Letters to The Editor: Traffic snarls

Through your esteemed daily I would like to draw the attention of the district administration of Kamrup (Metro) to the fact that the daily commuters through Maligaon have been facing the brunt of traffic jams due to the ongoing construction of the flyover. During the Ambubachi Mela, with huge inflow of pilgrims to the Kamakhya Temple, the problem is likely to grow beyond proportion. Previously, prior to the pandemic, the district administration's vigilance had resulted in smooth traffic movement along that route in spite of pilgrims gathering in huge numbers. This time, though the government has announced that Ambubachi Mela will be held on a smaller scale, yet apparently it is not possible to prevent the devotees from coming. Some full-proof planning and preparedness on the part of the district administration is necessary for this most predictable problem. As the traffic snarl in this route takes a heavy toll on the public, especially in the sweltering heat, I would like to request the authorities concerned to take necessary action so that the public doesn't pay the price

Sukanya Bharadwaj,

Uzanbazar.

Private police force

Ever since Mamata Banerjee, also fondly called as Didi by her followers, has taken over charge as the Chief Minister of West Bengal after dethroning the CPM which ruled the state for decades, it appears as if the State police force has become a private police force belonging to ruling TMC under her. The State police has shamefully become a part of her misdeeds, as evidenced by their inaction against some very serious crimes committed by her party goons against their political rivals BJP in particular before and during the last Assembly poll. The situation was so grave that people of majority community had to flee their homeland in fear of election backlashes. Even the Governor's intervention regarding law-and-order situation of the State did not have any impact.

We are all aware of one TMC goon named Garga Chatterjee who had passed some derogatory remarks against Swargadeo Sukhapha, the founder of the Ahom dynasty in Assam who ruled Assam for six hundred years. The six hundred years of Ahom reign was a golden chapter of Assam's history. Accordingly, a FIR was lodged against Garga Chatterjee by Banashree Gogoi in 2020 at the Latasil PS and also the crime branch of the State police had filed a suo moto case against the offender. Due to extreme non-cooperation by the West Bengal police, the Assam Police has failed to nab the culprit from Kolkata. Now very rightly the Gauhati High Court has issued a show-cause notice to Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal along with the Police Commissioner for the non-cooperation in this issue. The failure of Assam Police to nab this culprit in spite of a non-bailable arrest warrant was only because of Didi, who sometime back openly sat in dharna in support of the police commissioner, which is simply unethical.

It is jungle raj in West Bengal, once a cultural capital of India.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Homelessness

Homelessness in India is a growing issue, and to overcome the problem it requires multilateral cooperation. Our country has a population of 1.40 billion people, nonetheless it struggles with maintaining equal distribution of wealth.

75 years have rolled by since India's independence, but sadly there are many homeless people in our country who live on streets, under bridges, on highways or just in any place they can seek refuge. In addition, they are exposed to the vagaries of extreme weather conditions, and they have to use what is at their disposal to protect themselves. Homelessness is one of the worst conditions of existence for a person deprived of security, growth and dignity in life. It is a pity that the far cries of these vagabonds and their fundamental life needs are unheard of by the policy makers of the government. Simple, yet essential daily needs like taking a shower or going out for work, that we take for granted, are big and real concerns for the community of homeless people. We, as a society, must create shelters for these dispossessed lots and provide basic support, and help them fight for their rights and dignity in life.

Ranganathan Sivakumar,

Chennai – 600 091.