675 households in Mawkynrew affected by natural calamities

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 20: A total of 675 households have been affected by natural calamities under the Mawkynrew C&RD block from last year till date, Minister in-charge Revenue & Disaster Management Kyrmen Shylla said in a reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly today.

He informed that the total amount of loss reported is Rs 1,05,20,480. So far, an amount of Rs 22,78,750 has been paid to the affected households and the balance amount due is under process.

Roster system: Ampareen assures justice to every community

Spokesperson of Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government Ampareen Lyngdoh has assured that the government will come up with the best solution to ensure there is no ‘injustice’ done to any community while implementing the roster system in the state.

“We will come out with the best solution and we will ensure that solution is manifested in credible information,” Lyngdoh told reporters today.

“I appeal to the people of Meghalaya and political parties across the board to kindly allow us to collect data, to ensure data collected is credible and to ensure that in applying this roster there shall be no injustice done to any one community. We are Meghalayans and we must understand that the government is for the people of Meghalaya,” she added.

Also referring to the ongoing debates on the issue, the cabinet minister said, “I appeal to political parties to be confident that the government is taking all advisories, suggestions, being debated and we will evaluate those suggestions and we will incorporate and come out with a roster which is going to be acceptable, which is going to be justified and which is going to have credible source of data.”

Stating it is a very difficult situation, she said, “We are trying our best now to ensure that while debating and discussing this matter, we should not be seen as taking anyone’s side, we will try our best to present to the people the best solution.”

On the other hand, Lyngdoh also asserted the need for citizens of the state to ensure that a practice that was propagated since the inception of the state with its positives and negatives should not be discussed beyond logical debate while citing that reservation policy is a very unique application.

According to her, the government is also aware that the roster does in all likelihood create some sort of a sense of insecurity amongst communities that are enjoying this reservation in the state of Meghalaya.

Urging the people of the state not to underestimate the capacity of the government to evaluate what practice will benefit the state in the long run, the spokesperson said, “We have been actively engaging on understanding the roster as it was and how best can we take that forward protecting the interest of all communities who will gradually and definitely be affected by it.”

“I want to give an assurance to the people of the state that the government is engaging actively. We have been advised by various court orders to ensure that we have a systematic application of the reservation policy that will seem like a policy that is sensitive to citizens across the board. We will try our best to understand this system and to ensure that while applying it we should not seem as a government that is unjustly applying a system,” she said while adding “This order of the High Court is going to have positive application in the future. We must as a state adhere to justice for all. We must provide a fair playing ground for all communities and we will try our best to ensure that in its future application we apply the system in the best and most justified manner. We are procuring all datas from all line departments to understand how the roster has been applied in the state thus far and we will adhere to advisories that are going to be productive in the long run for the state and the citizens of Meghalaya.”

On the demand of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to review the state reservation policy, Lyngdoh said, “Again, I want to reiterate that toying with discussion and debate about the roster on public domain coming out with statements which can seem as bias is the incorrect practice forward.”

“It is not fair to give suggestions that may not be workable or doable. So we will not talk about any one political party but we appeal to all political parties that this is a very sensitive issue, we do not want to see it go out of hand,” she said while requesting all civil societies and NGO members to have faith in the government which will come out with the best solution.

More than 35 injured after night bus turns turtle at Shangbangla village, Ri Bhoi District

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 20: More than 35 people received injuries after a night super bus overturned on 20th March night at around 10 o’clock at the National Highway 6 at Shangbangla village in Ri Bhoi District.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Police on the lookout for woman who stabbed youngster in Shillong

As per information, the night super bus with registered number AR 20-9099 was on its way from Guwahati to Silchar, but on reaching a curve at the highway, the driver lost control over the wheel and overturned to the other side of the National Highway lane. The incident also occurred due to heavy rain in Ri Bhoi District which made the road more slippery.

It is also informed that, in the incident around 35 passengers of the bus received injuries and were taken to Nongpoh Civil Hospital and few were shifted to another health institution in Guwahati.

According to the eyewitness, such road accidents have occurred from time to time due to the condition of the road and they have demanded from the National Highway Authority of India to construct Speed breakers in these locations to prevent such more incidents.

Meghalaya Government to pursue border talks after Budget Session

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said today that the state government will communicate with its counterpart Assam for starting the second phase of border talks for resolving the remaining six areas of difference.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Police on the lookout for woman who stabbed youngster in Shillong

Replying to the debate on the Governor’s Address, Sangma informed the Assembly that the regional committees have been reconstituted recently for the purpose of taking forward the second round of border talks.

“We are hopeful that post the Assembly session, we will be starting our communication with the Assam government in order to initiate discussion on the border issue as has been promised to the people of the state,” he said.

The chief minister also assured that the government will take every single stakeholder on board in the next phase of border talks and said, “I am not saying we will agree to whatever they say but everybody will be heard.”

Stating that the border issue is very complex, Sangma said, “We are working to find an amicable solution.” He added that the government does not want to lose any more precious lives due to the issue.

The first six areas of difference have been resolved through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two states of Meghalaya and Assam on March 29, last year in New Delhi in the presence of union home minister Amit Shah.

According to the CM, the border talks were based on the claims made by the Meghalaya government through its report on 12 areas of difference submitted to Assam in 2011.

He said there is no perfect solution but the government will try to find the best solution to resolve the long pending boundary dispute with Assam.

On the issue of drug menace, the chief minister said the government has really taken the matter very seriously and in the past few years, almost 726 cases have been registered and over 1,000  people have been arrested in drugs and narcotic cases.

He informed that the home department is coming up with a law to ensure strict measures are taken to book the drug peddlers.

As far as the rehabilitation centres for drug addicts are concerned, Sagma said the government is in discussion with different NGOs, who are running these organizations for financial support to them.

With regards to the concern expressed against illegal transportation of coal, the chief minister informed that almost 1,701 cases have been registered against illegal transportation of coal and over 200 cases registered against illegal coal mining in the state.

“Therefore, police are doing their job,” he said.

Also informing that systems are already in place for auctioning and transportation of over 32 lakh metric of coal, Sangma said, “We need to realise that every single truck that moves is not an illegal truck. Police have been very strict and that is why nearly 2000 cases have been registered but there are also a large number of vehicles who are moving with proper documents.”

He however said that police have been asked to maintain vigilance and keep a check against illegal transportation.

The chief minister also informed that over Rs 230 crore was collected as non-tax revenue in the state.

Stating that the government is taking steps to promote lakadong turmeric, he said 15 units of slicing, washing and grinding for lakadong turmeric run on solar power has been set up and are run by women self-help groups adding the curcumin extraction unit was also set up.

“We have managed to increase the turmeric production by 10 times,” he claimed.

Further, the chief minister informed that the old age pension was never stop but is continuing and the government has enhanced the same to Rs 9,000 from Rs 6,000 while adding that his government has also released up to Rs 80 crore for clearing the dues to the Asha workers for 2018-2023 and also from 2013 to 2017 which shows that “we care for them as well”.

On the demand for inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages, the chief minister said an official resolution was already passed and he has been continuously taking the matter up with the Centre.

He said there are 40 languages that have applied for recognition and there are challenges at the national level. “However, we are examining how we could improve our case and get recognition in the Eighth Schedule,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sangma said the government is coming up with its own state university which will be a permanent solution for the state to be exempted from the CUET.

“Once the colleges are affiliated to the state university, they will no longer be under the purview of the CUET,” he said.

Meghalaya Police on the lookout for woman who stabbed youngster in Shillong

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: Efforts are being made to identify and nab a female assailant involved in the stabbing of a 25-year-old man in the Khyndailad area.

ALSO READ: Election results are a reflection of biggest ‘agni pariksha’, says Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma

The Superintendent of Police Dr MG Raghavendra Kumar, East Khasi Hills today said that the victim has been identified as Zecharia Sohthiang and is a resident of Mawtary, Mayrdon, Umsning. He was stabbed on March 19.

He informed that the victim has given his statement to the investigation officer (IO) of the case that he had been stabbed by an unknown woman near Hotel Pegasus and that he could identify the female assailant.

“The matter is under investigation and all efforts are being made to identify and nab the alleged female assailant,” Dr Kumar said.

The victim was immediately referred to NEIGRIHMS for further medical treatment.

An FIR filed by the sister of the victim P Sohthiang was registered with the Sadar police station.

The SP said that since the morning of March 19, the victim had been giving conflicting and contradictory statements regarding the place of occurrence, time of occurrence and also regarding the description of the suspects.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the victim had forcibly boarded a private vehicle at Khyndailad near the road leading to Hotel Pegasus on March 18 at approximately 9.45 pm and requested help from the four occupants of the vehicle to help him recover the scooty that he claimed had met with an accident at Mawprem.

On reaching Mawprem, the victim Zecharia Sohthiang confessed to the occupants of the vehicle that he had been stabbed and requested them to take him to his temporary residence at Mawshbuit village under Madanriting police station.

The occupants of the vehicle along with the victim arrived at Mawshbuit at approximately 12.30 am on March 19 and handed the victim over to his two relatives, who were staying with him.

At 3.59 am, one of the relatives informed EMRI about the matter and requested for an ambulance. The victim was brought to Civil Hospital at approximately 5.30 am by the two relatives in an EMRI ambulance, he said.

Election results are a reflection of biggest ‘agni pariksha’, says Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said people have voted for the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government and it is a reflection of the biggest ‘agni pariksha’.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Police arrested two in connection with Elius Rangdon murder case

“People have voted for the different components of the MDA, people have voted for the MDA government. This is the biggest agni pariksha,” Sangma said in his reply to the short-duration discussion moved by VPP legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum in the Assembly.

Refusing to comment on statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the elections, Sangma said, “We said what we have to say during elections. Many of our coalition partners too said (so many things) against us and we are against them. But people have given their verdict and they expect us to be responsible.”

While moving the short duration discussion, Nongrum asked if the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister would be so careless as to publicly declare that the state government of Meghalaya is the most corrupt in entire India. “Do you think persons of their stature will speak without having enough knowledge about what is really going on in the mismanagement of public funds released to the state by the central government?” Nongrum said.

He added, “If the charges of corruption against the state government are untrue, then it requires that the government of the day give a strong and befitting response to the remarks of the Prime Minister and the Union Minister.”

The Chief Minister, however, highlighted the achievements of the MDA government in terms of the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, PMGSY and others and said, “This is the testimony of the fact that Meghalaya has performed well and it is the government of India which has given us these certificates.”

“The fact that today in this MDA-2 government, we are working together with the BJP (and) during the swearing-in ceremony (was also attended by the) the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister (for the first time in the state’s history) speaks volume about their confidence in this government,” he further stated.

Reminding the people that the ‘agni pariksha’ of 2023 is over, the Chief Minister said, “It is now for the leaders of the state to fulfil the aspirations of the people and take the state forward as we want to make Meghalaya the top 10 states in the country.”

He urged all members to work together with the government and said, “We will have our differences and sometimes you can agree to disagree but it should be done with a positive mindset.”

Earlier while taking part in the discussion, AITC leader and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that corruption is more crippling and deadly than terrorism as it can cripple the state at the cost of the next generation.

“Therefore, let us not take this issue lightly. It is appropriate for this House to adopt a government resolution urging the government of India to indicate the instance of corruption. If there are instances of corruption, let the government of India come up with measures to investigate the alleged irregularities so that we can free this state from being referred to as a corrupt state,” he asserted.

When Mukul expressed concern over the increase in AT&C losses up to 60 per cent in the state, the Chief Minister, however, said the losses from 2021 to 2022 were at 30.8 per cent which means it has continuously come down.

Opposition highlights silence on key issues from Meghalaya Governor’s address

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: Opposition political parties have expressed concern over the failure of the Governor’s address to highlight the steps taken by the state government to address important issues which include the unabated influx into the state.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Police arrested two in connection with Elius Rangdon murder case

“The Governor’s Address has failed to highlight the steps taken by the government to address the issue of influx, safety and security of people living in the border,” Congress legislator from Umsning Dr Celestine Lyngdoh said while participating in the debate on the Governor’s Address.

He said that the Governor has also failed to mention the many failures of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and failure of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the state besides steps taken to ensure transparency in governance.

VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that the Governor has failed to mention the issue related to the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

He also alleged that during the last five years, people are living in fear and people are even forced to take the law in their own hands while citing the incident where four criminals were lynched to death at Shangpung village in the West Jaintia Hills district.

On the border issue, Basaiawmoit said that the government should not give away precious land to Assam in the name of border settlement.

“I am worried as anything done in a haste will turn out to be a waste,” he said while referring to the ongoing border talks for resolving the remaining six areas of difference.

He said no doubt the border dispute has to be resolved but many villages in Khasi Hills have now gone to Assam because of the MoU.

Lauding the effort of the police to wage war against drugs in the state, Basaiawmoit however asserted the need to take stringent action against drug peddlers and ensure they stay behind bars for a very long time.

He also urged the government to set up its own rehab centres keeping in mind that treatment for drug addiction is expensive and has been a problem for a majority of parents.

The VPP leader further suggested the government to involve experienced academicians and experts in the state education commission.

Meghalaya Police arrest two in connection with Elius Rangdon murder case

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the recent murder of one Elius Rangdon from Pahammawlein 20th Mile, Ri Bhoi District.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Govt to examine possibility of regularising Lower Primary teachers

This was informed by the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong.

A criminal case was registered at the Nongpoh police station and an investigation is in progress, he told the Assembly.

“The police are leaving no stone unturned, and they are working round the clock, towards ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are found and prosecuted as per law and that justice is delivered to the kin of the deceased victim,” Tynsong assured.

The body of Elius Rangdon was recovered at Kliar Niangbari under 20th Mile, Byrnihat on the evening of March 9.

The matter was informed to the police by the headman of 20th Mile Pahammawlein to the police of the Byrnihat outpost.

Elius Rangdon was found lying on the ground with grievous injury on the head.

An FIR was filed by his daughter Rakhel Suting on March 10.

Opposition Congress legislator Dr Celestine flays Meghalaya govt over illegal coal trucks

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: Opposition Congress legislator from Umsning Dr Celestine Lyngdoh questioned the failure of the state police to detect illegal coal trucks.

ALSO READ: Mukroh is in Meghalaya, CM Conrad Sangma asserts

“If our police are so efficient in detecting small amounts of drugs I fail to understand why they fail to detect a 16-wheeler truck (carrying illegal coal),” Lyngdoh told the Assembly.

“Can we ask do the police want to be selective (as in which area they want to be efficient)? If they are efficient in every area they are posted, I still fail to understand why big trucks cannot be detected?” he said.

Lyngdoh also sought to know the revenue collected from coal during the last year and said, “I urge the government to start scientific mining of coal in the interest of the state.”

Stating that he is not against the coal merchants, the Congress leader said, “I salute them. At a time when the state is facing a lot of employment issues, we are happy that certain groups of people managed to do some mining activities and provide some sort of employment but then the question has to be answered can we continue this, can we allow a group of people do illegal business at the cost of the state?”

Citing that his constituency is located along the national highway, Lyngdoh said, “If the government say there is no illegal mining it will be very difficult for me and my people to say there is no transportation of coal as we see it every day. But the question is how many of those trucks are illegal and how many are legal.”

With regards to the border issue, Lyngdoh said there are six more remaining areas of difference.

He said that much has been learned from the first phase of border talks while alleging that the government had given a fish pond at Maikhuli which was never an area of difference, to Assam.

Lyngdoh sad, therefore, the government should exchange only areas of difference but not to land which are never under dispute.

Meanwhile, the Congress leader urged the Speaker not to allow such incidents as yesterday to take place in the House where four legislators of the VPP had to stage of a walkout in protest against the Governor for addressing in Hindi.

“Since the BJP is in the union government, I request through you that when they appoint a governor, he should have a working knowledge of English when posted in Meghalaya,” he added.

‘Assam strengthening infrastructure at Mukroh’, alleges UDP Legislator Nujorki Sungoh

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: UDP legislator from Mokaiaw Nujorki Sungoh alleged that the Assam government is strengthening its infrastructure at Mukroh village.

ALSO READ: Mukroh is in Meghalaya, CM Conrad Sangma asserts

“Instead of removing the (Forest check gate at Mukroh), they are strengthening their infrastructure,” Sungoh said while participating in the Governor’s Address.

He demanded that the state government should stop such action by the Assam government.

Sungoh also urged the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-2 government to ensure all 36 villages under Block-I are transferred back to Meghalaya.

“Kindly bring back all the 36 villages to Meghalaya,” he said while referring to the second phase of border talks between the two states of Meghalaya and Assam.

He said that this is the long pending demand of the people living in these villages.

He said there are no developmental activities happening in the 36 villages due to the dispute.

Meanwhile, Sungoh expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to upgrade the Laskein block to a civil sub-division and said, “I am very sad that till now (the long pending demand of the people) is yet to see the light of day.”

“Therefore, the government should immediately consider the demand since Laskein is the oldest block in the state,” he added.