Negligence led to baby’s death: Nongrum

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum today sought to know on the action taken against the Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills for granting permission for a fishing competition, which caused a traffic snarl that led to the death of a newborn baby at Pamphyrnai in Ksehkohlong village.

Moving a zero-hour notice in the Assembly, Nongrum said, “What action is being taken against the DC of West Khasi Hills for granting permission to the Fishing Competition without carrying out responsibility to ensure law and order, and against the SP of West Khasi Hills for allowing police personnel to be engaged by the organizers in prize distribution while being absent from traffic management and crowd control.”

He said on September 16, the baby had to be delivered without medical assistance inside a passenger vehicle by the pregnant mother, as their vehicle was unfortunately stuck in a 3-hour long traffic jam caused by double-side parking along the road and the unruly crowd not giving way to traffic during an unregulated fishing competition organised at Pamphyrnai lake, West Khasi Hills.

Nongrum said that the district administration was found guilty of negligence in issuing permission without taking responsibility in maintaining law and order, and District Police personnel seen being engaged in prize distribution while noticeably absent in controlling crowds and vehicles from obstructing the traffic flow on the busy Shillong-Nongstoin highway alongside the fishing competition venue.

The legislator further asked the government whether future events of fishing competitions, not just in West Khasi Hills but in other districts as well, can be put on hold till such time that a proper regulation can be made by legislation, so that no more untoward incidents should occur that put a danger to the health and safety of general public.

“Is the Government apprised of the adverse impact of the Fishing Competition, held almost every Saturday, on the weekly earnings of rural households, who are being addictively attracted to prize money of around 50 lakhs in total for each event, while having to shell out 2000 to 3000 rupees as entry fees … and of which perhaps zero amount goes towards Government revenue,” he said.

Govt to compensate cattle farmers for LSD losses

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: The state government has assured to pay compensation to cattle farmers after over 9,000 cattle have been affected by the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in the State.

Replying in the Assembly today, Minister in-charge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary AL Hek said no compensation has been provided to cattle farmers in the wake of LSD.

However, when opposition VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent M Basaiawmoit sought to know if the government is contemplating providing compensation to cattle farmers, who were compelled to close down their farms due to LSD, Hek said, “Government is going to pay compensation (to cattle farmers).”

He said that over 9,000 cattle were affected by LSD in the State.

Hek also informed that four veterinary hospitals and 125 dispensaries are providing medicines and vaccination to cattle against the disease.

On the other hand, the minister informed that Rs 16,20,000 compensation was provided to farmers during 2020-21 for the deaths of 540 pigs due to African Swine Fever disease.

When Basaiawmoit alleged the swine fever disease happened ever since the government started distributing piglets, which are from outside the state,  Hek said, “We are not a self-sufficient State that is why we have to depend from outside the State.”

Vet hospital to come up in Shillong

Minister in charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Alexander Laloo Hek today said the government will soon set up the first-ever full-fledged veterinary hospital in Shillong.

“A detailed project report is being prepared for the setting up of the veterinary hospital at an estimated cost of Rs 94 crore,” Hek told reporters.

He said the site for the project will be at Upper Shillong and the proposal will be submitted to the Centre for sanctioning of funds.

Meghalaya is yet to have its own full-fledged veterinary hospital despite completing 50 years of statehood.

Hek said that the state is presently equipped with only veterinary dispensaries under the Directorate of Veterinary in East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.

“Therefore, it is high time that we get a full-fledged veterinary hospital which will be a great blessing for the people of the state,” he added.

When asked, Hek said that the DPR will be completed by next month while adding that “we will immediately seek financial support from the Centre in order to speed up the setting up of this very important hospital in the state.”

Further, the minister informed that at present the state has over 17 veterinary mobile units which are functioning on a trial basis.

Stating that the state has over 264 veterinary doctors, Hek said, “Once the state has its own dedicated veterinary hospital, the department will find out ways and means to accommodate new doctors, veterinary assistants and other staff.”

NHRC seeks info on de-addiction centres

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to chief secretaries of all the States and Union Territories (UTs) and the Secretary, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment seeking a report on the de-addiction centres.

The NHRC wanted to know how many de-addiction centres are presently available with the Government Sector, can private entities be allowed to set up de-addiction centres, are there any rules or regulations framed under the NDPS Act to regulate the de-addiction centres as mandated in Section 71 of NDPS Act.

It also asked as to what is the mechanism for providing training to the persons employed in such de-addiction centres; and to specify the mechanisms to regulate private de-addiction centres including charges/fees, employment of staff, counsellor, medical staff, food supplied and overall upkeep of such rehabilitation centres.

This came after the NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report of yet another death of an inmate at a private drug de-addiction centre, which is the third such incident in the recent past.

Reportedly, a 24-year-old man was beaten to death by the people running a De-addiction Centre in Chandramani area of Dehradoon, Uttarakhand on 10th April, 2023.

Prior to this, the Commission had taken suo motu cognizance of two similar incidents at De-addiction Centres in NOIDA and Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and the reports have been sought.

The Commission has observed that all three rehabilitation centres, two in UP and one in Uttarakhand were being run by private entities. It needs serious consideration as to whether the De-addiction Centres can be allowed to be operated by private entities, and if it is so, whether State(s) have ensured sufficient safety measures in place to protect the interest of the inmates with a view to achieving the desired goal.

Notices have also been issued to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttarakhand calling for a detailed report in the instant case of the death of an inmate at Dehradoon Rehab Centre.

The reports should include the present status of the investigation of the case and compensation and relief, if any, provided to the Next of kin of the deceased.

According to the media report, carried on 13th April, 2023, the patients of the Dehradoon De-addiction Centre, have said that their beatings were frequent and routine, as were hunger and lack of hygiene. No doctor or counsellor ever visited the centre.