Editor,
I am writing as a concerned citizen of Meghalaya to highlight a growing issue that threatens both our democratic values and public welfare — the forceful closure of central government offices and essential services during local festivals.
While it is only right that our state celebrates its vibrant culture and diverse traditions with pride, such celebrations must not come at the cost of violating the rule of law, disrupting national institutions, or infringing upon the rights of others.
It is important to remember that central government offices such as banks and post offices operate under Union laws, including the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which clearly defines bank holidays and specifies that only the Reserve Bank of India and notified banks can follow certain holiday schedules. These offices are not bound by state-declared holidays, and any attempt to shut them down through coercion or pressure is legally unjustified.
When banks and post offices are forcibly closed, it affects not just government operations but also ordinary citizens — individuals needing critical financial services, postal deliveries, or communication support.
To the Government of Meghalaya, I urge that it takes a clear and principled stand — protect the cultural identity of our people while ensuring that constitutional institutions remain protected from unlawful interference.
To the local pressure groups and civil society organizations advocating for these closures, I appeal for reflection — true respect for tradition does not require force. Let us celebrate our heritage without compromising the dignity and rights of others. Cultural pride must be rooted in mutual respect, dialogue, and coexistence, not intimidation.
Let us move forward together — not divided by pressure or fear, but united by wisdom, justice, and a shared love for our land and nation
Yours etc.,
Marbiang Rymbai
Via email
Ban on modified lights
Editor
Apropos to your recent news report on the menace of illegal installation of after-market headlights on two and four wheelers like LEDs and HIDs which is not from a company or manufacturer installed, this problem is critical to address. The State Traffic Police as well as the Transport Department ought to tackle this menace. The use of such modified and illegal lights on vehicles not only obstructs other oncoming vehicles but also puts pedestrian lives in danger at night or late evening. There is a regulation on the use of such lights and most importantly it is for the Traffic Department to initiate a poster or flyer campaign in all traffic junctions before imposing heavy penalties and also taking intensive patrolling at night even along the highways. Many a times accidents occur because of illiterate drivers even though they may be educated or semi-educated but are not informed of this violation. It is important that the SP in-charge of traffic address this matter lest it turns into a legal wrangle in the court.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S.Wankhar,
Via email
More Govt action needed to contain drug addiction
Editor,
In Meghalaya today, narcotic drugs addiction, particularly among the youth, has become a serious threat to the social fabric. It is unfortunately quite common to spot young individuals scavenging through streets and dustbins to fund their addiction. Ironically, these addicts are none other than our children. Thus, the society and government as a whole needs to come forward and fight this menace together. As per some reports, over 3 lakh people in Meghalaya—almost 10% of the population—are drug users in some form. However, awareness campaigns led by NGOs and civil society groups remain sporadic and largely ineffective at the grassroots level in tackling this serious societal problem.
Enforcement agencies including the Police, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and Customs are undoubtedly making efforts—conducting regular seizures and maintaining vigilance—but it is virtually impossible to completely stop the inflow of narcotics in any society. The impact of the Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) launched by Government for combating drug trafficking and setting up rehabilitation centres has also been minimal, owing to its half-hearted implementation and lack of legal teeth to support its objectives.
Instead of spending large amounts of taxpayer’s revenue on ‘inorganic’ events like the Cherry Blossom Festival (which are more state- sponsored events than festivals), the Government should shift its priorities and bring in a dedicated law that empowers authorities to detain and treat drug addicts found in public places with the aim of protecting and rehabilitating them without criminalization. Such legislation should also include schemes for setting up of district level drug de-addiction centres with trained medical professionals and psychologists with mechanisms for post-recovery support to reintegrate the individuals back to society. Although Meghalaya is a revenue starved state, there should not be any dearth of funds to run the detention and rehabilitation centres for the addicts if the Government reallocates funds from extravagant events, luxury vehicles for ministers and bureaucrats, and other unnecessary expenditures. Drug addiction is a cancer that is eating away our society, posing unbelievable threats to our youth and citizens. It is the moral duty of each citizen of Meghalaya to mobilize public opinion and demand accountability and decisive action from the Government on this serious issue. It is time for the Government to wake up—not just with data, but with concrete action for saving our youths.
Yours etc.,
D. Bhattacharjee
Shillong- 1
Urgent Need for Cadastral Survey & Land Reforms in Meghalaya
Editor,
The editorial “Looting the Commons” (ST July 17, 2025) was very interesting to read. It is the failure of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Syiem of Mylliem in not keeping the sanctity of the agreement signed in 2014 in which they had jointly declared it as a “Law Adong”. Merely declaring a “Law Adong” without monitoring and upkeeping what is happening in and around it is meaningless. Therefore, unless the idea piloted by late Brington Buhai Lyngdoh the State’s first Minister of Revenue and Finance to have in place a cadastral survey and implement the same as stipulated in the Meghalaya Land Survey and Records Preparation Act, 1980 to formalize this effort, with implementation support from the Autonomous District Councils and technical assistance from the state government, such incidents will keep recurring in the absence of record of land rights. One recalls that the Land Reforms Commission headed by Late R Tokin Rymbai way back in 1974 or 51 years ago highlighted the rampant illegal sale of community lands in Khasi Hills. The absence of codified land laws and governance mechanism and the urgent need for cadastral mapping and record-of-rights to protect indigenous land rights are imperatives that the Khasi civil society should take up urgently because politicians will not do it. Although the Act of 1980 was amended in 1991 to allow District Councils to implement the Land Survey Act with state support, no clear roadmap or funding mechanism was established, leaving the Amendment largely symbolic.
The editorial is right in stating that “the KHADC needs a wake-up call for rapid action to reclaim community land.” But unless what is referred to above is in place how will the District Council reclaim such land?
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email