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.

The state government has decided to appoint temporary teachers in government lower primary schools, which are functioning without teachers.

Informing this here, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma said that there are more than 1002 vacancies in the government’s lower primary schools.

“In view of the delay in the recruitment of regular teachers, we have decided to appoint temporary teachers in such schools,” he said while adding all teachers to be appointed will be MTET passed.

The minister said the process of appointing regular teachers may take some time due to the preparation of the roster system.

“The education department and its officials are working day and night to complete the process of giving all data to the personnel department at the earliest but it is not easy,” he added.

He said that there are over 26 lower primary schools in South Garo Hills which are presently without teachers.

Meanwhile, the minister informed that the government will be constructing new school buildings for over 117 lower primary schools in the next 2-3 months and will be taking up repairs of over 1,000 schools.