Meghalaya Govt to discuss MRSSA Bill with stakeholders

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 15: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong has informed that the state government will soon call a meeting with all stakeholders to discuss the letter of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which has returned the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Amendment Bill (MRSSAB), 2020.

Tynsong has informed this to a delegation of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), which met him today.

Addressing media persons, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem said that the delegation had sought an explanation from the government on the decision of the MHA and the status of the MRSSAB, 2020.

“During our discussion, the deputy CM has informed us that the MHA has indeed returned the Bill with an observation and a direction that the state government of Meghalaya should revisit the provisions of the Bill,” he said.

“As to what are the provisions that has to be revisited by the government, the deputy CM told us that the MHA has certain reservations when it comes to setting up of entry-exit points or the gates as per the provisions of the Act (because such) gates will create inconvenience to the visitors or the people who enter the state,” Synrem said.

He said, “Secondly, the MHA has reservation or has put a direction that any Bill or any Act which is made by the state government should not be against or in contravention against any Act passed by the parliament…so they should look into those two aspects.”

The HYC president said that the delegation has requested the deputy CM to provide a copy of the MHA letter so that they can also give suggestions to the government.

Synrem said that the deputy CM has also informed that the state government in the next few days will be calling a meeting with all stakeholders in order to discuss regarding the MHA letter.

“After we get the letter maybe we can give a proper suggestion to the government as to how the government should move forward,” he added.

Synrem said that he cannot comment any further on the MHA letter but the demand of the HYC is for the Governor to grant his assent to the MRSSAB, 2020 at the earliest.

“We have made two demands before the government – if you cannot give us ILP, give us MRSSAB but at the same time we understand that the Centre is a bit hesitant to give ILP, so we request the government that the amendment Bill should be passed but as far as we understand right now, the amendment Bill will take time because there should be a discussion as to how it should be streamlined so that the concerns raised by the MHA should not be a problem for the state to implement the Act,” he said.

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.

SDRF recovers mortal remains of landslide victim

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) recovered the body of the last victim of the landslide tragedy at Ryngngain in East Khasi Hills District on Sunday.

The body identified as that of late Krejunlang Khongjirem was trapped under the rubble of rocks and soil following the landslip incident which occurred last Friday.

The SDRF were pressed into action following a call from District police on Friday evening about the landslip incident at Ryngngain. On reaching the spot they were informed that 9 occupants who were sitting in the passenger vehicle had sustained minor injuries and were taken to Pynursla PHC.

However, another vehicle with 2 (two) occupants inside was knocked down off the road and had fallen into a deep gorge.

SDRF personnel were first able to recover the body of late Seiborlang Jaktung, the driver of the vehicle, in the afternoon of 15 April 2023 and with the help of local villagers they were able to bring back the body at around 2100 Hrs approximately and handed over the body to the police.

Two teams of SDRF personnel were deployed for the recovery operation at Ryngngain East Khasi Hills from the force headquarters at Mawdiangdiang.

The SDRF personnel worked in close cooperation with the local residents at Ryngngain to recover the bodies of the occupants of the second vehicle.

The recovery operation of the SDRF ended with the recovery of the second victim on Sunday.