Sohiong assembly polls: Order on deposition of arms, ammunition

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 30: The East Khasi Hills district administration has directed all license holders to deposit their arms and ammunition without fail in the nearest police station, outpost and beat house during the ongoing model code of conduct enforced on account of the ensuing election to the adjourned poll to the Sohiong assembly constituency.

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Non-compliance will result in the imposition of penalties prescribed under Section 25, IB, (h) which reads that failure to deposit arms or ammunition as required by Sub Section (l) of Section 21 “shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than (one year) but which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine”, the order said.

‘All measures in place ahead of Sohiong Assembly Polls on May 10’, informs DEO

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 30: The East Khasi Hills district administration has kept all measures in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the adjourned poll to the Sohiong constituency by implementing the code of conduct and prevention of defacement of public and private properties by all contesting candidates or political parties within the district.

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The election will be held on May 10 and counting will be on May 13.

The order issued by the District Election Officer (DEO) has prohibited all contesting candidates, agents and political parties from wall writing, pasting of posters or papers or defacement in any other form or erecting or displaying of cut-outs, hoardings, banners etc on any public property or premises.

It said no political parties or candidates will be allowed to put up banners on all roads or thoroughfares, No wall writing, pasting of posters or papers or defacement in any other form or erecting or displaying of cut-outs, hoardings, banners etc, shall be permitted on any private property, private walls without written permission from the house-owners and final approval from the office of the undersigned.

No election meeting would be allowed without taking permission from the office of the undersigned and subsequently local headmen regarding the venue of the meeting. No PA system will be allowed to be used between 10 pm to 6 am.

In case of PA systems or loudspeakers which are used without permission from the undersigned, the same would be seized immediately by the local authorities. No rallies and processions will be allowed without permission from the undersigned.

Meanwhile, the district administration has also prohibited any person or group of persons from carrying money above Rs 50,000 only, in East Khasi Hills District.

It said that information was received that some persons are likely to carry a large amount of hard cash to bribe the voters for casting their votes in favour of a particular candidate

That such action, if allowed, would affect the conduct of a free and fair election of the adjourned poll to the Sohiong constituency and is likely to cause frustration, quarrel and fights between members of the public, leading to law and order problems, breach of peace and tranquillity ultimately resulting to loss of life and property, the order said.

Meghalaya: 13 including 3 MeECL employees arrested for arson attack in former headman’s residence

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 10: Thirteen persons including three employees of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) were arrested for their involvement in the arson attack in the house of a former headman of Rymbai village in East Jaintia Hills District.

The incident took place at Rymbai Iawpynsin on March 8. In the incident, Deishim O Lamurong of Rymbai Shynrang Sakhain village was caught red-handed by the public at the time when he was committing the offence of arson, while his associates ran away taking advantage of darkness, SP Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said.

Further, one person by the name of Heisalon Dkhar working at the MeECL Control Room was suspected to be involved in the incident as he tripped the electricity line before the house was set on fire.

In connection with the incident, a case has been registered.

“Further, an investigation is on to reveal the other co-accused and the larger conspiracy involved,” he said.

So far, 13 persons have been arrested.

The SP said Heisalon Dkhar (33) of Rymbai Synrang Sakhain, Elius Wanniang (40) of Mawkyrwat village and Rishotlang Bareh (31) of Khimmusniang locality, Jowai are MeECL employees.

The other arrested persons are Deishim O Lamurong (26), Bakstar Dkhar (32), Eborlang Nongtdu (35), Emerson Dkhar (25), Roilang Dkhar (36), Henry Shangpung (32), Thynda Lyngdoh (36), Kletin Suchiang (27) and November Dkhar (24).

Ao takes diplomatic stance on ‘fighting corruption’

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 7: The BJP national vice president and Meghalaya In-charge Dr M Chuba Ao remained tight-lipped regarding the party’s stand to fight against corruption.

On BJP to go ahead with its decision to investigate all cases of corruption against the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA-I) government, Dr Ao said, “Now, we are not talking about corruption. Let us form the government after that we will work and you will see how smoothly we run the government.”

He said the allegations of corruption were made during election time. “They also make allegations against our political party (that it is a) Hindu party and Hindutva”.

He however said there is no proof of the allegations of corruption. “We will stick to that only but we will work and we will come to know what is there. We also promise that we will not do such kinds of things,” Dr Ao said.

Whether he meant to say there was no corruption at all in the MDA-I government, the BJP leader however said, “I can’t say because at that time we were not so much acquainted with each other it is only we form the government to take the numbers but this time we are much more united.”

Hek, Shullai to share cabinet berth

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided that the cabinet berth will be shared between the two of its MLAs – Alexander Laloo Hek and Sanbor Shullai.

The decision came a day before Hek was sworn in as cabinet minister in the Conrad K Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA-2) government.

In a letter to the NPP Chief, the BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said, “The party and its MLAs have symbiotically agreed to allow AL Hek to hold the berth for the first two and a half years which will end on August 7, 2025, following which Sanbor Shullai will hold the cabinet berth for the remaining term. Both the MLAs are hereby asked to respect and abide by the decision of the party and work mutually to ensure good governance and also to ensure check and balance.”

“Thus, I request your esteemed office to kindly honour the decision of the party and ensure both the MLAs get equal opportunity considering their seniority and support to your government,”  he added.

BJP Meghalaya In-charge Dr M Chuba Ao along with Hek and Shullai were also signatories of the letter submitted to the NPP chief.

After attending the swearing-in ceremony of the 12-member council of ministers, Shullai told reporters that this time an official agreement to share the cabinet berth between the two MLAs was made in the presence of the party leaders unlike in the last term which was only a “verbal agreement”.

“Besides the chief minister, the letter was also sent to the BJP national president JP Nadda and general secretary Rituraj Sinha,” he said.

Shullai said he does not have any problem waiting for his turn to take over as cabinet minister after 2 and a half years.

On his role in the government, the former cabinet minister said, “It will depend on the prerogative of the chief minister. I will accept anything for the interest of the people of my constituency.”