By Aiborlang Nongsiej
It is very unfortunate to read the reports in the newspapers or to watch the news in different YouTube channels about how people are missing and then found dead in Shillong. Just a few days ago, two people (Richard Sing Kharmuti of Mawdiangdiang village and Shanbor Surong of Jaiaw Pdeng) were reported missing and then later their dead bodies were discovered. Why do such incidents happen regularly in the city of Shillong? What are the causes for such incidents? Who is responsible to protect and secure the city? Why has Shillong city become so unsafe?
Many Shillongites are asking the above questions and are afraid to walk alone especially after it gets dark. Perhaps, the increase in the number of drug addicts is one of the probable causes of such incidents in the city. In fact, not only are people missing and killed but thefts are also increasing in the city by the day. Many thieves are caught on CCTV cameras while trespassing into people’s houses. Shockingly, most of those thieves happen to be drug addicts. Therefore, if this situation continues in the city of Shillong, it will be very dangerous even for school children in the near future. Hence, it is high time for the District Administration and the village authorities to prevent and to do the needful for the betterment of society.
As an educator and being in charge of one of the evening schools in the city, I am very much concerned for students attending evening classes as they leave the school when it is already dark. Most of our evening school students come from different family backgrounds. Many go to work during the day and come to attend classes in the evening. In short, the majority are from poor backgrounds. If the city continues to face such problems, where do these poor children go for education, when the evening is no longer safe? The police and the district administration must do their duties in order to ensure safety in the city. It is very sad to say that many people are losing hope in the Meghalaya Police. Often we hear people complaining of delayed action taken by police to register an FIR because the victims are from poor families. For instance, the family of late Ricahrd Sing Kharmuti, who was found dead recently in the city, are not going to pursue his case. Perhaps, it may be due to lack of financial resources to go ahead with the case. But is it not the duty of the police to trace out the culprit? Why should the police close the case if the family cannot afford to pursue the case? Killing is a crime and it is unacceptable in any society. Thus, to prevent and to ensure safety for the future generation, the Police Department must be seen to be doing its duty.
Drugs have become the major problem in the city. Many people are falling into the trap of this substance. Perhaps, this is one of the major causes of crime in the city. While the police are regularly tracking the drug dealers and arresting them while transporting those items, we really don’t know the fate of such persons beyond the headlines. What punishment is meted out to drug carriers? Where are those drugs seized by the police during transportation? If the police department is serious in fighting drugs, then why is it that every other day we see reports of people involved in drug transportation? What sort of law is applied to deal with drug suppliers and drug addicts? Perhaps the law is very lenient that with drug suppliers hence they keep increasing by the day. Or is there any high level who has a role in drug trafficking? A friend of mine says, “I know of a few individuals who are involved in this crime, but they always escape even after being arrested, because they are under the umbrella of the high level.” A taxi driver in the city told me that drug addicts openly take drugs at Them Iew Mawlong after 8 PM. In fact, in the last few weeks there was a report that drug addicts openly take drugs in the dumping pit at Motphran. The taxi driver added that several times the drug suppliers make use of the dustbins in the ATM rooms to reach the material to the customers. It is very unfortunate to hear this statement from several individuals. What will be the future of our children and the society, if the law is so soft on people involved in drug trafficking?
Perhaps, to ensure safety in the city is also the duty of each citizen to remain alert and report this crime. Families may be one of the best resources to tackle crime in the city. The famous English statement runs ‘Charity begins at home’. Parents and family members play a vital role in fighting against drug in the state and in the city. Teaching children at home of the danger of drugs will be more effective than attending several programs or seminars. Looking at the new generation we can see that they can easily be lured to drugs. Smoking and consuming tobacco products is very common even at a very early age. On several occasions even in schools parents are called to settle problems of smoking and consuming tobacco products by students. If such instances happen even inside the school campuses, it will be very easy for young people to fall into the trap of drugs. Hence to fight against drugs is a collaborative responsibility. Parents, teachers, school management, police, village authorities and every section of society must collaboratively work together to tackle the drug menace and to ensure safety in the city. Let us make Shillong great again and ensure safety to every citizen.
(The writer is Vice Principal, St. Anthony’s Hr. Sec School, Shillong)