Editor,
I am writing to highlight the ongoing difficulties faced by residents of the Jail Road area in accessing LPG cylinders, which has become a matter of serious concern. On March 26, Sunny Gas Agency distributed gas cylinders by calling individual phone numbers, after a gap of more than two months. Such a long delay has already caused considerable hardship to households, forcing many families to struggle with basic cooking needs during this period.
What is even more troubling is the method of distribution adopted. Instead of ensuring doorstep delivery, residents were asked to come to the Jail Road point to collect their cylinders. As a result, elderly individuals, household members, and even school-going children were seen carrying or arranging porters to transport the cylinders. This not only creates inconvenience but also raises serious concerns regarding safety, dignity, and accessibility for the public.
As per LPG distribution norms and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) policy, cylinders are meant to be delivered directly to consumers’ homes. The current practice clearly violates these guidelines and places an unnecessary burden on residents.
It is therefore requested that the concerned authorities take immediate action to ensure strict implementation of IOC policies and restore proper doorstep delivery services. Timely and fair distribution must be ensured so that citizens are not subjected to such avoidable hardships in the future.
Yours etc.,
A Concerned Resident
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Need for Regular and Timely Garbage Collection in Umpling
Editor,
I write to draw attention to the persistent issue of irregular garbage collection in Umpling, which has been causing considerable inconvenience to residents.
I have recently moved to Shillong along with my younger siblings in pursuit of better educational opportunities, and we are currently residing in Umpling. As the eldest, I am responsible for managing the household while supporting my siblings, who are studying in Classes VII and VIII. With only the three of us, balancing academics and daily responsibilities is already quite demanding.
One of the most pressing challenges we face is the absence of a fixed schedule for garbage collection. Not only are the days uncertain, but the garbage truck also arrives at unpredictable hours—sometimes around 11:30 a.m., at other times as late as 1:00 p.m., or even later. This irregularity makes it extremely difficult for us to dispose of household waste, as I leave home by 8:30 a.m. and return only around 5:00 p.m. after my classes and tuitions.
The situation has become so dire that, on several occasions, I have had to carry garbage with me to college, which is both impractical and embarrassing.
Regrettably, this is not an isolated issue. Many residents of Umpling, particularly tenants and working individuals who remain away during the day, face similar difficulties due to the lack of a predictable system for waste collection.
What is even more concerning is that this problem has persisted for a long time without any effective solution. In contrast, certain non-municipal areas have adopted more efficient arrangements through local dorbar shnong, ensuring early morning garbage collection that is far more convenient for residents.
A similar system in Umpling would be greatly beneficial.
Proper waste management is a fundamental civic necessity that directly impacts public health and quality of life. I therefore humbly request the concerned authorities to introduce a fixed schedule or adopt a more organised system, so that residents of Umpling may be spared this daily hardship, that they currently endure.
This letter is not intended to assign blame or to blame any authority, but to sincerely appeal for attention and remedial action. A simple and lasting solution—particularly early and predictable collection—would significantly improve the lives of many residents.
Yours etc.,
Resident of Umpling,
Name withheld on request
Shillong -6
Onus on US and Israel to end the war
Editor,
Apropos of the article “Iran-US War: A Clash of Faith and History” (ST March 26, 2026) by Bhogtoram Mawroh, while it made interesting reading, it is not appropriate “by some sections to cast this as a religious war.” On February 28, 2026 the U.S. and Israeli forces launched nearly 900 strikes in 12 hours under Operation Epic Fury. However, Col Douglas Macgregor said that, “the U.S. started the war with 8000 missiles and the Iranians then retaliated with 45,000 missiles and there is no evidence that they are about to run out.” The war was triggered by U.S. -Israeli pre-emptive strikes, not by a single Iranian offensive. While Iran’s counterattacks escalated the conflict, the initial military action came from Washington and Tel Aviv. Accountability in war demands that they have to take responsibility to end it.
Historically, when powerful states initiate military action, international law and global opinion often argue that they bear a responsibility not only for the conduct of war but also for shaping its endgame. Looking at the Iran-US-Israel conflict through that lens, the war began with the U.S. and Israeli strikes, which means they set the terms of escalation. International norms like those in the UN Charter emphasize that aggressors have obligations to seek peace, protect civilians and repair damage. Because the war disrupts oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the consequences ripple far beyond the region – fuel shortages, economic strain and political instability worldwide. Therefore, ending such a war typically requires the initiators to negotiate ceasefires, engage in diplomacy and accept compromises. Without their participation, peace efforts stall.
While Iran’s counterattacks escalated the conflict, the onus to de-escalate and resolve lies heavily on those who launched the first strikes. That is why many analysts frame this as not just a military struggle but a test of whether initiators will accept responsibility for the humanitarian and geopolitical fallout.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
