Editor,
The recent clash between protestors and the district police of East Jaintia Hills at Thangskai in the area where Topcem company had held a public hearing is unfortunate as the protest resulted in grievous injuries to the people as well as violation of individual rights and constitutional norms.
To hear the UDP minister say that the incident at Thangskai where a woman was beaten up by the police is an isolated incident is horrendous. The police action violates the rules laid down for mob control especially when handling women protestors. What are women police personnel for in such cases? What will the Meghalaya State Women Commission do in this regard or shall we presume it to be another puppet?
Secondly, the clash near the DC office between the police and HITO members seems pretty funny akin to school days where we would fight for red, blue, green, even black houses as well. It seems both were haggling just for the colour of a shirt worn leading to commotion and failure in enforcing the law.
To ask business establishments to shut down is completely unacceptable. There can never be peace in a civilised society when there are people who themselves are not keen to understand the meaning of equal responsibility and sharing of social security.
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong
