Editor, Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the current state of governance under the MDA government.

Today, many citizens feel that our leaders have become "deaf and blind" to the actual cries of the people. It appears that the government has lost sight of what the word "Minister" truly signifies.
A Minister is not elected merely to act as a guardian of their own specific constituency or to focus on personal benefits. They are sworn in to oversee the entire state and to safeguard the welfare of every citizen from the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills alike. Unfortunately, we see a trend where leaders are more interested in their own political survival than in resolving the long-standing issues of the common man.
From the stagnation in education and health to the inability to resolve basic administrative irregularities, the government's performance has been lackluster. If the MDA government does not have the guts or the political will to deliver what the people of Meghalaya actually want-such as transparency, economic fairness, and security-then they must introspect on their right to hold office. In a democracy, the chair belongs to the people. If the current leadership cannot resolve even "small" issues that affect our daily lives, what is the point of them occupying these high positions?
It is better to step back and allow those who are truly capable and willing to serve the state to take the lead. We need leaders who can hear our voices and see our struggles, not "sahibs" who only look after their own.
Yours etc.,
Hilarius Umdor,
Shillong-8

Setting the Record Straight While Welcoming the Call for Peace

Editor,
Apropos of the news item Kuki Christian Leadership Forum (KCLF) appeals for peace, unity among hill tribes of Manipur (ST April 29, 2026) we share the KCLF's concern over violence and its call to reject rumours and misinformation. Any sincere voice for peace is welcome. But the statement creates a false symmetry that does injustice to the facts. Truth must be the foundation of peace.
1. The attacks are one-sided, and the perpetrators identifiable.
The Tangkhul villages of Litan, Leingangching, Shikiphung, Thoyee, Sinakeithei and Ringui have been repeatedly targeted with armed assaults, ambushes and sniper fire - some for over two months, others more recently. On National Highway 202 near TM Kasom, two Tangkhul civilians were killed by Kuki militants. These are not communal clashes; they are military-style raids by forces that do not represent ordinary Kuki villagers. The attackers fall overwhelmingly into two groups: Kuki militant outfits under the SoO agreement with the Government of India, and heavily armed insurgents crossing from Myanmar. These forces, not Tangkhul civilians, have brought death, arson and terror.
2. Investigations must focus on the right suspects.
Expedited investigations must probe SoO-signatory cadres who exploit the ceasefire to wage war on the Tangkhul community, as well as the identity, supply lines and local facilitators of Myanmar-based terrorist groups. Only accountability will deter further violence.
3. The Tangkhul community has never attacked Kuki villages.
Tangkhul villages or civil bodies have never launched attacks on Kuki habitations. Every Tangkhul response has been solely in defence of their own villages, never an act of aggression. In contrast, when the Meitei-Kuki conflict erupted in 2023, it was the Tangkhuls who quietly provided safe passage and shelter to fleeing Kukis - a gesture of humanity and Christian duty. To now portray Tangkhuls as part of a mutual conflagration, when they have absorbed blows while extending a helping hand, is deeply misleading.
4. Peace appeals must address the armed groups and their backers.
The KCLF appeal, however well-intentioned, must not be aimed only at the general public. It should be directed with unambiguous force at the SoO armed cadres violating the truce and at the terrorist formations entering from Burma. Any peace-seeking body should publicly demand these groups lay down their arms, halt infiltrations, and stop attacking Tangkhul villages immediately. A call for reconciliation that does not name and restrain the aggressor merely asks the victim to remain quiet while the house burns.
5. The weaponization of social media must be stopped.
While villages face physical attacks, a parallel digital assault is underway. Falsified social media posts - fabricated videos, manipulated images, invented testimonies - are being circulated to paint Tangkhul villages as aggressors. These are deliberate provocations meant to inflame violence and invert victim and perpetrator. The KCLF rightly rejects misinformation; we call on them and all people of conscience to publicly identify, condemn, and isolate those spreading such dangerous falsehoods. Truth cannot be sacrificed for political or communal ends.
6. We remain committed to peace, but not to an unequal peace.
The Tangkhul community remains committed to dialogue and restraint, and will continue to protect the innocent regardless of community. But restraint is not weakness, and patience must not be mistaken for acceptance of a false narrative. The violence must stop, and it must stop on the side from which it is coming.
Peace will arrive not when the victims fall silent, but when the guns pointed at them are finally removed.
Yours etc.,
Names withheld on request,
Via email

Preserving Shillong's Local Music Spaces and Cultural Identity

Editor,
Through your esteemed newspaper, I wish to highlight a quieter yet deeply significant concern affecting the cultural fabric of Shillong-the gradual decline of small, independent music spaces that once defined the city's identity.
Shillong has long been celebrated as India's "Rock Capital," a title earned not merely through large festivals but through its vibrant grassroots music scene. Small cafés, open-mic venues, and community stages have historically provided young and aspiring musicians a platform to perform, experiment, and grow. However, in recent years, many such spaces have either shut down or shifted away from hosting live performances due to rising operational costs, licensing challenges, and changing commercial priorities.
This quiet erosion risks turning a once organically rich music culture into a more commercialized and less accessible one, where only established acts find space to perform. Emerging artists, who form the backbone of any evolving cultural scene, are left with limited opportunities to showcase their talent.
I humbly urge the concerned authorities and cultural bodies to recognize and support these small music venues-perhaps through simplified licensing, cultural grants, or designated community performance spaces. Preserving these platforms is not just about entertainment; it is about safeguarding the creative spirit and identity of Shillong.
I hope this issue receives thoughtful attention from both policymakers and citizens alike.
Yours etc.,
Jasule Sangtam
Shillong