Editor,
I wish to draw your attention to a serious matter concerning the recent circulation of the names and signatures of the members of the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church(Synod Sepngi) by a rebellious group that has dissociated itself from the Presbyterian denomination and does not belong to any Synod till date.
It has come to my notice that this group has publicly displayed and circulated the names and signatures of the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church members on the notice board and on their WhatsApp, accompanied by defamatory remarks. This act amounts to a breach of confidentiality, falling under section 72 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 as well as relevant provision of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
The unauthorized sharing of signatures poses a grave security risk as such information can be misused for fraudulent purposes. To illustrate this – consider a situation where a member who is in the list loses a cheque book; an ill- intentioned person could easily forge the signature by referring to the circulated list, leading to serious theft under Section 66C of the IT Act.
Through this letter, I strongly urge the members of the said rebellious group to refrain from engaging in such irresponsible and unethical behaviour in the future. Before sharing or publishing any personal information of individuals they should seek proper legal guidance ,as such actions may expose them to legal consequences under the relevant laws of the country.
Yours etc.,
Tony Anderson,
Via email
Internet Curfew in Garo Hills
Editor,
The recent imposition of a 48-hour internet suspension and a 24-hour curfew in West Garo Hills serves as a grim reminder of our communication vulnerability. While the state government’s intent is to curb misinformation, the collateral damage is a total information vacuum for the common citizen. In times of civil unrest or “internet curfews”, the digital divide becomes a dangerous chasm. This is exactly why the shutdown of The North Eastern Service (NES) Of Akashvani on shortwave radio was a strategic error.
As I have argued in these columns before, shortwave radio is “un-killable” by local administrative orders. It does not require a tower in the immediate vicinity or a data packet, it only requires a simple radio receiver and a signal from a distant radio transmitter. If NES were still active on shortwave radio, residents in the Garo Hills, even those in the most remote “shadow zones” where FM radio signals cannot reach, would still have access to verified news and official instructions, regardless of whether their mobile data was cut off.
The passing of our Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), the late Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, has left a void in this advocacy, but the situation in West Garo Hills proves that his support for regional shortwave radio was not just about nostalgia, it was about emergency resilience. I urge Prasar Bharati and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to look at the silence in Garo Hills today and realise that “Digital India” must be backed by “Analogue Resilience”. It is time to restore regional Akashvani shortwave radio transmitters before the next crisis leaves us in the dark again.
Yours etc.,
Hamemanbha Lyngdoh Lawai,
Via email
The Silent Invasion; Illegal Immigration & Threat to Indigenous Autonomy
Editor,
For decades, the misty hills of Meghalaya have been more than just a geographical marvel; they have been a constitutional sanctuary for the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo people. Under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, these lands were designated as “Autonomous,” ensuring that the indigenous tribes would remain the masters of their own destiny. However, today, a “Silent Invasion” is unfolding—one that threatens to turn the 6th Schedule into a hollow shell and the indigenous people into a minority in their own ancestral home.
Unlike a traditional conflict, this invasion does not happen overnight. It is a slow, steady demographic shift driven by unchecked illegal immigration across porous borders. From the plain belts of the Garo Hills to the mining hubs of Jaintia and the urban corridors of the Khasi Hills, the presence of illegal settlers is no longer a mere suspicion; it is a visible reality. This influx is not just an administrative failure; it is a direct assault on Indigenous Autonomy.
The primary fuel for this silent invasion is political greed. For years, certain politicians have viewed illegal immigrants not as a threat to national security, but as a loyal “vote bank.” By providing administrative protection and including these settlers in electoral rolls, politicians trade the long-term survival of the tribal community for a five-year term in power.
When a politician protects an illegal settler for a vote, they are effectively selling a piece of the 6th Schedule. This “vote-bank” culture has given outsiders the “guts” to challenge tribal authority, as seen in recent clashes in Garo
The Autonomous District Councils (KHADC, JHADC, and GHADC) were created to protect tribal land, language, and customary laws. They are not mere municipalities. The future of Meghalaya depends on the balance between modern administrative needs and the preservation of ancestral traditions. Protecting the autonomy of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo people involves more than just policy; it requires a collective respect for the unique cultural landscape of the region. By upholding the spirit of the Sixth Schedule and ensuring that local institutions remain focused on tribal welfare, the state can address demographic concerns through peaceful, constitutional means.
Ensuring that indigenous voices remain central to the decision-making processes in their traditional lands is the most effective way to honour the social and historical commitments made to the tribal communities of the Northeast.
Yours etc.,
H.Umdor,
Shillong-8
