora of other benefits!
In conclusion, online submission of applications should be encouraged amongst societies, companies, etc. to avoid such inconveniences caused to the applicants. This will greatly benefit future applicants and will make the process of submission of application a little less hectic too!
Yours etc.,
Damebiang Lyngdoh,
Via email
Broad daylight hooliganism
Editor,
The protest procession by FKJGP with support from other organizations on October 28 against unemployment led to the assault and abuse of innocent passers-by by the protesting hooligans. This is condemnable. First of all, who are these organizations to beat up people on the road? The permission to allow this protest march by the DC of EKH is ill-timed, unprofessional and should not have been given. The DC should be immediately suspended and transferred for permitting the protest march to happen on a busy weekday and at a time when the traffic is at its peak with all the offices, markets and educational institutions running. Will the DC take responsibility for the assault perpetrated by the FKJGP? The police were also mute spectators to the assault. Hence the City and the District SP should be taken to task for failure to protect the innocents from the hooligans. Unemployment in this state is chronic because almost all educated people are unwilling to venture out of the state for employment as they feel safe and secure in their own state. People from almost all other states seek employment outside as the states are unable to provide jobs. Assaulting people to vent your anger and frustration will not lessen the unemployment scenario here.
Yours etc.,
Dr HS Ranhotra,
Shillong