Govt urged to start contingency fund

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 22: Opposition Congress Umsning MLA Celestine Lyngdoh today urged the State government to come up with a contingency fund for providing immediate relief to families affected by natural calamities.

Participating in the discussion during the question hour in the Assembly, Lyngdoh suggested that such funds be parked with the respective MLAs.

“If (government do not) trust the MLAs, let it be placed with the deputy commissioner’s office and the same be released based on the recommendations of the MLAs,” he said while adding the contingency if made available, will go a long way in helping the affected victims of calamities.

Replying to this, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said he is happy to inform the House that in the recently held MDA meeting, some of the MLAs had in fact given the same proposal.

He however said though the government may not be able to create a contingency fund, as it may have financial implications but the Special Rural Works Program (SRWP) and the Special Urban Works Program (SUWP) could be used to address the concern.

He said the SRDF rules can be amended to allow funds to be placed with SRWP and SUWP like it was done during the Covid pandemic. “We are contemplating and we are working on it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Opposition chief whip Saleng A Sangma wanted to know whether the government has any proposal to enhance the SRWP scheme.

To this, the CM said though the demand is genuine, the government however will have to look at the budget as five years back, it had already increased the SRWP by Rs 50 lakh. According to him, the SRWP in Meghalaya is very much on the higher side compared to other states.

Police constantly assessing security of public representatives

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today said the State police is assessing the security of not only the chief minister but all elected members of the Assembly.

“We have to assess the security of each and every member of this House. That is why we are reviewing each and every now and then to know the safety and security of not only the CM but all members of this august House,” Tynsong said while replying to a special motion in the Assembly.

He was also referring to the statement made by former chief minister Mukul Sangma that he never heard in the history of Meghalaya that people were trying to attack or kill the chief minister.

During the discussion, Sangma had also slammed the government for booking young boys, arrested in the July 24 violence incident, under an act that deals with terrorists and members of banned organizations.

On this, Tynsong however said, “As far as this issue is concerned, let us wait till the process is completed whether police book them in this Act or that Act and then the truth will come out.”

“I, therefore, request the members of this august House that we don’t want to harm anybody or create any insecurity. We are here to protect and also to make sure we are all safe and secured wherever we are in the state of Meghalaya,” he added.

The deputy chief minister however reiterated that the July-24 Tura violence incident was pre-planned.

He said the people who had created the law and order did not wait for the outcome of the meeting convened by the chief minister and leaders of NGOs. “They started creating law and order outside while the meeting was still going on. Therefore, I said it was pre-planned.”

Celestine questions delay in construction of Patharkhmah civil subdivision building

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: Opposition Congress legislator from Umsning Celestine Lyngdoh today expressed concern over the delay in the fencing and construction of the building for the Patharkhmah civil subdivision.

Taking up the issue during the question hour in the Assembly, Lyngdoh said the land has been donated to the government when Patharkhmah was just an administrative unit.

However even after 15 years have passed, not a single pillar has been erected by the government.

“Due to this, there is encroachment and the land donated to the government (for the purpose) is reducing on a day-to-day basis,” he said while urging the government to erect pillars if not fencing at the earliest.

He said that the officers are attending office only twice a week.

“Therefore, we request the government to ensure proper fencing and proper building for the civil subdivision is constructed at the earliest,” he said.

In his reply, Minister in-charge General Administration Rakkam A Sangma said 11.864 acres of land was donated to the government for construction of the building of the civil subdivision.

He however said the Patharkhmah civil subdivision is temporarily functioning from the office of the SDO, PHE.

The proposal for permanent building and fencing has been initiated by the department,” he added.

KSU demands removal of ‘illegal’ BSF camps

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 18: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has demanded the State government to immediately remove of the illegal BSF camps at Sonapyrdi, Ratacherra and Hingaria and to set up an additional anti-infiltration check gate along the National Highway-6 in East Jaintia Hills District.

In a memorandum to the deputy chief minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today, KSU-EJHD Unit president Streamly N Suchen said, “(We) requests your immediate action to remove these illegal BSF camps and be relocated to the remote border areas of the country and also to take cognizance of their atrocities and be held accountable for their actions and we remain hopeful that you will take suitable measures to alleviate the distress faced by the people living in the vicinity of the BSF camp at Sonapyrdi, Ratacherra, and Hingaria.”

He said a series of serious complaints have been received about the dictatorial control and high-handedness of the BSF within the surrounding areas of NH-6 road.

Suchen said on March 2, 2023, a group of BSF personnel in full uniform and armed duty attacked a student of one Huroi village while he was on his way to school.

“This incident has left the villagers feeling vulnerable and living in fear. This act has caused the villagers and the union to strongly condemn the actions of these personnel and moreover, several attempts were made by the BSF to create fear and hostility among the local people,” he added.

He said that the reported instances of harassment range from undue interrogations, frequent vehicle searches, intimidation tactics, and disrespect towards the local community. These actions have resulted in a sense of fear and insecurity among the residents, negatively impacting their daily lives and overall well-being.

“Such behaviour is regrettable and not in line with the principles of fairness and respect that our administration seeks to uphold,” Suchen said while reiterating the demand to remove or relocate the BSF camps to ensure the safety to the people from the affected areas.

Further, the KSU-EJHDU also demands that the State government set up an additional ant-infiltration check gate along the NH-6, particularly at Tongseng, to check the flow of illegal immigration from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Suchen said the KSU Narpuh circle had recently managed to capture the free flow of these alleged suspected Bangladeshi immigrants from Kuliang forest crossing the border.

He said a series of these immigrants have been detected and foiled many times by the union and Dorbar Shnong respectively and has also been booked under certain provisions of the law.

“This constant flow of illegal immigrants has been a great concern whereby if not being detained one can stem other issues and result to crimes.”

Referring to the murder of a woman allegedly by Bangladeshi immigrants, Suchen said through the testimonies of local residents and corroborating evidence, that the existing check gates in the region are ill-equipped to handle the volume of immigrants passing through. Particularly, the lack of an infiltration check gate at Tongseng has paved the way for an unmanageable influx of illegal immigrants into the district. This situation has caused distress and concern among the local population, as well as jeopardizing the security and stability of the region.

“In order to safeguard the interests of the people of East Jaintia Hills and maintain the integrity of our borders, we humbly request your intervention in establishing a new infiltration check gate at Tongseng,” he said while adding this strategic location is poised to become a major entry point for illegal immigrants due to its proximity to areas known for high instances of infiltration.

KSU wants BSF removed from Amlarem

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has sought the intervention of the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong for immediate removal of the BSF personnel from Amlarem village, which is far away from the international border with Bangladesh.

“We have requested the Deputy Chief Minister to ensure immediate removal of the BSF personnel, who are illegally present at Amlarem market,” KSU West Jaintia Hills District Unit president Laitphar Syngkrem told reporters after a meeting here today.

He alleged that the BSF has been harassing local people and seizing their goods and said, “We strongly condemned the action of the BSF by conducting illegal checking on local residents of Amlarem and adjoining areas.”

Stating BSF are supposed to be guarding the international border, Syngkrem however reminded that Amlarem is a village which is quite far away from the international border and that it is illegal for the BSF to conduct checking on local people.

The present of the BSF personnel at Amlarem has been for the past six months.

“Earlier, we had submitted a complaint before the deputy commissioner and SDO but no action has been taken in this regard. This has compelled us to take up the issue with the deputy chief minister for immediate action,” Syngkrem said.

When asked, the KSU WJHDU president said, “The deputy chief minister has directed the deputy commissioner to take necessary action on the matter.”

He however warned if the government fails to address the grievance of the people, the Union will have no other option but to take stern decision on the matter.

Further, Syngkrem alleged that local peole who are going for marketing in Dawki were made to obtain permission from the commandant of the BSF otherwise their goods will be seized and taken to the BSF camp.

“We also want to question the BSF for allowing illegal Bangladeshi to carry out illegal trade and businesses at Dawki market,” he said.

Meanwhile, the KSU WJHDU has also demanded the government to immediately repair the deplorable Jowai Bypass. Due to this, small vehicles can no longer the road and were force to enter Jowai town thereby causing huge traffic congestion.

Syngkrem informed that the deputy chief minister, who is also looking after PWD (Road), has assured to look into the matter at the earliest.

KSU urges Ampareen to ensure upgrade of health facilities in SWKH

The Khasi Student Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District met the minister in charge of health department Ampareen Lyngdoh to follow up with regard to the up-gradation of various health centres in the district including the 100 bedded CHC in Mawkyrwat.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Sweepers’ Colony issue: Advocate Kynta bats for civil suit to effect relocation

Speaking to media persons, president of the KSU SWKHD Forwardman Nongrem claim that the health centres in South West Khasi Hills and Mawsynram C&RD Block of East Khasi Hills District still lack behind hence the union has asked the minister in charge to look into the matter for the benefits of the people of these two regions.

Nongrem informed that when it comes to the 100 bedded CHC in Mawkyrwat, though the CHC was open in December 2022 yet the health centre still lacks basic health services like radiology, surgeons, Intensive Care Unit, Operation Theater Department and ambulances for the patients.

He added that the 100 bedded CHC in Mawkyrwat still lacks manpower which includes in Grade IV, manpower in the Outpatient Department, Staff Nurses and Assistant, security, and other non-medical staff.

The KSU president also informed that the union has asked the minister in charge of health to set up the office of the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) in South West Khasi Hills in order to look into providing health services to the people.

“It has been more than ten years for the South West Khasi Hills District to be recognized as one of the districts in Meghalaya yet till date the district has not had DMHO headquarter to facilitate the doctors and nurses in the region” said Nongrem.

He added that the KSU has urged the minister in charge of health to set up a new Health Sub Centre in Mawhiang, Mawthong and Jyllep village and also to upgrade the Dangar PHC to CHC in order to provide quality health services to the people residing in those areas.

“The meeting with the minister in charge of health was successful as we were informed that the minister will look into all these demands and will get back to the union after two weeks after discussing with the department” he added.

On the other hand, the KSU also urged the minister in charge to provide basic requirements at Wahkaji and Mawsynram CHC like Pharmacist and Ambulances” he added.

Ampareen wants report on non-functional health centres

Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has sought a report on non-functional health care centres across the state.

This was after a delegation of the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) Ri Bhoi District and Dorbar Shnong of Parila village has sought her intervention to make functional the MCH hospital at the village by appointing manpower for the interest of the people of the area.

After the meeting, Lyngdoh told reporters that she will be conducting an inspection to this important health facility at Parila on May 8.

Congress MLA Celestine Lyngdoh and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, who is the adviser in the health department, will also be present during the inspection.

“I hope I will be able to attend to the important facility that has been used as a Covid centre and used as a quarantine centre. So we will go and we will see and until that time I hope I will do all my homework before May 8,” she said.

The minister informed that there was some issue related to staff and said, “I don’t know whether posts have been created and sanctioned or interviews have been conducted. We will have to look at the HR allocation but with the NHM in place, I am sure we will be able to run it adequately so let us wait and see what information I gather before the actual inspection.”

When asked, Lyngdoh said she will send a team of officials to inspect across the state and submit a report on non-functional health centres.

“I will take that report sometime in the first week of May and accordingly we will try to address the shortfalls and accordingly we will try to ensure that we upgrade or make all such facilities operational and it is a humongous task as I have to go across the state to check these centres,” she said while adding that “So we will begin with Parila and we will see where we go next and I am determined to make difference and I will try my best. We must make sure that if facilities have been raised they should be operational.”

On the other hand, the minister maintained that she will ensure there is no politics in this sector and said, “…at the end of the day the health facilities of the state must conform to certain standards and I am a very willing minister to ensure there is no politics in this sector at least.”