Editor,
I write to express my concern about a dark underbelly of our city, a network of power and manipulation that corrodes the very fabric of justice, morality and fairness. The recent harrowing incident involving a businessman’s unspeakable crime where he stabbed his wife in-front of his daughter, the brave testimony of the daughter, and the subsequent illegal actions of the police in protecting the accused have laid bare a sinister nexus that demands our immediate attention.
It is deeply disturbing to discover the extent to which individuals exploit their connections within influential circles in Shillong. The accused, Suresh P. Singh, is not just a member and Director of the Shillong Club but also enjoys close ties with high-ranking government officials and police officers.
What is equally concerning is the omission of relevant IPC (Indian Penal Code) sections in this case. Despite the daughter’s explicit account of her father’s attempt to murder her mother there is no reason for the inexplicable absence of the charge of attempt to murder. This blatant disregard for the severity of the crime showcases the lengths to which these influential individuals will go to protect one of their own.
Even more alarming is the calculated manner in which these individuals exploit their positions in social organisations. These individuals hobnob shamelessly with bureaucrats, high-ranking government officials, police officers, and even members of the armed forces and top notch business people, creating a web of corruption and cronyism. These connections, far from fostering genuine camaraderie, are used to shield criminals like Suresh P. Singh.
It is also extremely sad and agonising to hear the victim’s allegations that Suresh Singh has been bringing other women to their matrimonial home and doing all sorts of merrymaking which is completely opposed to the moral fabric of our society. These so-called intellectuals and torch bearers of morality parade around pretending to be part of social organisations while in reality they are pure scum.
It is crucial for us, as responsible citizens, to recognise the magnitude of this crisis. The audacity with which these individuals manipulate our system is not just a stain on our city, but a cancer that has infected our society. We must demand more than just accountability; we must demand reckoning. Government officials who read this must understand that their complacency in the face of such blatant corruption and injustice will not go unnoticed.
Let this be a wake-up call, not just for these high profile people, but for our entire community. We must rally against this pervasive culture of fear, intimidation, and abuse of power. It is time to reclaim our institutions, restore justice, and ensure that the guilty are held accountable. The people of Shillong deserve nothing less.
Batskhem P. Marbaniang
Via e-mail
