Editor,
The recent story published in ‘The Times Of India’ about the Indore couple who went missing in Sohra, Meghalaya, reeks of false narratives and has sparked outrage among the locals. The report’s assertion that the location where the couple’s belongings were discovered is a “crime-prone hill” is recklessly sensationalist and factually false.
As a resident of Sohra, I can confirm that our area is visited by innumerable travellers, both men and women, who safely traverse our place on foot or by local transportation. Although accidents do occasionally happen because of the steep and slick terrain, calling Sohra “crime-prone” is untrue and demeaning to our community. There is no history of widespread crime against tourists, and locals are very helpful and friendly with all visitors.
It is disgraceful for a reputed publication like The Times of India to publish unverified, fear-mongering claims without proper investigation. Rather than publishing unverified and sensationalized news, The Times of India should have conducted thorough research and investigation. Before labeling the area “Crime-Prone,” they should have examined the region’s crime rates and history. Most of their published statements about the missing couple from Indore are factually incorrect, making me wonder if their staff even visited the area or simply made assumptions from their office. Such reporting tarnishes the reputation of our home and fuels unnecessary panic.
Indeed, I’m saddened to learn about the incident and wish for the couple’s safe return soon. I urge everyone to refrain from relying on media outlets like ‘The Times of India’ that spread misinformation and instead seek accurate information from regional and credible sources. Let’s also avoid jumping to conclusions, as the police are working tirelessly alongside local residents to trace the missing couple.
I’d also like to clarify that there’s no such “Crime-Prone Hill” in Sohra, contrary to claims made by irresponsible and unprofessional journalists, such as those at ‘The Times of India’, and some YouTubers from the mainland. Sohra is a safe destination for everyone to explore, and the locals are indeed helpful and friendly. I advise readers to avoid drawing conclusions based on careless journalism and instead look for information from reliable local sources. Sohra is still a friendly and safe place for everyone to visit. Our truth will not be overshadowed by sensationalism.
Yours etc., ,
Carmel Fedrick Malngiang
Resident of Sohra, East Khasi Hills District).
Via email
Power cuts and billing Issues in Border Areas
Editor,
I am writing to formally express my serious concern about the recurring power outages affecting West Jaintia Hills border regions, despite the Power Minister’s assertion that Meghalaya has surplus power and is self- reliant. The stark contrast between the statement and ground reality is alarming. Residents of these areas face daily power cuts throughout the year regardless of weather conditions thereby disrupting daily life and economic activities. Residents, businesses and offices utilise generators, inverters and solar power extensively for backup power. Moreover, the electricity bills are exorbitant and inconsistent, adding to the frustration. Power outages create cascading effects, including cellular network disruptions, which significantly compound communication and payment processing difficulties particularly in the current digital landscape, where the preponderance of transactions are conducted online. I sincerely urge the authorities to:
1. Investigate the root causes of power cuts and take corrective measures.
2. Ensure reliable power supply to border areas.
3. Review and revise billing practices to reflect actual consumption.
I hope the concerned authorities will take immediate action to address this issue.
Yours etc
Chanmiki Lamin
Via email
Struggles of local entrepreneurs & local businesses
Editor,
Through this column, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned stakeholders to the problems faced by local entrepreneurs and local businesses in Meghalaya, where manufacturing and production industries are limited. PRIME or CM conclaves are only reaching out to a handful. Government jobs are saturated, leaving the right to earn a decent living to local entrepreneurs and local businesses.
Firstly, both the private and official promotions for local products are insignificant within the state and outside it. Due to lack of promotional attempts, products don’t find a market. This is the era of booming social media promos but entrepreneurs and small businesses cannot afford to pay advertising fees. Hence Meghalaya’s business entities are in a state of obscurity. Such lack of promotion has limited the reach of our products to the end consumers, thereby making it hard for entrepreneurs to make a living out of their creativity.
Secondly, as mentioned earlier in the absence of production and manufacturing industries in the state, the scope of employment and survival through livelihoods is limited, thereby severely affecting the local economy and self-reliance. In turn this has affected the livelihoods of people here.
Thirdly, the local entrepreneurs and business establishments not only generate profit for their individual businesses but can also create employment opportunities for others and enable them to be financially stable. This also means an increase in state revenue. Finally, locals businesses matter more than commercial chains, importing all products- from eggs to rice, fish to vegetables from outside the state. It only exposes our incapacity to produce and manufacture within the state. Even the local agricultural businesses, especially farmers face a lot of hardships and losses from time to time as the Government fails to supply high yielding variety of seeds and other necessities at the right time, apart from also failing to market the produce of farmers and also to provide cold storage facilities to prevent a glut of the same crops in the market at a time.
Hence many farmers have small fragmented land parcels, making it difficult to achieve economies of scale and improvement. This is the main factor with farmers struggling in local business.
Access to reliable transportation and communication is also another factor as it costs more when farmers hire transportation to carry farm products. This can be prevented through the help of government by providing more opportunities and reducing tax on local entrepreneurs and local businesses as a support system. Also by introducing a single window system for young local entrepreneurs and local businesses to kick- start their businesses by reducing paper work it would help a lot in facilitating small businesses.
Government should help to promote products of local entrepreneurs through advertisements in local news channels or the newly introduced LED Boards spread across the localities even while the farmers get their requirements on time for their farming to be successful. Entrepreneurs and businesses would deeply appreciate the Government’s immediate action on this critical matter as we strive for a stable economy.
Yours etc.,
Christie Shaiza,
Via email