Editor,
I write to express my deep concern over the recent appointment of Agatha Sangma as the Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR). This decision, approved by the state cabinet, represents a glaring abuse of power by the Sangma family and reflects a troubling pattern of political patronage that has become endemic in Meghalaya.
Agatha Sangma, despite her credentials as a former Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP, lacks the expertise required to effectively lead a Commission that is tasked with safeguarding the rights of Meghalaya’s children. Her background in environmental management, while commendable, does not align with the core responsibilities of protecting child rights, which require specialized knowledge in child welfare and social work. More troubling is the revelation that her brother, James Sangma, had written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma (younger sibling) to advocate for her appointment to this influential post. Such a brazen display of nepotism is an affront to the principles of fair governance.
The people of Meghalaya deserve better. Agatha Sangma’s appointment, coming on the heels of her defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, further highlights the Sangma family’s grip on power. Similarly, James Sangma’s appointment as Chairman of the Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) with Category A+ privileges, after his own electoral defeat, is yet another example of this family’s opportunistic manoeuvres to maintain political influence and privileges at all costs.
It is disheartening that while vital services like healthcare, education, and rural development remain underfunded, political appointments like these are made without transparent and competitive processes. The people of Meghalaya are watching their state’s institutions being misused for political gain, and this will only erode trust in governance further.
The issue here is not just about one appointment but about a broader system of political favouritism that undermines merit-based appointments. It is imperative that the state government put an end to this unethical practice. Political appointees should be selected based on qualifications, not family connections. The current approach is not only undemocratic but also a grave disservice to the people of this state who deserve leaders with the right skills, integrity, and experience to protect their interests, especially when it comes to the welfare of children.
I urge the people of Meghalaya to demand transparency and merit in all appointments, particularly in key institutions like the SCPCR, and to hold those in power accountable for their actions. Let us not allow the state’s future to be determined by family dynasties but by individuals truly committed to the service of Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
Khlur Basan
Shillong – 5
Trump’s Safety in Question: When will Political Violence End?
Editor,
Violence has no place in American politics nor in any country’s politics. Yet, once again, we confront the possibility of another attempt on Donald Trump’s life. On Sunday, the FBI announced that it was investigating what appeared to be an assassination attempt while the former president was playing golf at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach.
Details of the incident began to emerge on Sunday evening, and we were relieved to quickly learn that Trump remained unharmed and well. Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic rival for the presidency, expressed on social media that she was “glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.” These statements are significant in the current climate because they emphasise the principle that, for democracy to function, even intense political rivals can and will unite against political violence.
This principle is crucial in such a highly contested election, where the very essence of democracy may be at stake. Those who would resort to violence must not be allowed to influence elections by further dividing the American people. According to published reports, Secret Service agents fired at a man they observed hiding in a shrubbery near the golf course, where Trump was playing a hole or two away.
An AK-47-style rifle with a scope was discovered in the bushes, and a suspect was arrested on Interstate 95 in Martin County as per reports. It has only been two months since the Republican presidential candidate was wounded in an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania, where a bloodied Trump raised his fist in defiance and urged the crowd to fight back. There is still much we need to learn about what happened on the golf course on Sunday, but if this proves to be yet another instance of political violence or attempted violence, it will certainly escalate tensions in the presidential election and further polarise Americans.
This is not something that America can or should accept as inevitable.
Political violence undermines democracy, and the American people cannot become desensitised to it. The presence of an AK-47 in the bushes near a presidential candidate should send shivers down the nation’s spine.
Violence, or even the threat of it, must not become a factor in American politics or on any political stage worldwide. Political violence must end, period!
Yours etc.,
Chanmiki Laloo,
Shillong-02
BJP Meghalaya Rejoinder
Editor,
Apropos of the letter captioned “Lone BJP minister A L Hek’s controversial membership drive launch” by Roseph N Marak (ST September 16, 2024), the state BJP through this rejoinder clarifies that the letter is misleading and malafide since the membership drive was launched in Meghalaya on September 3, by A L Hek at the State office, Shillong and that there was no other membership launch conducted on Sunday, September 8, in Tikrikilla as claimed by the writer.
The lone cabinet minister who was on official tour to Tikrikilla on Monday, 9 September to oversee government projects usually requires the presence of local MLA and Jimmy D Sangma the local MLA of Tikrikilla had hosted lunch as a kind gesture. Earlier in the morning while on the way, A L Hek met with party workers of Tura City and Phulbari where state president Rikman Momin was also present. Despite his busy schedule A L Hek who happens to be the state convener for the membership drive in Meghalaya accompanied by the State president and mandal president briefly met with party workers of Tikrikilla to ascertain the overall progress of the membership drive.
The Party reiterates that such letters are only meant to confuse the public and have no merit whatsoever. Party workers from all over the State are in constant touch with the party leadership for any issues they come across and do not resort to taking out their differences in the public domain. And it has also been confirmed by the mandal president of Tikrikilla that Roseph N Marak is not a member of the Party.
Yours etc.,
Wankitbok Pohshna,
State General Secretary
BJP Meghalaya Pradesh