AIM against gambling in melas
The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.
Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.
Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.
“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.
Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.
HYC seeks action against culprits involved in ‘harassment’ of church leaders
The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) today demanded from the state government to take up the matter with the government of Bihar to punish those who were involved in manhandling two religious leaders from the state.
Speaking to media persons, HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin said that it is unacceptable for certain groups in Bihar to manhandle two religious leaders from Meghalaya as the constitution of India allows any religion to go for any religious activity.
Kharjahrin said that in Meghalaya every religion be it Christians, Hindu or Muslim has their own rights to do their own activity and nobody has ever interfered hence, the same spirit should be upheld and accepted in all parts of India.
“The constitution of India has given a religious right to all the people to go for any religious activity and there is no law yet to stop this, so we request the government of Meghalaya to pursue the matter with the government of Bihar so that those who were involved in manhandling two religious leaders from the state should be a book as per law,” said Kharjahrin.
Kharjahrin said that the HYC also demanded from the Home Ministry government of India to ensure that this should not happen in the future and it should ensure the safety and security of all religious communities across the country.
On the other hand leaders of the HYC urged that people of the state to not respond irresponsibly to such reports without knowing the full side of the story as it might lead to misunderstanding among other communities.