Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to draw urgent attention to the growing and deeply troubling issue of noise pollution caused by late-night celebrations—be it weddings, birthdays, or other events—across Shillong. In recent weeks, some localities have witnessed a rise in such disturbances, including a recent incident where a wedding party continued with loud music and DJ sets well past midnight, lasting until 3 a.m. in a particular area. Such unchecked high-decibel noise is not only a violation of legal norms but also an outright assault on the peace, health, and well-being of residents.
What is most distressing is the severe impact these disturbances have on children, senior citizens, and students. At a time when many students are preparing for their final examinations, prolonged late-night noise robs them of rest, focus, and a calm environment essential for their studies. Likewise, elderly residents and infants—who are particularly sensitive to loud and continuous sound—bear the brunt of these violations.
These recurring incidents raise serious questions: Why do the Dorbar Shnong, the Dorbar Dong, and even the District Administration consistently fail to intervene in time? When wedding celebrations blatantly flout noise regulations, it points to a worrying reluctance to enforce existing laws, resulting in a systemic failure to protect public peace.
While festivities and cultural celebrations are important to our society, they cannot override the fundamental right of citizens to a peaceful night’s rest. Shillong cannot aspire to be an educationally progressive city if such persistent disturbances are ignored in our neighbourhoods.
It is worth noting that this problem of lax enforcement is not limited to wedding celebrations alone; even major public events in recent times have shown a similar disregard for noise restrictions. This recurring pattern only reinforces the urgent need for authorities to take decisive, consistent action throughout the year. And we must ask ourselves a simple yet crucial question: does the rule of law truly prevail in these hills?
I sincerely hope the concerned authorities take immediate steps to curb these violations and ensure strict compliance with established noise control laws across all localities.
Yours etc.,
P Majaw,
Shillong-1
A horrific accident
Editor,
When I first saw the video of the gruesome accident that took place at NEHU Campus, Shillong that was circulated on social media I thought it was AI generated. The intensity with which the vehicle hit the two girls was such that it gave the chills to anyone who saw it. If only this was the work of technology. However tragically, it was but a fellow human being who was in an inebriated condition ran his vehicle on the two girls on that fateful evening. The law must take its course and the man behind the wheel must be punished and put behind bars. I cannot begin to imagine the condition of the girls who have suffered this tragedy for no fault of theirs.
Accident is normally understood as an event or a situation that takes place by chance and unintentionally but this time the accident was one inflicted by an adult who was fully aware of his condition and a man who knows well that he was breaking the law. This tragic incident cannot be dismissed as a mere accident because driving under the influence of alcohol is neither unforeseen nor unintentional. The man has violated the law and he knowingly endangers not only his own life but the lives of every pedestrian and fellow drivers around him. The driver must be severely punished. The justice system is expected to ensure that such blatant negligence is not treated lightly, especially when the victims are still battling for survival.
No words can adequately describe the anguish of the family members of the two girls. One moment their daughters were walking within what should have been the safety of a university campus; the next, they were being rushed to the hospital with injuries that no parent should ever have to witness. It is even more painful for them to come to terms with the fact that their daughters did nothing wrong but simply became victims of someone else’s irresponsibility. The parents’ emotional suffering is immeasurable
As the two young girls continue to fight for their lives in critical condition, we pray for their recovery though the trauma of this accident will be beyond the visible injuries. They may need months or even years of treatment and counselling. Their dreams, routines, and aspirations have been abruptly interrupted by one thoughtless act of another person. What was once a normal evening for them has now become a defining moment they never asked for.
This incident is a reminder that irresponsible behaviour on the road can change lives in an instant. There is a need for stricter enforcement of drunk-driving laws, accountability for offenders, and a collective societal intolerance towards such recklessness. While the accident demands empathy for the girls who are battling for their lives the law must be rigorous and it must act as a deterrent so that such tragedies do not repeat in the future.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Bangladesh drifts towards fundamentalism
Editor,
The editorial “Hasina, India” (ST November 19, 2025) made interesting reading, A death sentence from Bangladesh International Crime Tribunal has made Sheikh Hasina’s return to Dhaka impossible for now and with the Awami League banned from political activity, the field is left open to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. Under the interim chief Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka has drifted closer to Islamabad since August 2024 with the fundamentalist groups emboldened. Deep Halder the author of ‘Inshallah Bangladesh’ on Bangladesh ‘s drift from 1971 argues that Jamaat is becoming the de facto system in Dhaka, reversing the secular ideals of 1971.
The Bangladesh National Party is widely expected to come to power in 2026. Halder warns India must hope for a “new BNP,” since the 2001 BNP-Jamaat coalition period saw massacres of Hindus and widespread violence. The judicial commissions documented atrocities, including villages where women were raped repeatedly in a single night. India fears a repeat of the BNP-Jamaat era, which was hostile to Indian interests. The author of ‘Inshallah Bangladesh’ stresses that while India must do business with whoever comes to power given the fact remains that BNP’s historic stance has not been pro-India. The rise of Jamaat represents a strategic and security challenge for India, beyond electoral politics.
For nearly 15 years, Sheikh Hasina’s government acted as a firewall against ISI influence in Bangladesh. She cracked down on cross-border insurgent camps, kept Dhaka aligned with Delhi’s security concerns. Her presence meant Pakistan’s intelligence networks had limited room to manoeuvre through Bangladesh. Now with Hasina out of Dhaka and Awami League banned, the political field is now open to the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami who have been historically close to Islamabad. Jamaat’s resurgence, coupled with open calls for Hindu genocide, signals a fundamentalist tilt. This creates fertile ground for ISI to re-establish networks, whether through political patronage, madrassa funding or covert logistics.
The implications for India are that the 4000 Kms India-Bangladesh borders could again become porous for insurgent groups in the Northeast. Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh weakens India’s moral leverage and creates refugee pressures. Dhaka drifting towards Islamabad undermines India’s eastern flank, complicating its Bay of Bengal Strategy. The core takeaway is that Hasina’s absence removes a strategic guarantee. India now faces a dual challenge – Hard security – preventing ISI-backed networks from re-entering Bangladesh. Soft power – rebuilding civic trust and pluralist narratives in the region are needed to counter fundamentalist drift.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
