Editor,
Patricia Mukhim is right when she states that Environment Day is nothing more than a ritual in Meghalaya. She is correct in calling June 5 a day when Govt. expresses concern for the environment by offering lip service and nothing more. It won’t be wrong to say that in the present scenario, the Dept of Environment and Forests exists only to ensure the systematic exploitation of the environment by the rich and powerful in exchange for fat commissions. The mining lobby has bought out the Govt and are driving this state to the brink of environmental disaster. Poisoned rivers, barren hills and polluted lakes are left to welcome World Environment Day in our state. And nobody cares.
Nowhere is the destruction more apparent than in the Jaintia Hills where rich miners get away with breaking every rule. They even dare to cock a snook at the NCPCR by openly employing child labour in the dangerous rat-hole mines! There exists enough photographic and videographic evidence on the Internet showing under-aged children working in the dangerous coal pits but nobody here wants to acknowledge this fact. Nobody in Meghalaya is powerful enough to stop these devilish miners, including the Chief Minister. That is a fact. How can he, when he has a bunch of coal traders in his Govt. calling the shots from the inside? It is an open secret that Govt. officials posted in Jaintia Hills who play ball with the coal traders return home as crore-patis. The corruption is so deep that all police and enforcement officials are hand in glove with them. Local politicians and NGOs are not bothered about the environment but only bothered about filling their own pockets in these areas. It will take nothing short of a miracle to save our environment for our children and grandchildren.
Yours etc.,
James Pariat
Shillong
Ampati arrest and CSWO shenanigans
Editor,
Can anybody apprise the public why CSWO wants the suspension orders of only SI P. Lynshiang to be revoked and not DSP Chhetry or the other 3 Garo constables? CSWO must not be seen to be a partisan organisation and be civil too if they want to be taken seriously. Already the civil society movement in Meghalaya has taken a big hit because of feuds between different entities with same acronyms each one proclaiming to be the real CSWO (The only thing left to be announced is: “WE have no other branch.”) Also their interference in affairs they have no expertise in is a nuisance the State can do without. Any movement worth its salt has to be seen to be mature and not indulge in Kangaroo courts or they will be jumping or hopping from one scenario to another without making any impact.
Yours etc.,
Nesfield Sangma
Admission Season – points to ponder.
Editor,
After the declaration of school results and the consequent admission fever, students and parents are running from pillar to post. Considering that the most sought after institutes are centered around one area (Laitumkhrah), the usual sea of fresh students and their parents from across districts and some from beyond our boundaries throng the morning rush hour causing complete mayhem in the vicinity, until noon. From office goers, to hospital visitors, to emergency services to admission seekers, all are choked in the suffocated roads!
With the craze for education in these “prestigious” institutes increasing every year, it is high time the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills takes a walk around the area and witness the commotion prevalent during this season. His senior, NK Rustomji would have solved the problem creatively.
My humble request to the DC EKH is to collaborate with the institutional heads in devising a system, in line with the annual Edu-Fest, wherein all schools and colleges of Shillong city and its adjoining areas can converge and set up temporary counters at some central area (preferably the Polo grounds) and conduct their “spot” admissions. This would reduce the hassle of admission hunting and the trauma of missing out on a ‘prestigious’ admission.
Yours etc.,
Bankyntiewlang Blah,
Via email
The sinking ship
Editor,
The recent incident of rape at Ampati has shocked the people. They have lost faith in the sincerity of the Police Department. This is not the first case of rape by police personnel. A similar case involving Sub-Inspector S.N. Roy was also sought to be hushed up. The Police should have taken exemplary action against Roy as a warning to all wrongdoers. Had that happened then Narul Islam might have pondered awhile before committing such a heinous crime. Instead, SN Roy was reinstated and even promoted, thereby making him an example to other fellow colleagues that rape is not a big deal. After some drama when everything cools down, the offenders are promoted. And what can one say about other police personnel, who, instead of arresting the criminal kept him in their quarter? Where will people turn to when law keepers become law breakers? It is high time some drastic action is taken to prevent such atrocities in the State.
Yours etc.,
Rahul Momin,
Tura
