Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw attention to the recent restrictions imposed on tourist taxis in Meghalaya and Assam. Several incidents have highlighted the growing difficulties faced by drivers and travellers alike due to such measures.
The All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) seems to be inspired by the Sikkim model, and now attempts are being made to replicate the same system in Meghalaya. If this practice spreads, other states may also follow, creating widespread problems for interstate transport. This will not only hamper tourism but also disturb harmony among states.
It is important to remember the principle — Divide we fall, united we stand. Tourist taxis already operate with valid permits issued against proper payments. Imposing further restrictions goes against the Motor Vehicles Act and violates constitutional rights of free movement and trade.
Authorities must act urgently to safeguard the livelihood of drivers and ensure smooth travel for tourists. Meghalaya, being a tourism-dependent state, should not adopt policies that discourage visitors.
Yours etc.,
Suresh Rana,
Siliguri
Insaphira’s family deserves to have all questions answered
Editor,
The police/SIT has released its first statement regarding the death of young Insaphira Lyngdoh Mawnai. While the narrative provided is that a 13 year old boy had accidentally caused the girl child to drown and had lied about the circumstances out of fear, yet what is strange is that neither the boy’s mother nor the girl’s parents are convinced by this narrative. And we cannot simply dismiss their disbelief. After all, it stems from legitimate questions surrounding the whole affair.
No. 1. We still have no answer as to who opened the lock of the gate to Insaphira’s home in the morning. As initially stated by the mother of the girl, the gate was locked by 12 midnight, but the lock was found open in the morning, despite no one having woken up.
No. 2. How could a 13 year old boy be able to carry or pull the girl child over the wall which must be at least 6 feet high, and yet not be able to save her from drowning in a pit that is half as deep? And surprisingly he was able to pull her up and place a boulder over her body. This part just seems strange. The boy’s strength seems to be inconsistent.
No. 3. The search team as well as the girl’s father are still insisting they had searched the very site where the body was found, even though the police narrative says the girl died on that very site and her body was not carried from somewhere else. Could the search team be wrong? Are we demanding too much from them, to deny their own experience, and that too, not just of one individual but of a whole crowd of adult, sensible, men? The post mortem report stated how and when she died, but we also need to know the post mortem report on whether there was any sign that the body was moved in the time between her death and her lifeless body being found.
No. 4. If the boy concocted the story of a black Scorpio, then what are the odds that a similar vehicle would be involved in an attempt to kidnap another boy just 1 or 2 days after, at Lad Mawreng? Isn’t this other incident relevant to the present case, considering such coincidences? Or is this another case of childhood imagination?
No. 5. The mother of the boy insists that the boy was not wet nor had he changed his clothes, which does not fit the narrative that he had fallen into the pit of water.
On the other hand, if the police narrative is indeed true and conclusive, then the composure of the boy to misdirect and lie, is indeed extraordinary.
Judging by social media comments, and the statements released by both the girl’s and boy’s families, no one seems convinced by this narrative. If there are other parties involved, we hope they will soon be nabbed and brought to justice. If not, then we hope that the families involved would have all their questions answered so that they can rest with a meaningful and factual explanation to this tragedy.
Yours etc.,
Kitdor H. Blah,
Shillong
Tourist Taxi Imbroglio
Editor,
The decision taken by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) to prohibit all tourist vehicles with Assam registration to enter tourist spots in Meghalaya, has adversely affected the movement of people from both the states, The ripple effect was felt when the Tourist Taxi Association from Assam started stopping vehicles coming from Meghalaya and travelling towards Assam. This action is creating tremendous hardship and suffering to hundred of commuters from both states especially those who are in need of urgent medical treatment or assistance. This issue needs to be addressed right away by both the state governments in a reciprocal manner so that this issue does not further escalate. As we all know the Transport Sector is a subsidiary of tourism and the local stakeholders like the drivers’ association deserve a stake or are entitled for a fair share from this thriving industry. We need a solution at this juncture and the government of the day needs to come up with a policy level intervention so that both parties are content with any future arrangement.
My other concern is that I am sensing that there is more to the situation than what is visible from the outside. My theory is that we cannot rule out a political angle to this “Shenanigan.” Perhaps some political groups are instigating this whole agitation in order to further their political objectives in the state. If my theory is correct then this is a very dangerous trend because at the end it is the general public who will have to take the hit or suffer the negative consequences for the actions of some over ambitious individuals.
Yours etc.,
K. Warjri,
Via email
