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.
HNYF wants implementation of ‘prospective’ roster system
The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) today said implementation of the roster system should not be ‘retrospective’.
Speaking to media persons, HNYF president Sadon K Blah said the state government should come up with a policy which will ensure implementation of the roster system should be prospective and not retrospective.
He said that the Meghalaya High Court in its order passed on the matter did not talk about the roster system needing to be with retrospective effect.
On the demand for reviewing the state reservation policy, Blah said, “Constitutionally, the reservation policy was intended only for 10 years and many Supreme Court rulings say that reservation should not be beyond 50 per cent. So if we attempt to bring legislation to review the entire reservation, it might invite the attention of the judiciary and that will have a more negative impact on the issue.”
He also urged all concerned to be aware of the Supreme Court’s ruling when it comes to the reservation issue and to be aware of the temporary constitutional status of the reservation.
He said that if a resolution is passed in the Assembly, it will surely invite the attention of the judiciary, which had already maintained that reservation no matter what should not be more than 50 per cent.