Editor,
Patricia Mukhim’s article, Who is the Real Men Die Ri? (Traitor) (ST October 10, 2025), hits the mark in highlighting Meghalaya’s pressing challenges. It confronts the unfair labelling of individuals with non-tribal ties as “Men Die Ri”, implying disloyalty to Khasi roots. In doing so, it exposes a serious oversight: the countless contributions of those who, despite such ties, have worked tirelessly for the state’s growth and development.
Fear of outsiders, often amplified by pressure groups, has fostered a culture of suspicion that blocks progress. Essential projects, like the proposed railway into the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, are opposed not on reasoned grounds but on fear, depriving communities of lower costs for essential goods and new livelihoods. Meanwhile, corruption, extortion, and weak governance continue to hurt the poorest, who struggle daily to survive.
Meghalaya’s real challenge is not the outsider but the absence of courageous, visionary leadership that can balance cultural preservation with meaningful development. Society deserves governments that inspire hope, take bold decisions, and ensure progress that benefits all citizens, not just a privileged few.
It is time to move beyond fear, rhetoric, and inertia. Open dialogue, accountability, and long-term planning are essential if Meghalaya is to realize its true potential. Protecting culture need not come at the cost of progress; true loyalty lies in serving the people, not defending old fears. The world remembers results, not promises. With strong, visionary leadership, our state can rise too and we are all watching you, hope in our eyes.
Yours etc.,
Shivani Pde,
Via email
Congress Party’s Misplaced Priorities
Editor
We have all witnessed varying political swings, twists and turns in the last few months with some political parties taking to the streets in support of social and politically sensitive issues. However, a recent protest led by the Congress party, pertaining to an incident that happened in a distant place in the State of Kerela where slogans were raised calling for the banning of the RSS a right-wing politically linked organization seems more of misplaced priority. It reeks of jingoism and appears to be an attempt to stay relevant in the public domain. Had they raised or protested on the streets of Shillong in support for the victims of kidnapping and child murder it would have been appreciated and perhaps they could have increased their vote banks a bit more. We’ve never heard of the Kerela Congress coming out in support for issues that had affected our state such as the shooting incident at Mukroh, West Jaintia Hills. We can hardly recollect if any protests were ever organised by the Party in Kerela on an issue in Meghalaya. The Congress is the party which under Nehru and Gandhi had lifted the ban on the RSS so why is it now calling for its ban? This seems like a desperate attempt to score brownie points against the BJP or NPP. But this is hardly helping the Congress. Perhaps the MPCC and the AICC would need to re-evaluate their political strategies better to stay alive in the long run. Period.
Yours etc..
Dominic S. Wankhar
Via email
Unwarranted attack on Sanatan Dharma
Editor,
This refers to Kelsang Trinlay’s response dated October 14, 2025 to my letter of October 8, 2025. It is unfortunate that Trinlay has chosen to misrepresent the concern I raised. This approach is often seen within the so-called left liberal eco-system. My original letter simply emphasized that individuals holding high public office, such as the Chief Justice of India, should speak with balance and respect when addressing matters of faith.
Trinlay’s reply did not engage with this point. Instead, it shifted focus and turned into an unwarranted diatribe against Sanatan Dharma. This reaction is familiar among certain ideological circles. However, such prejudice cannot diminish the essence of Sanatan Dharma, which is rooted in tolerance, accommodation and forgiveness.
To illustrate this diversion, I am reminded of a humorous anecdote. A student who had memorized an essay on “Dog” was asked to write about “River.” He still wrote about the dog and simply placed it on the riverbank. Trinlay’s response follows a similar pattern. It reads like an ideological essay loosely connected to the original topic. It appears that he holds grievances against Sanatan Dharma and certain political parties and has used his “reply” as an opportunity to voice those grudges, even citing questionable statistics from dubious sources, while claiming to respond to points that were never raised.
This example shows us the importance of approaching public discourse with clarity and fairness. We must examine issues as they are, not through the lens of personal bias or ideological agenda. Meaningful dialogue depends on relevance and honesty, not distortion or deflection, which Trinley has resorted to.
Yours etc.,
D. Bhattacharjee,
Via email
Every Child is Ours — Let’s Keep Them Safe
Editor,
This refers to the article, “The Murders of Children in Nongrah and Public Discourse” by Kyrsibor Pyrtuh, published in The Shillong Times (ST Oct 16, 2025). I sincerely thank the author and the newspaper for giving the highest importance to this horrifying issue — one that has been occurring too often and too fearlessly.
Each crime against a child tears at the moral heart of our society. Beyond the tragedy lies a hard truth: somewhere we have grown used to pain that should have shaken us all. It is time to move from sorrow to solidarity, from fear to firm action.
Let this be the beginning of a people’s movement — one strong enough that no one will ever dare to harm a child again. Let us treat every child in our city, our village, as our own. If we see something suspicious — a frightened cry, a stranger behaving oddly, a child in distress — let us not turn away. Let us speak, report, and act. Silence has never saved anyone.
Learning from Others: Across India and the world, simple yet firm measures have saved countless children: Kerala’s “Childline 1098” network runs day and night, connecting police, hospitals, NGOs, and volunteers to rescue children in distress.
Delhi’s “Operation Smile” and “Operation Muskaan” have traced thousands of missing children through community-police cooperation.
Maharashtra’s “Bal Sanrakshan Samitis” (Child Protection Committees) hold monthly reviews in villages to monitor at-risk children and families.
The UK’s “Amber Alert” system broadcasts emergency alerts instantly on phones, media, and highways when a child goes missing.
In Canada, Community Watch Groups coordinate closely with police to prevent crimes and respond immediately to suspicious activity.
These models work because they unite law, community, and compassion — the three pillars of any safe society. Meghalaya can build its own model based on these tested ideas, shaped by our unique community strength and neighbourly trust.
To make child protection a living reality, we can:
1. Create Local Child Protection Units in every ward, with teachers, social workers, police, and youth volunteers.
2. Integrate Child-Safety Lessons into school curricula, teaching children how to recognise danger and seek help.
3. Establish Fast-Track Investigation Cells for crimes against minors, ensuring swift justice.
4. Launch Awareness Campaigns to dispel superstitions and myths that often cloud judgment.
5. Introduce a Unified Helpline linked to community volunteers, hospitals, and social workers.
6. Hold Regular Neighbourhood Watch Meetings where people discuss safety, report concerns, and learn response protocols.
These steps are practical and people-driven — not dependent on large budgets but on goodwill and coordination.
Ultimately, no law can replace human concern. The greatest protection a child can have is the collective conscience of a caring community. Let us not wait for another tragedy to wake us up. Let Nongrah be remembered not for its horror but as the spark that united us in courage and compassion.
Let us pledge: “Every child in Meghalaya is my child. I will watch, I will care, and I will act.”
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Tura
