Editor
I take strong objection to the letter written by Mr/Ms S. Lyngdoh that appeared in The Shillong Times on June 19, 2025 titled “Concern over the behaviour of elders in public spaces.”
For the misbehaviour of one elderly person, the entire generation of elders have been vilified in the title of the letter. The letter also includes phrases like “growing trend of intolerance and aggression, even among the older generation” and “uncalled-for behaviour of some elderly individuals.” No evidence has been provided of other examples of bad behaviour by elders, nor have any statistics been provided showing the “growing trend”.
This is irresponsible writing and defamatory to elders like myself. There are other uncalled for sentences in the letter. Like “While age should earn respect, it also comes with the responsibility to set the right example.” Who says so? This is merely the writer’s opinion. Every adult should earn respect and set good examples irrespective of age. Why do we reinforce age stereotypes in this manner?
I’m not sure what the writer’s age is but he/she is showing disrespect to all of us elders by branding us in this manner. Perhaps an apology is called for. Just using one phrase, “regardless of age”, does not cover this slur on the elderly. The writer seems to want a public debate on this. That’s fine, as long it covers all adults in a balanced way, and not biased against one generation.
Yours etc.,
Glenn C. Kharkongor,
Via email
Call for equal justice & responsible reporting in Meghalaya
Editor,
Through the columns of your respected newspaper, I wish to express my growing concern over the unequal response of law enforcement agencies, especially in cases involving non-tribal (non-indigenous )victims.
First and foremost, the swift action by the Meghalaya Police in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case must be appreciated. Cracking such a heinous crime within a week shows what the department is capable of when they act with intent and focus. The officers and its team involved have done a commendable job.
It is also worth highlighting the stellar role played not only by the Police Department but also by the Government of Meghalaya, particularly the Chief Minister. His timely involvement and assurance to the family of the deceased showed a strong commitment to justice. The coordinated effort between the administration and police in this case has set an example of swift and responsible governance, this is the kind of leadership that builds trust among the citizens and upholds the rule of law.
However, this also highlights a painful truth – when it comes to stabbing or murder of non-tribals, the same urgency and seriousness is often missing from the same law enforcement agencies. Let us not forget the incident of stabbing that happened on January 20, 2022 just opposite the Lumdiengjri police station in which not a single person was arrested. Another incident in which two persons were killed at Ichamati on March 28, 2024 and assault of three non-tribal(non-indigenous ) construction workers with rods on April 10, 2024 at Mawlai-Mawroh in which one person died. In these cases, despite the gravity of the crimes, the accused were granted bail, and till date, justice has not been delivered. These incidents have raised legitimate concerns about selective approach and unequal justice in our state. Adding to this, in a recent incident in Bara Bazar, where extortion slips were openly distributed – a matter that was even reported by your esteemed newspaper, till date no arrests have been made, and none of the pressure groups have been questioned. Why this silence when such actions directly threaten the safety and economy of Shillong’s business community?
Another unfortunate aspect is the role of certain national media outlets, which irresponsibly reported on the Raja Raguvanshi murder case without verifying facts. They wrongly accused the Meghalaya Government and Police Department of inaction, even as the investigation was actively ongoing. Such baseless national coverage not only spreads fear but also damages the image of Meghalaya – a state that heavily depends on tourism.
Take Sohra for example – a world-famous tourist destination known for its beauty and hospitality. Today, hundreds of locals, including women and youth, run homestays, restaurants, and small businesses there. Tourism is their main source of livelihood. Irresponsible national media reporting that portrays Meghalaya as unsafe can seriously harm these innocent people, affecting the state’s economy and leading to job losses in these peaceful communities.
Therefore, I humbly appeal to the Meghalaya Government and Police to ensure justice is delivered equally, regardless of the victim’s background. To all pressure groups and civil society, please speak out and act against all violence, not selectively. To the national media I say – report facts responsibly, as your words directly impact the lives of everyday people. Only then, will the State of Meghalaya truly live up to its spirit of unity, justice, and peace for all its people.
Yours etc.,
Homnath Gautam,
Shillong-2
Banks should respond to public queries in the media
Editor,
It’s intriguing that my last letter, ‘Why is Aadhaar compulsory for opening bank accounts?'( ST May 16th,2025) which incidentally appeared in these columns did not elicit any response from the banking sector. Aren’t banks supposed to be customer friendly and responsive? In that letter l had requested the concerned bank officials to enlighten the public as to why a new client who intends to open a savings bank account is being asked to mandatorily produce their Aadhaar biometrics documents, failing which they are shown the door, thereby denying them their right to open bank accounts. More importantly, in the month of April, this year, a Meghalaya unit of the Awaken India Movement with the support of the North Shillong MLA, A. Nongrum had held a public protest against the compulsive Aadhaar Card regimentation of all citizens in order to access any public welfare scheme designed by the government. From this public demonstration one gathered that the protesters are solely against the government’s denial of societal benefits for non-possession of Aadhaar registration,inferring that the question of banks vis-a-vis Aadhaar question does not figure at all in this tussle!
However, to date it seems that no semblance of a rejoinder has come from the banking sector against the letter in question if only for the sake of enlightening the general public. This non-responsive attitude of the banks means that the hoi polloi have the inalienable right to open their bank accounts sans Aadhaar seeding/linking against their respective names. Henceforth, if no rebuttal is forthcoming to this critique, the victims concerned may perhaps produce this write-up before the banking functionaries as a stark case in point.
Yours etc.,
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Shillong-2
Public safety hazard from low-hanging utility pole wires in Shillong
Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities and the public to an increasing safety hazard that continues to go unnoticed—the dangerously low-hanging cable wires from utility poles across several localities in Shillong.
In various areas of the city—such as Laitumkhrah, Dhankheti, Moti Nagar, Nongthymmai, Rynjah, and parts of Polo—multiple overhead wires, particularly those belonging to internet and cable TV providers, are observed dropping so low that they are almost within reach of pedestrians. In some cases, these cables hang barely six feet from the ground, brushing past heads and almost tangling with the houses of people.
This situation poses serious public safety risks:
• There is potential for electric shock or trip-and-fall accidents.
• The wires obstruct visibility for drivers, especially during low-light hours or rainfall.
• In case of heavy winds or storms, these cables may bring down electric poles or cause sparks and fires.
Despite repeated warnings issued by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) regarding unauthorized cabling on electric poles, the problem continues, either due to a lack of enforcement or negligence by private service providers.
I urge the local municipal bodies to:
• Immediately survey and identify dangerous cable droops.
• Direct all telecom and internet companies to regularize their installations or face penalties.
• Raise public awareness and establish a helpline or reporting mechanism for such safety hazards.
As Shillong continues to grow and modernize, public safety should not be compromised. A coordinated effort between utility companies, government departments, and citizens is urgently needed to address this potentially life-threatening issue.
Yours etc.,
Maphishisha Khyriem.
Via email