Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtrya Salute at the ceremonial celebration of the 75th Republic Day at the Mini Stadium, Resubelpara, in North Garo Hills District.

Contingents taking part in the Republic Day parade were the Meghalaya police Battalion, NCC, Scouts & Guides of various schools and other schools of the district.

In his ceremonial speech, Dhar paid tribute to the national leaders, heroes of the soil, the other unsung heroes and the brave heart soldiers for their service to the nation.

The deputy chief minister highlighted various ongoing activities, and other developmental schemes being undertaken by the state government which were significant for the progress and prosperity of the state.

An appeal was made to work for close partnership between the government, the Meghalaya youth, women, farmers, entrepreneurs and traditional institutions for growth and development of the State.

Marking the celebration, tableau presentations by various departments showcasing departmental activities drew the attention of the crowd wherein the office of Soil & Water Conservation bagged the best tableau award. While the best March Past trophy was awarded to Resubelpara RMSA Secondary School.

Other highlights of the day were felicitation of the best employees of the district, ASHA award and athletes who brought laurels to the district during the 5th edition Meghalaya Games which concluded in Tura recently were also honoured with citations and trophies during the programme.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 1: Raj Bhavan Meghalaya, witnessed a spectacular display of the rich cultural heritage of India as Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Island, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry celebrated their Foundation Day in a programme held at the Durbar Hall. 

To mark the occasion a cultural evening was organized wherein the Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. 

The cultural evening witnessed enthusiastic performances showcasing the rich cultural traditions of the States and Union Territories. 

Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. B D R Tiwari, Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya, spoke at length about the uniqueness of each State and Union Territories and also pointed out the immense contributions made by them in the growth and progress of the nation.

In line with the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme of the Government of India, the Foundation Day of the of different states/UTs are celebrated in Raj Bhavans across the country in an effort to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people.

The programme was organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Shillong in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 22: The railway line from Dudhnoi to Mendipathar (18.87 kms) is functional in the State.

For the Tetelia-Byrnihat stretch (about 2.5 km) in Ri Bhoi district, the land acquisition is completed and handing over/taking over of the land was completed on November 17, 2014. This was informed by deputy chief minister in-charge transport Sniawbhalang Dhar in his reply tabled in the Assembly today.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 20: The Centre has approved 2 out of the 18 new border haats proposed by the State government.

This was informed by the deputy chief minister in-charge of commerce & industries Sniawbhalang Dhar in his reply to a starred question tabled in the Assembly today.

He informed that the proposed border haat at Haat Thangsngi in Umniuh Tmar, East Khasi Hills is yet to be approved by the Government of India.

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 proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has put forth its conditions for the peace talks.

Informing this, representative of the HNLC and president of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) Sadon K Blah said, “We cannot say that the talks have to be unconditional as there are conditions that we have put forward.”

“Talks cannot be hundred per cent unconditional because if it is unconditional we don’t need to talk. There are agendas like political issues and other issues concerning the stand of the HNLC which has been there for the last 35-37 years,” he added.

He said that the issue related to the Instrument of Accession (IOA) and Annexed Agreement (AA) is part of the negotiation.

Stating that the formal talks are yet to take off, Blah said, “Unofficial talks are on but formal talks on agendas are yet to take place. There are issues related to technicalities during the process and we are trying to resolve them.”

The representative of the outfit said that he cannot spell out the agendas of the HNLC as the same will be put forth only when the formal talks have started.

Blah asserted that amnesty is a must to take the peace process forward.

“Whatever criminal cases relating to these rebel groups in India and other parts of the world and in the North East also, waiving of criminal cases is an integral part within the amnesty,” he said while informing that they are yet to discuss amnesty at any level but once the formal talk is held then “we can deal with these criminal cases because the amnesty is a must”.

He further added, “Generally, if we look at the modalities of conducting this peace process in other parts of the North East, we find that amnesty must be there and some kind of ceasefire arrangement, then rehabilitation arrangement have to be there – these are the technicalities we are dealing with right now.”

Also stating that there have been no hurdles in the way of the peace process, the  HNLC representative said both the Centre and State governments are committed to starting the peace talks at the earliest.

“The government has already endorsed a safe passage for the leaders of the outfit who are part-taking in their entire process of peace,” he said.

“The former HNLC leader (L) Cheristerfield Thangkhiew has neither participated in the peace process at that point of time and secondly he was not a surrenderee, he was a retiree of the organization so it was not befitting for him also to claim for the rehabilitation as he has never surrendered and at that point of the time peace process was not in the process but it is befitting what he has done,” Blah said.

He however said that the HNLC is yet to discuss with regards to the rehabilitation package.

On the other hand, Blah said the peace talks are not an issue which decisions can be taken in haste.

“The struggle of the outfit has been there for almost 40 years and taking a hasty decision may lead to unnecessary situations,” he said while refusing to comment on the present strength of the outfit.