Meghalaya Govt moving to address fire hazards

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 26: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong today chaired a meeting to review the fire incidents in the State.

Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said, “Few decisions were taken where ultimately I have asked the department concerned, the fire service IG in charge to submit all details, what are the challenges that we have whether in terms of maybe instruments or in terms of infrastructure or in terms of manpower, I have instructed him to submit it to the department to the government and we will see one by one to meet all those requirements at the earliest possible,” Tynsong said.

The meeting was held in view of the recent massive fire incident at Khyndailad.

On the fire safety auditing of buildings, the deputy CM said, “That is also part of the meeting. That is why I am telling you I have already told the fire service wings to submit all details which means recommendations, suggestions, views to the government and from there once I receive all these, I will call the meeting again. That is why I have already instructed the IG in charge of fire service to submit all those documents.”

Tynsong said, “I will again call a meeting (on the matter). We will discuss in the higher authority (on the) need to come up with (fire safety) policy and SOPs especially in the urban areas which I personally feel it is urgently needed. Once that is done I am sure we will come up with SOPs and notification accordingly so that we will do it at the earliest possible.”

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.