Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong assures to end extortion in Meghalaya

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 1: Deputy Chief Minister-in-charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today assured that the department will take steps to end any kind of extortion in the state.

“We are on the job and we will ensure that there is no illegal collection or extortion,” Tynsong told reporters.

His statement came two days after the arrest of the president of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) East Khasi Hills District Bless Dkhar for allegedly being involved in illegal collection from overloaded trucks passing through the Umiam Bridge.

Stating that nobody should be above the law, Tynsong said, “Be it men or women or NGOs or anybody, I request that we should not cross the boundary line. Whether you say it is extortion or any illegalities, my request is please respect the law.”

Tynsong said that police only arrest gangs involved in criminal activities.

“It depends on the NGOs if they have anything, let them give clarification because when we make an arrest, we arrest only criminals. We cannot say anything on whether he belongs to which group or which village but we arrest gangs for (their) criminal activities,” he stated.

Dkhar, who was arrested from Pohkseh, was produced before a lower court on Tuesday and he remanded to 3 days of police custody.

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.”

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.

Govt bats for change in MLAs pension

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 15: The Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya (Member’s Pension) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to reduce the qualifying years of 2 years and 6 months for an MLA to be eligible to receive a pension, was tabled in the first day of the Assembly’s autumn session held today.

Stating the object and reasons after introducing the Bill, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Parliamentary Affairs Prestone Tynsong said that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has proposed to reduce the qualifying years of 2 years and 6 months as contained in proviso to section 3 (l) of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Member’s Pension) Act, 1977.

He said that the existing provision in section 3 of the said Act puts a cap of 2 years and 6 months for an MLA to be eligible to receive a pension. In view of this law, members who have served as an MLA for less than this period were not eligible to receive a pension.

Tynsong also said there are few persons who were members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly who have fallen short of 2 years and 6 months as required in section proviso to section 3 (l) of the said Act and thus ineligible to receive a pension.

“To enable these persons to be eligible to receive a pension, the instant amendment is being placed. Therefore the proposal to amend section 3 of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Member’s Pension) Act, 1977 by inserting a new proviso and by giving it retrospective effect is being proposed in the amendment. Hence, this Bill,” he said.

In the financial memorandum, Assembly’s Commissioner & Secretary Andrew Simons said that the additional expenditures will be involved from the consolidated fund of the State while implementing this amendment provision.

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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.

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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.

‘Meghalaya Govt’s focus is on roster system implementation’, says Prestone Tynsong

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 25: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has stated that the government’s focus is on the implementation of the roster system.

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“The duty of the government is to again revisit and study properly about the roster system and we are on the job,” Tynsong told reporters today.

Informing that an all-party meeting will also be convened next month to discuss the roster issue, the deputy chief minister however said, “Before doing that, we will have a detailed discussion in the Cabinet and we will have a detailed discussion with the MDA partners.”

When asked on the demand for reviewing the state reservation policy, Tynsong said, “Amendment does not arise. This is not the Act, it is only a policy and this policy has been initiated and started right from 1972.”

“I even saw one political party demanding that we should have a special session which is not at all needed except if we intend from the government to amend the Act, the existing Act, the highest authority to agree to the amendment is the legislative assembly,” he added.

Further, Tynsong said, “Just demanding that we have to review the reservation policy is not as simple as that. So when you talk about roster system, yes, now the government is seriously examining this issue and once that is done Cabinet will sit down, MDA will sit down and then ultimately we will invite all political parties and we will invite also all the stakeholders in one go where we will explain exactly what is a roster system and how is it taking effective is it retrospective or is it prospective.”

The deputy chief minister said that right now the concern of the stakeholders and the people of the state is about the roster system that it should be implemented prospectively not retrospectively adding that “I think that is the main core issue. I have seen quite a number of NGOs in the state who demanded the same thing.”

Referring to the stand of the VPP on the issue, Tynsong said, “VPP (as) you know they keep aside the roster system and their priority is reservation policy and reservation policy right now as I said to you I will not say anything because now the focus of the government is on roster system.”

Meghalaya Deputy CM asserts that relocation from Sweepers’ Colony has to happen

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 25: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong maintained that relocation of the Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong has to take place.

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“If you ask me whether the government will go ahead with the proposal, the proposal is very clear as I said to you from day one relocation has to take place whatever you say,” Tynsong told reporters.

His statement came after the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) had rejected the government’s proposal to relocate the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong to the existing land of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).

Tynsong said the HPC has made its stand very clear in its reply submitted on April 20 that “they don’t accept the blueprint presented by the government to them. That is the case right now.”

The deputy chief minister said that all documents are being studied by the advocate general and very soon the government will sit to discuss the matter.

On Monday, the Meghalaya High Court had deferred the hearing on the issue to June 7.

The order was passed by the division bench based on the request made by the state government and the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) during the hearing held here.

“At the request of the parties, let the matter stand over for six weeks. List on June 7, 2023,” the bench had said in its order.

In its 6-page reply sent to the Deputy Secretary of the Government of Meghalaya and other concerned departments, the HPC had alleged that the government’s proposal was “incomplete, unsuitable, unprepared, unfair and undemocratic.”

The reply also came after the deadline issued by the state government had expired 10 days ago.

The HPC had also stated in its reply that “There are serious lacunae, sweeping and undesirable conclusions in the approach and attitude of the High-Level Committee of the Meghalaya government.”

“We are absolutely devastated that since the formation of the new government, ministers, MLAs and certain groups have been making unnecessary remarks saying that the whole issue would be resolved within the month of April. What magical trick do they have up their sleeve to resolve the issue within days? The matter is sub-judice and they are only paying lip service to respect for the judiciary. We will not buckle under political duress,” it had also added.

Meghalaya Deputy CM counters Himanta’s statement; Says Mukroh is part of Meghalaya

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 13: Countering the claim made by the Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that Mukroh is well within Meghalaya territory.

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“Our stand is very clear that Mukroh is well within Meghalaya. Even till this moment it is under the possession of Meghalaya,” Tynsong told reporters.