The school reopened for the 2026 academic session in mid-February. However, I am concerned and disturbed to learn from my son, who studies in Class VII A, that for the last three weeks, there has been no teacher to impart Mathematics lessons. After enquiry, I came to learn that the school suffers from shortage of teachers as vacant positions were not filled. This is a serious matter. How can the school management be so casual and irresponsible as to deprive students of the right to learn after the parents have paid for them? The school is not run on a charity basis. The monthly tuition fee and other charges for each student is more than Rupees 3000.
We admitted our children with the hope that the school would provide the best teaching and learning environment according to the fees we pay. But our trust in the school is being betrayed. Though the school is run in the name of the Police Wives' Welfare Association for Care (POWAC), it is the officers from the Meghalaya Police Department who actually run the show. The Director General of Police (DGP) is the Chief Patron of the school. The school's Administrator is also a senior police officer who has the greatest, if not the total say in the school's overall management. Therefore, the prevailing situation in the school directly reflects a negative image of the Police Department.
Also, I would like to state that the school needs to upgrade its infrastructure and hygiene for the welfare of the students. On a positive note, I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the principal and the teaching and non-teaching staff in the school for providing the best services in spite of many shortcomings, including heavy workload. What stands out in the school is the independent learning skills that the teachers are able to impart to the students.
Yours etc,
Dr. Batskhem Myrboh
Shillong-14

Are Rented Home Seekers Surveying Our Homes?

Editor,
Through the columns your esteemed newspaper, I wish to raise a matter of concern for residents in several localities over a suspicious pattern of individuals claiming to search for rental houses while appearing to gather personal information about households instead. During these visits they often ask detailed questions about the household, such as how many people live in the house, whether men or women stay there, the number of children, and who remains at home during the day.
In some cases, they claim to represent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) conducting surveys but fail to produce proper identification. However, when residents ask for proper identification or official documents, these individuals either fail to provide valid credentials or leave quickly without explanation. Residents are encouraged to immediately contact local community leaders, local authorities or police if anything appears suspicious.
Such incidents may appear minor, but collecting information about households can potentially be misused for criminal activities such as theft, burglary or targeted scams. Information about family members, particularly the presence of elderly people, women, or children, could make certain households vulnerable. In an age where safety and privacy are increasingly fragile, the act of gathering household details can easily become a blueprint for exploitation. Criminal networks often rely on exactly this type of information to identify vulnerable households.
Such incidents may appear minor at first glance. But they raise an important and uncomfortable question: Who is collecting this information, and for what purpose?
While these inquiries may seem harmless, such information could potentially be misused. Community vigilance and timely action can help prevent potential misuse of such deceptive tactics and practices.
Residents are therefore urged to remain cautious and avoid sharing personal details with strangers without verifying their identity. At the same time, it is important for the concerned authorities to take note of these reports and increase public awareness and monitoring in residential areas. Security does not always come with loud alarms or dramatic events. Sometimes it begins with small, quiet questions asked at our front doors.
The responsibility now lies with both citizens and authorities to ensure that curiosity about renting a house does not become a convenient disguise for something far more troubling. This is therefore a strong appeal to the concerned authorities including local police, municipal bodies, and district administration to investigate such activities and issue public advisories if necessary.
Yours etc,
Augusten Blah
Shillong -2

When Everyday Technology Becomes a Tool of War

Editor,
In the last few days, the Middle East has been passing through a period of serious tension and uncertainty. Relations between some countries in that region have become strained, and news of missile attacks and military actions is appearing frequently in the media. Along with these developments, another worrying trend has come to light which shows how modern conflicts are changing.
A recent report by the cyber security agency Check Point Research, a cyber security research team, says that cyber groups believed to be linked to Iran have been trying to hack internet-connected CCTV and IP cameras in several countries of the Middle East. These attempts increased sharply around 28 February when military tension in the region was also rising. The report says that cameras connected to the internet in countries such as Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Cyprus were scanned and targeted. Experts believe that the purpose of hacking these cameras may not only be for spying but also helping military operations.
If someone gets access to the live video of these cameras, they can watch what is happening in an area before an attack. After a missile or drone strike, the same cameras can show how much damage has been caused. In military language this is called 'Battle Damage Assessment'.
Today millions of CCTV cameras are installed in homes, offices, markets and public places across the world. Most of them are connected to the internet so that people can watch the footage from their phones or computers. But this convenience, I feel, also makes us vulnerable. Cyber attackers usually search the internet for cameras that are poorly protected. They take advantage of known security weaknesses in the system. Popular surveillance brands such as
Hikvision and Dahua were among those that researchers say were targeted because of some known security flaws. Once hackers enter the system, they can watch the live video and observe activities on the ground. Hikvision and Dahua Technology are companies that manufacture CCTV cameras and video-surveillance equipments.
The report also mentions that the attackers tried to hide their identity by using VPN services and virtual private servers so that their real location could not be traced easily. All this shows how the nature of conflict is changing in today's world. Earlier wars were fought mainly with soldiers, tanks and weapons. Now digital technology and cyber networks are also becoming part of the battlefield. Devices that are meant to keep people safe can sometimes be turned into tools for gathering information during conflicts. This should be a wake-up call for everyone. Governments need stronger cyber security rules, companies that manufacture such devices must build better security systems, and ordinary users should also take simple precautions like changing default passwords and updating their software regularly.
Technology has made life easier for us in many ways. But if we do not use it carefully and keep it secure, the same technology can also create new risks.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email