Meghalaya Police arrest two in connection with Elius Rangdon murder case

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 21: Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the recent murder of one Elius Rangdon from Pahammawlein 20th Mile, Ri Bhoi District.

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This was informed by the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong.

A criminal case was registered at the Nongpoh police station and an investigation is in progress, he told the Assembly.

“The police are leaving no stone unturned, and they are working round the clock, towards ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are found and prosecuted as per law and that justice is delivered to the kin of the deceased victim,” Tynsong assured.

The body of Elius Rangdon was recovered at Kliar Niangbari under 20th Mile, Byrnihat on the evening of March 9.

The matter was informed to the police by the headman of 20th Mile Pahammawlein to the police of the Byrnihat outpost.

Elius Rangdon was found lying on the ground with grievous injury on the head.

An FIR was filed by his daughter Rakhel Suting on March 10.

Meghalaya Cabinet approves Bill to repeal Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance – 2.0 government in its first cabinet sitting today approved the Bill to repeal the much opposed Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021 in the Assembly’s budget session, which will commence from March 20.

 Three spokespersons of the government – Ampareen Lyngdoh, Paul Lyngdoh and Marcuise N Marak – were also appointed during the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at the Meghalaya Secretariat.

 All cabinet ministers attended the meeting but they are yet to be allotted portfolios.

 “As you are aware we have passed an ordinance to repeal the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021. Today, as the session is on we, are going to put it in the form of a Bill (so that) the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act will be repealed,” Sangma told reporters.

 The Chief Minister said the ordinance was passed when the session is not on to enforce a particular act. “The ordinance was cleared earlier but now that the session is on this is the correct platform now to regularize the repealing of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.”

 The decision was taken after stiff opposition was registered from several quarters of society including church leaders and NGOs.

 Sangma also informed that the cabinet has also approved the Contingency Fund of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2023.  

He further announced the cabinet’s decision to appoint three official spokespersons of the government and said, “Apart from myself and deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, we have decided that Ampareen Lyngdoh, Paul Lyngdoh and Marcuise Marak – will be the official spokesperson of the Cabinet.”

The Chief Minister said a full budget will be passed in the coming budget session adding that the business advisory committee (BAC) will meet on Monday to finalize the dates.

“It is healthy (to pass the budget before March 31). It is good to do it as we can start the work and process quickly as now if we go only for a vote on the account then it will be only for the first quarter and then we will have to meet again and so the full budget picture does not come. The team has been working in the last many months to complete the budget exercise which started a long time back even before the elections were announced. Therefore, the finance department is ready with a full budget,” he added.