Editor,
I write to express concern regarding a social media post circulating under the banner “ANTOR – U Sangot Kyrsiew Ri,” wherein it has been alleged that the Facebook account “Ri Pnar Student’s Union” was created and operated by a teacher from a reputed college in Shillong, coupled with a statement that the individual’s identity would soon be exposed.
Such a serious allegation warrants careful scrutiny and verification before being placed in the public domain. In an era where information spreads instantaneously through social media, unverified claims can cause significant and irreversible harm to a person’s reputation, professional career, and personal well-being.
The ownership and operation of a Facebook account are matters that can only be conclusively established through technical evidence, platform records, and, where necessary, investigation by competent authorities. Merely assuming or alleging that a particular individual is behind an account without substantiated evidence risks misleading the public and undermining the principles of fairness and due process.
The statement that a teacher created the Facebook account “Ri Pnar Student’s Union” and the accompanying threat to expose the individual’s identity raise important questions. Has the claim been independently verified? Has the concerned person been given an opportunity to respond? What evidence exists to support the allegation? These questions ought to be addressed before any public accusation is made.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that while U Sangot Kyrsiew Ri has publicly expressed its intention to expose the identity of the person allegedly operating the Facebook account “Ri Pnar Student’s Union,” the identity of the individuals administering or operating the U Sangot Kyrsiew Ri platform itself is not publicly disclosed. This raises an important question of consistency and fairness. If anonymity is considered objectionable in one instance, the same standard should apply uniformly to all parties. Public accountability should not be selective. Before seeking to reveal the identity of others, it would be appropriate for those making such demands to themselves demonstrate transparency and accountability regarding their own identity and authority to make such allegations.
It is a fundamental principle of justice that an individual should not be subjected to public condemnation based on suspicion, conjecture, or unverified information. The presumption of innocence and the right to reputation are recognised legal and constitutional principles. Publicly identifying or threatening to identify an individual without adequate proof may expose the accuser to allegations of defamation and could potentially result in unnecessary harm to an innocent person.
Teachers occupy positions within society. Any accusation against them must therefore be approached with the highest degree of responsibility, objectivity, and respect for due process. If there is credible evidence linking any individual to the account in question, the matter should be referred to the appropriate authorities for investigation rather than being tried in the court of public opinion.
I therefore respectfully urge U Sangot Kyrsiew Ri to verify all facts thoroughly before issuing such statements and to refrain from making public assertions that may adversely affect the reputation of an individual without conclusive evidence. Responsible public discourse requires accuracy, fairness, and accountability from all stakeholders.
The pursuit of truth is best served not by speculation or public threats of exposure, but by evidence, due process, and respect for the rule of law.
Yours etc.,
Mantre Hame Dkhar,
Via email
World Environment Day: Beyond Plantation Drives and Seminars
Editor,
As the world observed World Environment Day on June 5, it is an appropriate time to reflect honestly on the state of our environment and the gap between our promises and our actions. Every year June 5 we witness plantation drives, awareness rallies, seminars, speeches, and social media campaigns. Saplings are planted, photographs are taken, and commitments are made to protect nature. For a day, environmental conservation becomes everyone’s concern. Yet one question remains unanswered: What happens during the remaining 364 days of the year?
Meghalaya, often celebrated as one of the greenest states in India, is not immune to environmental degradation. While our state continues to enjoy rich biodiversity, several warning signs are becoming increasingly visible. Unscientific mining practices in certain areas have affected rivers and streams. Rapid urbanization, improper waste disposal, plastic pollution, and shrinking water sources are becoming major concerns. Seasonal water shortages in parts of Shillong, Tura and other urban centres indicate that even a state blessed with abundant rainfall cannot take its water resources for granted.
The situation is equally worrying in our forests. While Meghalaya retains substantial forest cover, environmental experts have repeatedly pointed out that forest quality and biodiversity are under pressure from encroachment, fragmentation, forest fires, shifting cultivation practices in some areas, and developmental activities. The loss of mature trees not only affects wildlife but also reduces the land’s ability to conserve water and prevent soil erosion.
Across India, the picture is even more alarming. Reports indicate significant loss of tree cover over the past two decades. Hundreds of polluted river stretches continue to exist despite numerous clean-up programmes. Excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides has degraded soil health and contaminated water sources. Climate change is further intensifying floods, droughts, landslides, and extreme weather events.
What is particularly disappointing is that environmental concern often ends with seminars and celebrations. Resolutions are passed, certificates are distributed, and photographs are published. Yet the desired results remain elusive.
Planting a sapling is easy. Protecting it from grazing animals, watering it during dry periods, and ensuring its survival for the next few years is far more difficult. The success of a plantation drive should not be measured by the number of saplings planted but by the number of trees that survive and grow. As citizens, we need not wait for governments, institutions, or large organizations to act first. Environmental conservation can begin from our own doorstep and within our own locality. Proper waste management, protection of water sources, reduction in plastic use, care for planted saplings, and community participation can collectively bring about meaningful change.
Nature does not need more speeches. It needs sincere action. As we celebrate World Environment Day, let us ask ourselves a simple question: When the next Environment Day arrives, will the saplings planted this year still be alive? The answer to that question may reveal how serious we truly are about protecting our environment.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email
