Editor,
The news headlines, “Govt to pay salaries of all District Council staff from Nov 1st” is a most welcome news and will bring much relief to the distraught and anxious employees of these councils. The Government needs to be congratulated for such a bold step though it will definitely add an extra burden to an already overstretched state budget.
It is no fault of the appointed employees that they have not been paid , some over 43 months! Its criminal and against human rights. As per news reports there are over 2,500 employees in GHADC and over 1500 in JHADC. All irregular appointments! The question now is who made these irregular appointments? Perhaps over a period of time but that does not dilute the seriousness of the question nor of the huge financial leakage it has caused the Government. With what intention were they made? To improve work or to promote political benefit of someone? In reality it smacks of gigantic misuse of public finances by political functionaries! A clear case of financial misconduct and money laundering for political gain by someone in these ADCs.
India has laws and agencies to investigate such crimes. We have the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Lokayukta. These agencies have been used in the past for far lesser cases than the one being unearthed in the JHADC and GHADC. If the MDA has taken the courageous step of paying the pending salaries of the suffering ADC should it also not have the guts to order an ED enquiry into how and why these irregular appointments took place in the first place? It will not harm the employees but will bring to book those who think that their elections gave them the right to loot the public exchequer.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Nothing ever changes in Meghalaya
Editor, ,
As young students (millennials), we grew up attending several awareness programs (mostly conducted by the State Council of Science, Technology & Environment (SCSTE) in various venues) which had harped on the same strings as yesterday’s editorial (‘Selling the Environment’ – ST 06.08.2025). Mama Nicky’s ‘Hei ka Pla’ would resonate loudly in our radio as we waited patiently for the request line from 91.5 FM. Then, we finally met him in one of our school events. At one point of time, he enthusiastically demonstrated how to eat KWAI – to remove the excess lime with the tip of the betel leaf. Years have passed, Mama Nick is still standing strong in his passion towards the environment and so does the artistic average-Khasi-height-lime-smears in the luxurious textured walls of Poinisuk Hotel in Laitumkhrah.
The issue of waste management is a decade old issue that is sidelined consecutively by concerned authorities from one administration to the other (Pardon my memory! The stench – Oh! The foul odour… coming from that area fogs my thinking ability). The whole of Shillong and its outskirts is helping Mawlai people, Guardians of the Khasis, by stacking piles of waste to form a ladder, in the hope that someday we’ll be able to climb up to heaven to reclaim our Shining Sword from the Lord Thunder. Our Science Centre is not SCIENCING anymore! (Gen-Alpha Term). As old and new problems take away our mental peace, I humbly invite all – Let’s close our nose and our ears and our eyes! Let’s dream about high-rise buildings and instruct Chat-GPT to redesign certain areas in Shillong to suit our dream of a future environmentally friendly city. As to the concluding open-ended question by Madam Editor yesterday – “But what about the large majority that must live and die in this state?” – Well, A wise Indian man once said “Life ek safar hain!” – Chalo! Let’s undertake this SUFFER together!
Yours etc.,
Kyntiewborlang Kharakor
Shillong – 17
Fix the Border, Not the Fear
Editor
The article titled “The Signs of the Times – A Need for Identity Verification” by Toki Blah (ST August 19, 2025), talks about serious concerns in Meghalaya especially around border security, illegal entry of people from Bangladesh, and the fear of losing tribal identity.
The article refers to the arrest of six people in South West Khasi Hills who were identified as illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh and sees this as a warning sign that the state is becoming more vulnerable. Blah criticizes the state government for not taking the issue seriously. In particular, he objects to the Chief Minister calling the incident just a robbery, saying this shows the government does not understand the bigger threat.
Blah argues that the situation is part of a larger regional crisis. He claims that on August 5, 2024, the Government of Bangladesh was overthrown by radical Islamic groups, and a new caretaker government led by Muhammad Yunus took over which is openly anti-India. However, this claim is not true. As of 2024, Sheikh Hasina is still the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and no such coup has happened. Muhammad Yunus does not hold any official leadership role. This major mistake weakens the entire argument of the article, making it sound more like fear-based speculation than a reliable analysis.
The article goes on to say that this so-called new Bangladesh is now supporting Islamic radicalism, working with China and Pakistan, and trying to separate Northeast India economically from the rest of the country. These claims are not backed by solid evidence and seem more like conspiracy theories.
Blah describes the arrested individuals not as poor migrants looking for a better life, but as strong, armed men who look like trained agents. He suggests they were sent to spread fear and disrupt local communities. From this, he imagines a long-term plan: sneak people in, create fear, force locals to leave, settle permanently, marry into local families, get Indian documents, and eventually take over politically turning the region into a Muslim-majority area under radical influence.
While illegal migration and fake documents are real problems in border areas like Meghalaya, the article wrongly links all such migration to terrorism and religious takeover. This kind of thinking can unfairly target innocent people and spread fear against entire communities. Even though the author says he respects peaceful Muslims, his words often blur the line between real threats and innocent citizens.
To deal with the issue, Blah suggests two solutions- form local Village Defence Parties (VDPs), give them weapons, and connect them digitally to Border Security Force (BSF) outposts. Introduce biometric smart ID cards to verify who is a tribal person or a genuine Indian citizen.
After all, the old Inner Line Permit system may not be enough for today’s challenges. But the way these ideas are presented is worrying. Giving guns to civilians without proper training or control could lead to violence and abuse. Biometric IDs might help stop fraud, but they also raise concerns about privacy – mistakes that could exclude real citizens, and misuse of personal data. The article does not talk about these risks, making the solutions seem perfect when they are not.
Public reaction to the article has been mixed. Some see it as just fear-mongering. Critics say it uses exaggerated language and unproven claims to stir up fear, playing on people’s worries about culture and security to push a narrow, exclusionary agenda. Because the article lacks reliable sources especially on the false claim about Bangladesh’s government many question its real purpose. It feels less like a serious policy piece and more like propaganda that could harm peace in a diverse state like Meghalaya.
Still, the article does point to real issues that need attention. The border between India and Bangladesh is not fully secure, and illegal migration whether for jobs, safety, or other reasons is a complex problem. Tribal communities in Meghalaya have long worried about losing their land, culture, and political voice. The current permit system may need updating to meet modern needs.
The right way forward is through open and inclusive talks—between tribal leaders, civil society, security forces, and government officials. The goal should be fair, legal, and smart ways to manage borders and verify identity without blaming whole religions or countries.
In short, while Toki Blah’s article is flawed in facts and tone, it highlights a deeper truth: in times of change, questions about identity, security, and belonging are deeply sensitive. They need calm, honest, and fact-based leadership not fear and exaggeration.
Yours etc.,
Marbiang Lyngdoh Rymbai
Via email