Combating extortion through transparency
Editor,
I am writing in reference to the enlightening editorial, “Diminishing returns of extortion,” (ST October 11, 2023), which brought to light a matter of utmost importance that has long been buried under the shroud of silence – the insidious issue of extortion and the undisclosed source of funds that sustain various pressure groups in our state, Meghalaya.
For too long, this topic has been taboo, and the fear of repercussions from self-styled custodians of the “Jaitbynriew” has deterred open discourse. However, it is heartening to see that your esteemed paper has finally mustered the courage to call out the extortion that has been plaguing our State. As the editorial rightly points out, these pressure groups seem to operate with mysterious sources of funding that enable them to make donations, organize events, and exert pressure on the government. It is only natural to wonder where these funds originate, and whether they should be subjected to scrutiny under the purview of the Right to Information Act.
Moreover, the possible link between opposition to the implementation of railway lines and such extortion is a point worth pondering. The extortion issue has been festering in our state for a considerable period, particularly in Shillong. Traders and businesspersons, regardless of their tribal or non-tribal backgrounds, had no choice but to yield to these demands, often at the risk of their lives. The scenario only began to change in the year 2000, when then Home Minister (late) R G Lyngdoh filed FIRs against suspected contributors to militant organizations, which subsequently reduced extortion activities to a significant extent.
However, the problem of extortion has persisted, with various groups now claiming to work in the name of public welfare but surviving on extortion. This has led to undue harassment, particularly for businesses, from the smallest to the largest, including contracting firms. The adverse effects of extortion are not limited to businesses but have also contributed to the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, as every truck entering Meghalaya is taxed, and various sectors face this burden, from fruits, vegetables, and fish to clothes merchants.
The silence of the administration and the inaction of the police are particularly concerning. The fact that extortion has been prevalent for so long and businesses have suffered greatly due to it begs the question: Did the authorities not know about this ongoing issue? In order to combat crime effectively, timely and proactive measures are essential. As the editorial rightly points out, crime left unaddressed will fester and deteriorate society’s foundations.
Transparency in the funding sources of these pressure groups is necessary to restore faith in their actions and intentions. By bringing such transactions within the purview of the Right to Information Act, we can ensure accountability and, in turn, potentially reduce extortion. The recent acknowledgment by the police to deal with extortionists is welcome news, but it is crucial that they do so effectively, with the support and cooperation of those affected. Reporting and filing FIRs should not be a perilous task, and victims should have confidence in the ability of law enforcement to protect them.
It is high time that we confront these issues openly and transparently, as only through collective action can we hope to eliminate the menace of extortion and rebuild our state, bringing it to new heights of progress and development.
Yours etc.,
Kynrem Lyndan
Shillong-3
Clean Options for Potable Water
Editor
During the last few weeks a number of letters to the editor on supply of untreated water and serious concerns from the citizens have been published in your esteemed paper. A number of writers such as Salil Gewali, Krishna Chetri, Pinky Lodh, and others have expressed their concerns through these letters. The residents of Shillong are thankful to the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) who have revealed the fact that 44 localities within Shillong are consuming unsafe water, as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Detection of Coliform and E.coli organisms, lower pH value, high turbidity and iron content all are a severe risk for our health.
A few years back (Shillong Times dated August 2 , 2019), I had suggested a few measures which can solve these problems. I have suggested that ‘ Dissolved Air Floatation’ treatment is generally used for the primary stage removal of suspended particles in water which is distinctly different from the conventional methods of reducing turbidity since the conventional methods involve chemical coagulation to group particles into flock sand giving them time to settle down. In the Dissolved Air Floatation system tiny air bubbles are injected to the water. Particles adhere to the bubbles and float to the surface forming a layer of froth that is removed intermittently. The conventional method is not able to take advantage of the low turbidity in the water because coagulants are necessary for flocculation of suspended particles.
By adopting this Dissolved Air Floatation technology, turbidity in the raw water remains well under control, that is, under 10 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units). This will make it possible for the plant to run in what is called direct filtration mode, where water is taken directly to the filtration tank by-passing the clarifiers thereby reducing chemical and electrical consumption. This will also reduce costs. This technology would require less civil work and therefore lower the cost. This particular technology is now acceptable in many Indian cities since it also tackles the problem of algae which is common in our water. Again, I suggest that our PHE department as well as SMB should contact the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board to get the whole technology in order to provide potable drinking water for the Shillong residents.
Another water purification device developed by the scientists at the Mumbai based Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) could provide safe drinking water at a low cost even in remote, non-electrified parts of the country. The device requires sunlight and a cheap, abundantly available material – titanium dioxide – used as a photo-catalyst. In the presence of ultraviolet rays of the sun, this titanium dioxide becomes chemically active and kills bacteria such as E coli (Escherichia coli) which causes diarrhea and is being considered as the toughest of disease- causing microbes found in raw water.
During the year 2005-2006 a water treatment powder ‘PUR’ was developed by Procter and Gamble(P&G) USA and promoted and popularized by International Federation of Red Cross and UNICEF, throughout our country as well as other poor countries such as Haiti, Uganda and Pakistan. This powder purifier of water, ‘PUR’ enables point-of-use water treatment through flocculation, sedimentation and disinfection; the same processes that conventional water treatment is based on. Since its introduction PUR has provided safe, clean water in many countries including the Tsunami-ravaged region of South Asia. It was available in sachets (pouch) and was easily available in medical shops. Procter and Gamble (P&G) company is working at producing many medicines in our country as well as other countries. Our government can promote this PUR for large-scale use by citizens.
Governance systems will determine and decide who has the right to water and related services. Mismanagement, corruption, lack of appropriate institutions, bureaucratic inertia and a paucity of investments in human and physical resources mar our water management today. I hope our government will work on all these methods and systems to overcome the present water problems and provide our citizens their right to water which is fundamental.
Yours etc.,
Kamakhya Bhattacharjee,
Shillong -1