3rd Meghalaya Farmers’ Parliament to be held on December

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Dec 2: The Meghalaya Farmers’ Parliament is set to convene its third session on December 4th and 5th, 2023, coinciding with the celebration of Meghalaya Farmers’ Day at the prestigious State Convention Centre in Shillong.

Organized by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in collaboration with Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBDA) and Hills Farmers’ Union (HFU), this annual event has evolved into a pivotal celebration, acknowledging the relentless efforts and invaluable contributions of local farmers to the agricultural landscape.

Distinguished guests at the upcoming 3rd Meghalaya Farmers’ Parliament include Chief

Minister Conrad K Sangma, who will grace the event as Chief Guest, alongside A. L. Hek, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, and Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya.

“As we gather for the Meghalaya Farmers’ Parliament and Farmers’ Day, it’s a tribute to the unyielding spirit of our farmers. Their dedication transforms fields into stories of resilience and innovation. In this symposium, we envision a future where sustainable practices and eco-friendly approaches pave the way for agricultural excellence. Let us cultivate not just crops but a legacy of ingenuity and prosperity. Together, we celebrate the farmers who embody the essence of Meghalaya’s agricultural landscape with unwavering commitment and a vision for a bountiful tomorrow,” said Dr Vijay Kumar D, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya.

The inaugural Farmers’ Parliament was held on December 4, 2018, in Shillong, marking a collaboration between the Agriculture Department, Government of Meghalaya, Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA), Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE), and the Hills Farmers’ Union (HFU).

Following the success of its maiden edition, the second Farmers’ Parliament took place on December 10, 2019, in Tura, designating the year 2020 as the “Year of the Farmers”, with December 4th earmarked for the annual celebration of Meghalaya Farmers’ Day.

The Meghalaya Farmers’ Parliament and Farmers’ Day event serves as a critical platform for unity, appreciating those who tirelessly toil to ensure food security and prosperity for the region. The program underscores the significance of community-driven initiatives and grassroots engagement. Renowned agricultural experts and policymakers will participate in the dialogue, offering valuable insights to address the evolving needs of the farming community.

The event will feature presentations, demonstrations, and networking sessions, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to enhance their agricultural endeavours.

The Meghalaya Farmers’ Parliament remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture while preserving traditional farming methods and embracing innovative approaches to address the ever-changing landscape of the agricultural sector.

Tynsong debunks report of assault on church leaders

Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said there has been no physical attack on the two church leaders from Shillong in Bihar and that they are safely returning to the state.

Speaking to media persons, Tynsong said immediately after receiving information about the incident at Patna, where Rev RG Laloo and church elder T Nongkhlaw were on a mission field visit and that some kind of argument had taken place, he had instructed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to communicate with the counterpart in Bihar to know what happened and to ensure the safety of the two church leaders.

He said immediate action was taken after information was received that the church leaders were being beaten up by a mob in Patna.

“But I am telling you nothing happened like that as per the information received and everything is fine. Ultimately all the groups went to the police station. Our intervention reached also at that point in time to the police station and now that case has been closed and it has been resolved among those people with the pastor and church elder,” Tynsong said.

The Deputy Chief Minister informed that an FIR has been filed by the two church leaders even as he reiterated that there has been no physical attack on them and that it was just a heated argument.

He informed that security has been given to the two church leaders at the airport and they are returning to the state tonight.

Expressing concern over the negative news on the incident being spread in social media, Tynsong said this may lead to communal tension in the state especially in Shillong City.

“Therefore, I would like to request all those concerned to kindly refrain from (spreading false news on social media) as the government has taken serious note of the incident. I have already spoken to the office of the chief minister and deputy chief minister in Patna and everything is fine. There is nothing to worry as both of them are returning tonight,” he said.

Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills SP Sylvester Nongtnger informed that with regard to the news circulating in social media of two church elders from Shillong being assaulted in Bihar, it may be informed that on receiving information of the same, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna and the Superintendent of Police (City) East Patna were contacted by East Khasi Hills Police and the Director General of Police, Meghalaya where it was gathered that at around 1.30 pm today, rumours had spread of some conversion going on in a house after which people had gheraoed it leading to an altercation and manhandled the occupants present therein.

He said that the police from Alamganj PS arrived there to contain the situation and escorted the two people to the thana for safe protection.

“Bihar Police had been communicated to give all the security and protection for their onward journey to Shillong and have escorted them to the airplane,” the SP said while informing that legal action has been taken by Bihar Police against the miscreants.

Bike thieves nabbed

Correspondent

Nongpoh, April 6: Jorabat police under the aegis of outpost in-charge Kapil Pathak arrested three bike thieves yesterday.

The Jorabat police outpost in charge said that three thieves were arrested in the bike theft case.

The arrested bike thieves have been identified as Sonrag Sangma, Jameson Marak and Mukesh Sangma.

Police have recovered two Pulsar bikes (AS-14H-6452 and AS-02AF-0667) from the arrested bike thieves. Both the bikes recovered by the police were stolen by thieves from the Byrnihat area.

Police are intensively interrogating the three bike thieves arrested and an FIR has been registered in this regard.