Editor,
It was highly amusing to read the letters of Nathaniel Dkhar and Robert Nongkynrih in these columns, who interestingly have taken it upon themselves to be in the seat of judgement without proper information. As their allegations and insinuations are detrimental to the image of the United Democratic Party and cause, I am left with no alternative but to set the record straight. Firstly, I have two important words for the both, “Please check your facts “.
It is true that as a Party we were supportive of the need to have a check and balance mechanism, appropriate with the times, for the purpose of maintaining the sound demographics of the state and also proposed a modified ILP. That the support was full, half, quarter or a fraction has been seen and noted by the public and so there is nothing further to say. As for the legality of the demand to remove the SDO, your paper’s news item says it all. Hence I would like to caution Nathaniel of future allegations. On a serious note, I would like Nathaniel to substantiate his tall claims about the Party’s antecedents and character, failing which we as a Party will be forced to seek appropriate redressal.
As for Robert, whose allegations have been directed at our Party President, I would like to ask him, whose interest is he propagating? And who gains when non Indians are given the right to vote in this country of ours, as he has portrayed this entire episode as per his own shady perception and has not even come close to highlighting facts. For the record, let it be known that Dr. Donkupar Roy, in his capacity as an MLA, had only intervened to keep matters under control and not to allow the situation to spiral into a law and order problem. The ground reality in the border areas are contrary to the perceptions held by Nathaniel and Robert. UDP does have a number of non-Khasi voters not only in the border belts, but across the state, and so this tag of being racist tantamounts to character assassination with the intention to malign the image of the Party. We have two MLAs who represent mixed population constituencies. It is also a fact, that Dr Donkupar Roy had stated in the meeting, that all citizens of the country should be given the right to vote, but non Indians cannot be extended the same right. This will not be tolerated and future wild allegations will be taken up as per law.
It has been widely reported as to how the SDO in question had unilaterally exercised his power without taking into confidence the traditional institutions when enrolling voters at Amralem and subsequently at Sohra. In spite of the direction of the District Election Officers that enrolment is to be carried out at the booth level/village level, there were queues of non-Khasi people of questionable identity, outside his office for the very same purpose. The interesting fact is that all of them are way beyond 18 years of age and even their citizenship is doubtful. Are we to remain silent and let this so called honest officer swarm up our state with dubious voters who will one day be responsible for turning Meghalaya into another Tripura? If the request of Dr. Donkupar Roy has been entertained by the State’s Chief Secretary, who is Robert to call Dr Donkupar Roy a bully and the Chief Secretary as timid, characterless and lacking in wisdom? It is a fact that migrants from across the border have infiltrated the border areas and are always devising ways and means to obtain EPICs for safe habitation which goes against the Constitution of the country. If it is a crime to protect one’s own people, then let both Nathaniel and Robert approach any court of law and have us declared as criminals, we would proudly acclaim the title.
Yours etc.,
A.F.Dkhar
General Secretary,
UDP-Meghalaya
No space for pedestrians
Editor,
Through your esteemed paper I wish to express my deep concern for the pedestrians especially school going children of 3rd Mile, Upper Shillong junction as the footpath in this area is being used by vendors to carry out their transactions. This area and its neighbourhood have the largest number of educational institutions and it is under the jurisdiction of the Land Revenue Department. I therefore, request the concerned authority to look into the matter with all sincerity and to nip in the bud all illegal activities so that there is space for pedestrians to walk on safely as well as for the cleanliness of the area.
Yours etc.,
Kosini Hynniewta
3rd Mile, Upper Shillong
We want some positive news!
Editor,
A week has gone by, days pass by our lives. There is news of high rise buildings under the ‘scanner’; arrest of a Sordar and subsequent allegations of him playing foul, in the PDS scheme; transfer of an ‘honest’ IAS officer and the horror that surrounds the tragedy in Nepal. The ray of good news that came out was the clarification on the uranium mining issue by the DAE and the NERPAP drive by the honourable ECI. We are living in very weird times and the scheme of events unfolding before us, make us feel as if the world is turning on its own head. Or is it moving in the direction that we lead it. I hope we can listen and contemplate on the teachings of the ‘enlightened ones’ and learn to show love, even in the slightest form and ‘try’ to live the right way.
Yours etc.,
S Khrawbok Sawian,
Via email
