Need for Lokayukta to work fully: Mukul

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Feb 16: Former chief minister Mukul Sangma today emphasized the need to allow the Meghalaya Lokayukta to function to its full potentiality.

“What is the purpose of Lokayukta? The whole state wanted  at least something that will act as deterrence. Therefore, allow it to function to its full potentiality. Let everybody at least realises the existence of a deterrence,” Sangma told reporters.

“Now if it doesn’t perform, who will fear the law? Therefore, fear for law is crucial and the enactment of law is precisely for that purpose. It will ensure there is ultimate end result of enabling people to self regulate. When there is fear for law people will all be self regulated, when there is a fear for law, everybody including policy makers, we will all self-regulate,” he added.

On the recent removal of the three retired officials by the  Lokayukta, Sangma said, “What is the intention? Intention is more important. You have to be more analytical, you have to be more investigative then you will have the answer. What is the intention? Was there any malified intention behind? Was there any reason which necessitated the government to change people?

“You know the Lokayukta is doing its job. Number of issues of corruptions has been already taken up by Lokayukta so you can understand the magnitude of responsibility and therefore, magnitude of responsibility by everybody concerned. So the sole idea and purpose of Lokayukta and various other laws which have been enacted do have the same objective,” he said.

Sangma said, “So let see how we ultimately somehow instill this sense of responsibility in as far as politicians and all those responsible elected members of this House can really connect with this sole objective of the purpose for which we are here.”

Scuffle between NEHU students not communal

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) today said the recent scuffle among students residing in the hostel was in no way related to communal issues.

The Monday night incident, which involved a verbal altercation and physical confrontation among students residing in the hostel, was related to disagreements regarding the rules and regulations governing hostel life.

Immediate action was taken to diffuse the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of all students involved.

The Dean of Students Welfare, the Warden of Hostel 19 and the University’s Security Officer promptly arrived at the scene to pacify the situation and maintain order.

Furthermore, local law enforcement was notified of the incident, and they promptly arrived on the NEHU premises to assess the situation and assist in maintaining peace and order.

The NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof PS Shukla today convened a high-level meeting to address the incident comprehensively. The meeting was attended Registrar, the Dean of Students Welfare, Proctor, Security Officer, and the Warden of Hostel No. 19.

“The purpose of this meeting was to thoroughly discuss the matter and ensure that due disciplinary actions are taken in accordance with the rules and regulations of the University,” NEHU PRO Dr Davidson Pyngrope said in a statement.

“NEHU wishes to emphasize that the situation has been brought under control, and the incident was in no way related to communal issues, as falsely reported by various sources. The University remains committed to upholding a safe and inclusive environment for all students, and any breaches of conduct will be addressed with utmost seriousness and adherence to established protocols,” he said.

Meanwhile, NEHU urged all stakeholders, including staff, students, parents, and the general public, to rely on official statements and verified information provided by the University to avoid spreading baseless rumours or misinformation.

“The University remains dedicated to the holistic development and well-being of its student community and will continue to take all necessary steps to maintain a harmonious and conducive learning environment,” Prof Pyngrope said.