Misuse of Government Quarters
Editor,
I write this letter as a concerned citizen regarding the use of the Government quarters reserved for Members of the Legislative Assembly at Inverniel Compound, Kench’s Trace, Shillong.
There is concern among residents that these Government quarters are being used to host parties and late-night social gatherings. If this is indeed occurring, it raises important questions about whether public property is being used in accordance with its intended purpose. Such activities may also cause inconvenience to nearby residents due to noise and disturbance, particularly during late hours.
Government residences are public assets maintained with taxpayers’ money and are intended to support elected representatives in carrying out their official responsibilities. It is therefore important that they are used in a manner that reflects the dignity and responsibility of public office.
I respectfully urge the concerned authorities to examine this matter objectively and clarify whether the use of these quarters for private gatherings complies with the applicable rules and regulations. Transparency and accountability in the use of public property are essential to maintaining public confidence.
I also request The Shillong Times to look into this matter in public interest and, if appropriate, bring greater attention to the issue.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request (A concerned citizen)
Via email
Sohra Speaks: Save Humanity, Not Criminality
Editor,
No other incident in Meghalaya’s history shook the nation like the murder of businessman Raja Raghuvanshi of Indore in Sohra. What was most disturbing was the reaction of citizens from outside the state. They rushed to blame the people of Meghalaya. Even big media houses kept trying to paint Meghalaya in a bad light, and that hurt us deeply.
Kudos to the investigative agencies, including the police. With the sharp precision of Sherlock Holmes, they uncovered the truth behind the tragedy. The findings were so shocking that many who had accused Meghalaya later admitted they were wrong and offered public apologies.
What emerged was totally unbelievable. The newlywed wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, under the pretext of a honeymoon in Meghalaya, allegedly plotted her husband’s murder with the help of her undisclosed lover, Raj Kushwaha, and three hired men. It is terrifying to think that love, meant to be the warmth of trust and sacrifice, was twisted into a weapon of betrayal.
Frankly speaking, to plan and carry out such a horrendous crime against a man who had trusted her completely must have required a heart devoid of humanity. Well, taking revenge on someone who offends you is one thing, but eliminating someone who has given you love and lifelong commitment is another. The two acts are worlds apart, as different as “heaven and hell”!
The saddest part is that Sonam was granted bail on what many considered weak technical grounds. This decision shocked not only the government but also ordinary citizens in Meghalaya and across the country (“Meghalaya moves SC, seeks stay on Sonam’s bail”, ST, July 3). This raises unpleasant questions — if justice can be bent so easily, does it mean that any dreaded criminal can escape punishment by hiring clever advocates? Can lies be embellished to make them look like the real truth? Whether one agrees or not, this is a serious concern before modern jurisprudence. Needless to say, countless ill-fated people are languishing behind bars not because they are guilty of crimes but because they cannot afford smart lawyers, while criminals with fat wallets walk free. One netizen writes on social media — “if Sonam was not guilty, then who was? She had even confessed to the crime in June 2025. Logically, how could a wife bring three persons to the very site of her honeymoon with her newly married husband unless there was a sinister motive? If she was innocent, why did she flee to Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh? Why was not even a single phone call made from Sohra, from Guwahati, or at any point until the police finally caught Sonam in Uttar Pradesh after about two weeks?” Of course, even when a pet goes missing, its owner searches frantically and reports to the police. Please correct me if I am wrong. How then could a wife remain silent when her husband vanished in the middle of their honeymoon?
Yes, this tragedy leaves us with many questions. It has shrouded us in deep apprehension. A worried mother of two asks, “Is our judicial system strong enough to uphold the truth, or does it crumble at flimsy loopholes that let crime go unpunished?” Is the peace in society not completely dependent on the sanctity of the justice system?
Why is there so much public outcry for “justice”? Something is going amiss. People are losing faith in many things these days. One college professor retorts, “The Sohra tragedy is not merely about the death of one man. It is a story of broken trust, of how fragile human relationships can be, and of the cracks in our justice system. If such cases are not dealt with utmost seriousness, society will have to pay the price. Our family peace and social harmony will be completely at stake.”
A chilling copycat incident soon followed in Lohagadwadi, Maharashtra. Siya, a 20‑year‑old girl from Pune, reportedly orchestrated the murder of her fiancé, Ketan Agarwal. She arranged for her lover, Chetan, to push him down a steep gorge. This is how cruelty is spreading its wings so dangerously. One wonders why the younger generation is consumed by distorted thinking and drawn into fearsome acts. Will they ever find peace after chasing ruthless ambition?
Alas, how long can society keep receiving bruises when love, trust, and peace are pushed off the cliff of betrayal? How one wishes that we all could stand together to save humanity and not support criminality!
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Using Teachers for Non-School Duties
Editor,
I fully endorse the views expressed by Shri D. Bhattacharjee in his letter published in your esteemed daily on July 6, titled _”Why Use Teachers for Election-Related Duties?”_
Teaching is a noble and respected profession. Teachers are pioneers in nation-building and render the most important service to humanity. Engaging them in administrative government functions diminishes the dignity of this profession and is detrimental to society.
The frequent deployment of Government school teachers deprives children of their daily classes and undermines the fundamental right to education guaranteed under the Constitution. It is the innocent children of government schools who bear the brunt of this. This may be one of the key reasons why many parents prefer to send their wards to private schools.
Through your esteemed daily, I request the concerned authorities to be more considerate and to prioritize the future of government school children by keeping teachers in classrooms.
Yours etc,
Krishnendu Deb,
Shillong -4
