Science and Commerce college, Mawphlang nears completion

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 20: The physical progress of the construction of the science and commerce college at Mawphlang is 72 per cent.

Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma in his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday informed that the project was sanctioned at Rs 36.55 crore on June 30, 2017, out of which Rs 14.815 crore has been spent so far.

He said that the stipulated date for completion of the project is March next year.

He said that the classes will commence in this college after the completion of the construction of buildings and on completion of academic procedures.

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.”

5,196 criminal cases in EKH district in 3yrs

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: East Khasi Hills district has registered over 5,196 cases of crimes during the past three years from 2020 to 2023.

This was informed by the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong while replying to a query raised by UDP Nongpoh legislator from Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem in the Assembly today.

Syiem has sought assurance from the deputy chief minister on the need to fast-track the investigation and charge sheeting of pending cases.

He said there are over 2,821 cases of crimes have been registered in a span of 3 years out of which only 84 have been prosecuted so far.

In his reply, Tynsong admitted that it looks very discouraging as it takes a lot of time for cases to reach the stage of prosecution.

He however said the state police are going all out to complete the process of charge-sheeting and submit the same to the court for disposal of cases.

“I like to assure the House that the police and the government will not sit idle on this issue. We will pursue this matter and ensure procedure in the court will complete (at the earliest),” he added.

On the status of the forensic laboratory in the State, the deputy chief minister informed that the State government had recently created a separate directorate of forensics under the control of the Home department.

“Few proposals have been submitted for strengthening the functioning of this department and the government has already approved the proposal. We have also already acquired a few important instruments required to ensure pending cases are fast-tracked and tests no longer required to be sent outside the state (for speedy investigation),” he said.

Regarding the shortage of manpower in the police department, Tynsong informed that a meeting was recently held under the chairmanship of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma has decided to fill up the shortages faced by the SP office, police stations, women police stations, police outposts across the state.

“The DGP is working out the total requirement and once that is done, the government will accordingly create and sanction. I am sure a few months from now, we will be able to fill up those requirements right from the SP office level down to the outpost level,” he assured.

Mukul asks what happened to seized drugs

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: Opposition AITC leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma today sought to know the status of the drugs seized by the State police.

“What happened to the drugs seized by the police during the different occasions?” Sangma asked while raising a supplementary query during the question hour in he Assembly.

He said usually, the state police used to inform the public as to what has been done to such seizures.

Sangma also said petty peddlers are being arrested but who are the kingpins? He further asserted the need to speed up the charge sheeting of NDPS-related cases.

In his reply, deputy chief minister in-charge home (police) Prestone Tynsong said the menace of drugs in Meghalaya is not only a state problem but is also a national and an international problem.

“As far as the state government is concerned, we have now recently notified the advisory board under the PITNDPS to deal with those arrested people, who deal with the supply or who are involved in the spreading of drugs throughout the state,” he said.

“This advisory board is in place. Once police arrested those people, the criminals cannot just easily come out of the jail as according to the board they can even recommend to 2 years time (of imprisonment),” Tynsong added.

Tynsong urged to Intervene on dilapidated NH-6

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 18: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) today sought the intervention of the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynong into the dilapidated condition of the National Highway-6.

In a memorandum to Tynsong, KSU-EJHD Unit president Streamly N Suchen said it has been almost six weeks since the officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) have assured the Union to start the work in repairing the national highway but the road condition is still in a deplorable state and work is yet to commence.

The potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces have not only made it hazardous for commuters but have also caused damage to vehicles and led to frequent accidents.

He said as a vital arterial road connecting important states of the northeast region and taking into consideration the economic loss that will occur if not attended to, it is imperative that NH-6 is maintained and upgraded promptly to ensure the safety and convenience of the public.

“In light of these concerns, the union request your intervention in speeding up the work with an update on the actions taken to address the dilapidated condition of NH 6,” Suchen said in the memorandum.

The KSU has also sought information on the details of the planned maintenance activities, including repair schedules, resurfacing plans, and any other relevant measures that are being undertaken to rectify the deteriorating condition of NH 6.

The government is also urged to furnish information regarding the budget allocated to NH 6 and the utilization of those funds for maintenance and improvement purposes. “We as a union are interested in understanding the investment being made to ensure long-term durability and quality of the road,” Suchen said.

He said that the Union would also appreciate if the government could provide a realistic timeline for the completion of the proposed repairs and improvements.

“We would also like to seek clarification on the quality assurance measures being implemented to ensure that the repairs and improvements made to NH 6 are of the highest standards, providing a sustainable and long-lasting solution,” he said while adding that the significance of NH 6 in facilitating smooth transportation and boosting economic activities in the region will be affected if no action is taken.

Meanwhile, the KSU-EJHDU also asked the government to consider the urgent need for a traffic branch in East Jaintia Hills district.

Suchen said while numerous initiatives have been undertaken to address the growing challenges related to traffic management across various districts, the lack of a dedicated Traffic Branch in East Jaintia Hills District has led to significant issues and concerns for the residents.

He said the rapid growth in population and economic activities in the district has led to an exponential increase in vehicular traffic. The absence of appropriate traffic management mechanisms has caused severe congestion on major roads, thereby hampering the smooth flow of both vehicular and pedestrian movement.

“A dedicated Traffic Branch would enhance road safety measures by conducting regular patrols, implementing road safety campaigns, and issuing fines for violations,” he further asserted.

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.

Meghalaya to host G20 meet

The Meghalaya government is all set to host the G20 meeting which will be attended by 120 delegates in Shillong from April 15 to 17

After chairing a meeting with different departments here today, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said, “I am happy to inform you that we are more or less ready for welcoming the G20 meeting which is scheduled to be held in Shillong from April 15 to 17.”

“More or less 120 delegates will be attending the meeting to be held at Marriott hotel,” he added.

Tynsong also informed that the issue of traffic congestion was also discussed and instruction has been given to the concerned department to work out all the details relating to the roads to be used by VVIPs.

“All concerned departments have been instructed and now the work is on-going and we will be able to complete it on or before 15 of this month,” he said.

Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister assured that the law and order situation is okay and said, “those VVIPs who are reaching Shillong will be happy and this will be also a pride for the state of Meghalaya.”

Govt had appealed for prospective implementation of roster system

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today said that the state government had pleaded before the Meghalaya High Court to allow implementation of the roster system ‘prospectively’.

“After the High Court has given its ruling in 2022, we have filed an affidavit (on this matter) not less than three times where we pleaded with the High Court to allow us (government) to implement the roster system prospectively not retrospectively,” Tynsong told reporters.

“But the High Court at that point in time insisted us that it should be implemented retrospectively meaning from the inception of the state reservation policy,” he said when responding to a query with regards to the demand of the Voice of the People Party to put on hold implementation of the roster system pending the review of the state reservation policy.

Tynsong however informed that the government would soon convene a cabinet meeting and an All-party meeting to discuss the roster system.

“Again we are waiting for the chief minister to reach Shillong and we will call a meeting, we will have a cabinet meeting and also we will have an all-party meeting with all responsible leaders and we will share and will discuss how to go forward,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said, “I have no right to reply on behalf of the High Court but that’s what I am saying the point is very clear that we pleaded already as we wanted to implement it prospectively but the high court insisted and said on record that it should be implemented from the inception of reservation policy. So as of today, it stands like that.”

Govt to advertise police recruitment soon

Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today said the government will soon advertise another 1500 posts for recruitment in the police department.

“We are going to again advertise for another 1500 manpower which is required in the police department alone,” Tynsong told reporters.

He said the process of recruitment will start very soon and the government will ensure that such vacancies are filled up within this year itself.

Earlier, Tynsong informed that the personal interview for over 1000 plus vacant posts will be held within the next 3-4 days.

Tynsong debunks report of assault on church leaders

Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said there has been no physical attack on the two church leaders from Shillong in Bihar and that they are safely returning to the state.

Speaking to media persons, Tynsong said immediately after receiving information about the incident at Patna, where Rev RG Laloo and church elder T Nongkhlaw were on a mission field visit and that some kind of argument had taken place, he had instructed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to communicate with the counterpart in Bihar to know what happened and to ensure the safety of the two church leaders.

He said immediate action was taken after information was received that the church leaders were being beaten up by a mob in Patna.

“But I am telling you nothing happened like that as per the information received and everything is fine. Ultimately all the groups went to the police station. Our intervention reached also at that point in time to the police station and now that case has been closed and it has been resolved among those people with the pastor and church elder,” Tynsong said.

The Deputy Chief Minister informed that an FIR has been filed by the two church leaders even as he reiterated that there has been no physical attack on them and that it was just a heated argument.

He informed that security has been given to the two church leaders at the airport and they are returning to the state tonight.

Expressing concern over the negative news on the incident being spread in social media, Tynsong said this may lead to communal tension in the state especially in Shillong City.

“Therefore, I would like to request all those concerned to kindly refrain from (spreading false news on social media) as the government has taken serious note of the incident. I have already spoken to the office of the chief minister and deputy chief minister in Patna and everything is fine. There is nothing to worry as both of them are returning tonight,” he said.

Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills SP Sylvester Nongtnger informed that with regard to the news circulating in social media of two church elders from Shillong being assaulted in Bihar, it may be informed that on receiving information of the same, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna and the Superintendent of Police (City) East Patna were contacted by East Khasi Hills Police and the Director General of Police, Meghalaya where it was gathered that at around 1.30 pm today, rumours had spread of some conversion going on in a house after which people had gheraoed it leading to an altercation and manhandled the occupants present therein.

He said that the police from Alamganj PS arrived there to contain the situation and escorted the two people to the thana for safe protection.

“Bihar Police had been communicated to give all the security and protection for their onward journey to Shillong and have escorted them to the airplane,” the SP said while informing that legal action has been taken by Bihar Police against the miscreants.