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.

Synshar files nomination, confident of victory

Candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh filed his nomination today and expressed confidence to win the Sohiong seat in the upcoming election slated to be held on May 10.

Synshar was accompanied by UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh, party leaders and supporters at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The election in Sohiong was adjourned following the demise of his uncle and former home minister and contesting candidate of the UDP, (L) HDR Lyngdoh on February 20.

Synshar will be contesting against NPP’s Samlin Malngiang, who resigned as HSPDP MLA ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls.

Speaking to media persons, Synshar said, “Today is a special day and also an acute moment of nostalgia remembering my uncle late HDR Lyngdoh who was here two months ago filing his nomination papers. He was a popular figure and a legend in this field. His death is a big loss to the family to the party to the state.”

“I am here as his replacement. I am here as a continuation of his work and his legacy,”  he added.

Expressing confidence to win the Sohiong seat, Synshar said, “One important thing the people of Sohiong constituency are praying every day and wants to produce a lawmaker and not just a legislator, a legislator who will speak in the Assembly, a legislator who will voice out the people’s pain and grief. The youth are angry, people are watching. I am being watched as I speak. Serious bills and subjects are being moved in the Assembly like in the last session.”

He continued: “We need intellectuals to speak and debate for better laws, for the betterment, for the future, for the security, for the safety and for the welfare of the people of the constituency and the state and also for ‘jaidbynriew’.”

The UDP candidate refused to comment on the performance of the former MLA Samlin Malngiang and said, “I am looking at myself, I am confident that I will win this election.”

“My uncle had stated that he will repair the damage done by the ex-MLA and I too will be a continuation of his work, I will carry forward his legacy,” he said.

Metbah sure of victory

United Democratic Party chief Metbah Lyngdoh has claimed that the people of Sohiong will ensure victory for the party candidate Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh in the upcoming election to the Sohiong seat, which will be held on May 10.

“We are very confident (to win the Sohiong seat). This is as per inputs from the people at the grassroot level, who would like to see that this time the UDP occupy the Sohiong seat,” Lyngdoh told reporters today.

He said that even people who were against the UDP in the previous elections have now made up their mind to support the candidate of the party.

Metbah said that the reason is because the people of Sohiong want to repay back their former MLA late HDR Lyngdoh for his contributions to the constituency for 25 years.

“HDR Lyngdoh was a hardworking legislator, who wanted to fulfil the aspirations of the people. Apart from his contributions, we are also lucky to get his nephew Synshar as our candidate as he has all the qualities of a good legislator,” he added.

Meanwhile, the UDP chief maintained that winning the Sohiong seat will no doubt increase the strength of the party to 12 in the 60-member House.