Editor,
The prevailing situation in Shillong has turned from bad to worse. The incident where a non tribal boy had been burned by a petrol bomb hurled at a shop is inhuman and a criminal act. What are they trying to show by harming the non tribals in Shillong? Do they want to stop influx or to drive out all non- tribals away from Shillong? This is India, a free country where all its citizens can reside anywhere in India. How would these groups feel if people from Meghalaya are tortured the same way in other states? Implementing ILP is not practical or logical. They need to understand this. The Government has to take drastic steps against these people who are damaging public property and harming the public.
Yours etc.,
Eva Syiem
Shillong-14
The Motphran incident
Editor,
The inhuman act of burning alive the shop owner at Motphran is by far the most barbaric and nasty act this land has ever seen. The policies of the pro- ILP groups has now impinged on the right to life. One needs to ask them as to why they are so against the non- indigenous people? Is it just because the same “non indigenous” central government allots thousands of crores, special rights, exemption of taxes, etc in their favour? Is it because the same non-indigenous business community is a major contributor to the revenue generated in the state of which everyone is a beneficiary. Are they not aware that thousands of indigenous students, professionals, tourists and patients are whole heartedly welcomed throughout India every year without any discrimination?
And why just blame the pro- ILP groups. Can the State Government escape from the fact that they have totally failed in enforcing strict law and order in the State? Has there been one incident lately where the perpetrators of petrol bomb cases have been nabbed and punished to give them a strong message? Would they have acted similarly had the victim been an indigenous person? It’s a pity that we are living in the same Indian nation which has been the home for millions of the so called “non-indigenous” people and today some Indians are reduced to this situation in one of its very own states.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Relax No Parking rules
Editor,
In light of Puja celebrations, we the public would be grateful if “no parking” restrictions in Laitumkhrah from Taxi Stand to Beat House are relaxed during the daytime so that people are able to carry out Puja shopping in peace. The road is wide enough to enable parking without disrupting traffic flow in both directions. This is an appeal to the SP (Traffic) to kindly help the people during the busy festive season.
Yours etc.,
Debashish Majumder
Shillong 14
Proposed Tenancy Act
Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor by M Jyrwa, I thank him for his alertness that the inclusion of labour licenses, trade licenses and sworn affidavits before the Magistrate is sheer harassment for the landlord as well as the tenant. I strongly support that the above should not be forced upon the people of the State. A law should be framed in a manner that it does not harass the landlord and tenant which means the public of the State. I fully agree with him that the inclusion of the above will breed corruption at various levels without helping the State and its people. A traditional practice is already in place to verify the genuineness of a tenant such as: proof of identity in the form of a passport, driving license, EPIC, PAN Card or Ration Card, details of family members with pictures of each member, to be furnished by the tenant along with proof of identity, to the Rangbah Dong of the Shnong who will scrutinise the same and obtain the seal of approval from the Rangbah Shnong so as to enable the tenant to rent a house within the Shnong. Therefore in my opinion there is no need for a ‘Tenancy Bill’ . The Government should have faith and trust in the Dorbar Shnong and the Rangbah Shnong.
So far as the system of rationalisation of rents is concerned , I disagree with Jyrwa. The Government cannot decide the price of tomato, let alone onions of which our friend must be aware of. In the same way petrol & diesel prices influence the markets. All commodities including house for rent also fall in the same criteria. The Government does not help repair the house and imagine the sky-rocketing price of construction and building materials which the owner has to squeeze-dry from his pocket to maintain the house. As such the Government should have no role in determining the house-rent.
Yours etc.,
Augustine Pyngrope,
Via email
