HNLC observes martyrs’ day

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 21: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) today observed the martyrs’ day in recognition of the leaders and cadres who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the relentless fight against Indian illegal occupation and oppression.

In a statement, HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said that Sambor Mawthoh @Dengdeng holds a significant place in the history of the HNLC.

He tragically lost his life as the first cadre of HNLC during an encounter with the Meghalaya Police on September 21, 1994 at Jaiaw. In recognition of his sacrifice, the HNLC declared this day as the Martyrs’ Day of the organization, Nongtraw said.

He said that the HNLC meticulously maintain records of all its cadres and leaders who have dedicated their lives to the cause of the ‘Hynńiewtrep Nation’.

“The bloodshed by these brave youths will not be in vain, as the HNLC is determined to ensure that our struggle becomes a part of history,” the general secretary said adding “The importance of this day lies in commemorating and honouring the courageous leaders and cadres who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the relentless fight against Indian illegal occupation and oppression. It is a solemn occasion that pays tribute to those who fearlessly fought for the rights and aspirations of their people. The unwavering dedication, sacrifices, and the ultimate sacrifice made by these youths serve as a testament to their indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to seeking justice and freedom. On this day, we take a moment to solemnly remember their invaluable sacrifices and express our heartfelt gratitude for their selflessness and bravery.”

Stating that they reluctantly joined the Indian Union under coercion and at gunpoint, not by choice, Nongtraw said the formation of the HNLC is based on our nation’s historical rights.

“Numerous young individuals have joined the HNLC, prepared to rewrite history,” he said.

He said there has never been a bloodless revolution, nonviolent revolution, or turn-the-other-cheek revolution in history.

He said that nonviolence will not be effective if the oppressor lacks a moral conscience.

“May the souls of these fallen heroes find eternal peace, and may their legacy continue to inspire future generations to stand up against injustice and oppression. Martyrs Day serves as a reminder of their noble cause, urging us to carry forward their aspirations and never waver in our pursuit of justice and freedom for the Hynńiewtrep Nation,” Nongtraw added.

State’s power woes to improve: MeECL

The Managing Director of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeELC) Sanjay Goyal has assured that the power situation in the state, which is witnessing eight-nine hours of load-shedding, will improve in the days to come.

“Let me assure you that this situation is going to improve in the days to come,” Goyal told reporters today while responding to a query on the steps taken to lift the load shedding.

“We are expecting some more power from other sources but that might not come very soon. Maybe in the days to come and with some rainfall which we are expecting as per information, we will get production from Leshka and we will try to reduce the (hours of) load shedding,” he added.

He also appealed to the public to understand that the state is going through a tough time due to shortage of power and the corporation is making all-out efforts to address the issue.

Goyal informed that as of now there is a gap between the availability of power and the demand which is there in the state.

“The demand is roughly touching around 250 MW and the availability is roughly around 170 MW which is from our own generation as well as our entitlements from the central generating units – from the NEEPCO, NTPC and from Agartala based power plant,” he said.

“To some extent, we are trying to fulfil (the demand) from the open market corporation which we talk about like purchase of the power and some of it is since we are not able to go to that extent of the purchase of the power because of it is quite costly during the certain period of the day so we are going for the load shedding,” he added.

Goyal said load-shedding is being imposed around 8-9 hours even as he added that “we are trying to reduce in the days to come and we will see if we can procure some cheaper power from the open market.”

The Managing Director further said that shortage of water has greatly impacted the generating units of the Myntdu Leshka Hydro Electric Project as it is off-production for the last 5-6 days adding that “accordingly the water level of Umiam is also decreasing very fast because we are excessively using this water to compensate the loss of power which is there not available through the Myntdu.”

Stating that the corporation is also purchasing power to meet the demand, Goyal said, “We are even going up to Rs 8 for purchase of power whereas the average cost of billing which the regulator is allowing us is roughly Rs 4.5. Therefore, the corporation is taking that hit of around Rs 3 per unit during the peak time.”

“We are trying to see that during the evening time we are not going for load shedding and that is the time the power available in the market is at the very high-cost rate but we are doing the operation just to ensure the supply of the power,” he added.

Goyal said, “It’s not about the failure I think that is too simplistic a statement. See we have to understand one thing, we have only one project in Meghalaya which is dependent on the pondage which is the Umiam. We have a huge reservoir which takes the water all through the year and it is during this lean period we use this water right from the month of November onwards till the month of April or May till the time we get rainfall during the monsoons.”

He said the three units of Myntdu Leshka are being operated during peak monsoon and are generating 126 MW of power.

Govt wants 10 CAPF companies to check illegal coal transport

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has informed that he had already written to the Government of India for deployment of 10 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to check the illegal transportation of coal in the state.

“I had written to the Government of India on it so the Government of India will respond accordingly,” Sangma told reporters today when asked about the Meghalaya High Court’s order for the deployment of CAPF.

In its order passed on April 12, the full bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee had said, “and the Union Ministry of Home, through the Union Home Secretary, is directed to ensure the deployment of 10 companies of the appropriate Central Armed Police Force to be commanded independently or jointly by the officers from the local police that may be selected by the Court, strictly for the purpose of keeping a vigil on the roads and arresting the illegal transportation of illegally mined coal in the State.”

The Court had also directed that the Union’s response through the relevant Secretary should be available when the matter appears next a fortnight hence.

This was after DSGI Dr Mozika had informed that the Central Industrial Security Force is unwilling to take up the assignment of deploying 10 companies for the purpose of checking the illegal transportation of coal in the state, primarily because the nature of the work does not fall within the usual activities undertaken by such police force.

However, the order said that the Court did not seek out the CISF in particular, but had initially sought to explore the possibility of deploying the Central Reserve Police Force with the mandate to check the illegal transportation of coal in the State.

It was at such stage that it was suggested on behalf of the Union since the CRPF works under the instructions of the local police and the real intention of this Court was for the local police not to be associated in the process since it had been ineffective in such regard, the CISF may be the appropriate force.

“In any event, no direction had been issued for deployment. The previous orders merely provided for the CISF to indicate its readiness. Despite the apparent unwillingness on the part of the CISF, once a direction is issued by the Court, the relevant force would be bound thereby, subject to its right to have the order tested in the appropriate forum. However, no such direction is issued immediately,” the Court had said.