Sohiong polls: TMC candidate condemns rival’s statement

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate from Sohiong constituency, Stoding Thabah today condemned the statement made by NPP candidate on religious leaders at one of his political campaigns.

Speaking to media persons, Thabah alleged that the NPP candidate Samlin Malngiang in one of his campaigns has made ill statements against religious leaders of one particular faith, stating that pastors never practice what they preached.

The TMC Sohiong Block condemns the statement made by the NPP candidate and at the same time demands public apology for his statement.

The TMC candidate expressed confidence in winning the Sohiong polls and he claimed that sympathy votes will not play a big role as the UDP candidate Synshar Kurbah was against late HDR Lyngdoh during the 2018 election.

HQ 101 Area Shillong celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Indian Army’s Headquarters 101 Area, Shillong celebrated its Diamond Jubilee today.

The day commenced with a solemn ceremony paying tributes to the Brave Hearts at the Shillong War Memorial, Rhino Prerna Sthal, by Lieutenant General RP Kalita, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C) Eastern Command, Indian Army.

Major General RK Jha, Officiating General Officer Commanding (GOC) 101 Area and all soldiers of Headquarters 101 Area also paid tributes to those who had given their all for the Nation.

101 Communication Zone, as it was then called, was raised in the wake of the Chinese aggression, on 22 Apr 1963 for provision of logistic support to all formations and units in the Northeast Region. HQ 101 Area has a historically unique distinction of having taken part in active combat operations despite being a logistic formation. It undertook Counter-Insurgency operations in Mizoram from 1966-69.

During 1971 war, HQ 101 Area took part in operations in Sylhet and Mymensingh districts of erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and was the first formation to reach Dacca on the morning of 16 December 1971 leading to surrender by Pakistan that afternoon, earning it the name First in Dacca.

Over time, 101 Area has evolved to provide logistic support in remote and challenging terrain in border areas across entire North Eastern region. It has contributed immensely in Nation building aiding infrastructure development, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring outreach to remote villages.

While conveying his compliments on the occasion, the GOC-in-C Eastern Command addressed all soldiers of 101 Area and complimented them for carrying forward the legacy of dedicated service to the Nation. To commemorate the formations 60 glorious years of service to the Nation, release of a special cover and stamp were also a part of the festivities. The unveiling of busts of Major General Gurbaksh Singh Gill and Major General Gandharv Nagra, who were GOCs of 101 Area during 1971 war and helped curate the resounding Indian Army victory in 1971 war, was also another highlight of the festivities.

Lt Gen RP Kalita also flagged in the Rhino Riders Motorcycle Rally organised by Headquarters 101 Area. The rally was flagged off on April 9 by the Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan, from Rhino Training Complex Shillong. The motorcycle rally team travelled though Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh celebrating the spirit of patriotism in the year of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. They also interacted with the youth, veterans and Veer Naris.

BJP for better education in Sohiong

Candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Seraph Eric Kharbuki has assured to fight for a degree college and a residential school in Sohiong constituency if elected as MLA in the upcoming election to be held on May 10.

Spelling out his priorities, Kharbuki told reporters today that his decision to contest in the up-coming is to become a leader or a people’s representative who will frame laws and policy and not merely a leader who is only concerned in distributing MLA schemes.

Kharbuki said that his objective of contesting the by-election is to serve the public of the constituency especially when it comes to education and to able to come up with policy that will benefit the farmers of the constituency and the state as whole

He added that he had vision for the need to have a degree college in Lum Diengiei and an Eklavya Residential School.

“Apart from schools and colleges in the constituency, I have also listed out in the manifesto to have a agriculture and horticulture office, state bank of India and Apex bank in Lum Diengiei, to promote tourism and sports in the constituency by constructing two mini stadium” said Kharbuki.

Kharbuki also stressed on the need to legalize direct funding through corpus funds to all Dorbar Shnong in order to implement various developmental schemes in all villages and to install street lights in various important localities in the constituency.

NPP in talks with PDF MLAs over merger

National People’s Party (NPP) National President and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma have informed that discussions with the two legislators of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) for merging with the party are on.

“Discussions will take place but as I said there is no final conclusion or anything yet. Therefore, we will wait and see when the time comes,” Sangma told reporters today.

Currently, the PDF has two MLAs – Banteidor Lyngdoh and Gavin M Mylliem- in the assembly.

If the proposed merger takes place, the strength of the National People’s Party will increase to 28 in the current 59-member House.

Earlier, Lyngdoh, who is also PDF working president had said, “Talks are on to merge with the NPP. We will take a call at the right time.”

Talks are on to merge the People’s Democratic Front, an ally of the ruling coalition in Meghalaya, with the NPP ahead of the May 10 poll to Sohiong assembly seat where election was adjourned in February, a PDF leader said on Thursday.

When asked, Lyngdoh said he cannot say anything further as decisions will not be taken by him alone.

Dry days declared in Sohiong

In view of the adjourned poll to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the Deputy Commissioner (Excise) of East Khasi Hills district has declared May 8, 9 and 10, 2023 as dry days.

This is on account of these being the pre-polling and polling days. Also May 13 has been declared as a dry day on account of being the day of counting of votes.

This order is applicable in all areas falling under Sohiong (ST) Assembly Constituency.