CAA a closed chapter for Meghalaya: BJP

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 15: BJP state president Rikman G Momin today said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a closed chapter for Meghalaya since Sixth Schedule areas of the state have been exempted from its purview.

Addressing media persons, Momin expressed gratitude to the government of India and especially PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for respecting the sentiments of the tribal people by exempting the Sixth Schedule areas from the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019.

“In the original Act of 1955, Sixth Schedule areas exemption was not there. This was introduced in 2019 Act by the BJP Government. BJP cares about the well-being of the tribals and so introduced this exemption. The BJP Government believes in taking everyone together though the Act was passed in 2019, the government deliberated four years before notifying rules,” he said.

“Such steps taken by the centre reassures the commitment of the Modi led government to uplift the lives of the tribal community through various governmental schemes,” Momin said while adding “Now that Meghalaya stands exempted from CAA it is pointless for those opposing to beat around the bush but as citizens of this great nation we should all work towards its progress and prosperity.”

Further, Momin informed that just recently Rs 15000 crore has been earmarked to upgrade the Umroi to Silchar road from two lanes to 4 lanes which testifies the pro people pro development agenda of the Modi government and the state unit of BJP calls upon the people of Meghalaya to support the candidates set up by the party for the coming Lok Sabha elections so that Meghalaya as a state can reap more benefits by sending two BJP MP’s this time around.

KHADC issues 263 building permissions

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: Executive Member (EM) in-charge of Building of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Teibor Pathaw today informed that 263 building permission has been issued by the department.

Replying to the query raised by leader of opposition Titosstarwell Chyne, pathaw also informed that 174 applications are being examined by the department.

Pathaw said that the department has constituted a committee consisting of engineers and experts to examine all the applications and building design before giving permission to those applicants.

He added that even though engineers and most experts are from within the state, yet the department is taking help from other experts from outside the state to examine building designs which are of bigger size.

“Apart from the 263 Building Permission granted to applicants, the department is still examining the remaining 174 applicants which were submitted to the department in the year 2022-2024.

Taking part in the question hour, MDC of Mylliem Ronnie V Lyngdoh had suggested the executive member (EC) to not issue permission for any construction near water bodies as this will pollute the water bodies.

In his reply, EM in-charge Teibor Pathaw had assured the house that the department is closely working with the notification of the Meghalaya Court which prohibits construction of such buildings near water bodies.

HPC writes to Shah on Sweepers’ Colony issue

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: The Harijan Panchayati Committee (HPC) today sought the intervention of the union home minister Amit Shah for resolving the case of the Punjabi colony in a tripartite manner.

The committee has also urged the Centre to investigate the recent IED bomb blast and the threats, which foster an environment of fear among the non-tribal populations.

“We seek your immediate intervention in taking up the case of the Punjabi colony in a tripartite manner with the government of Meghalaya,” HPC secretary Gurjit Singh said in a letter to Shah.

He said that the case concerning the rights and residence of our community members is currently subjudice, with ongoing efforts between the Government of Meghalaya, Harijan Panchayat Committee and other stakeholders to reach an amicable resolution.

“Despite numerous meetings and dialogues, tangible progress has been elusive. Even the promise of intervention by the Government of India, made in the waste of previous tensions, remains unfulfilled. We are confident that if the Union government takes the initiative to resolve the matter, it should be easily possible,” Singh said.

Stating that the recent blast was a deliberate attempt to derail the fragile peace process, the HPC secretary said, “This incident is not isolated but is indicative of the larger issue of communal harmony and the safety of minority communities within the state of Meghalaya. The arrests in the case are indicative of acts of elements instilling fear and attempting to overawe the beleaguered residents of Punjabi colony.”

“We bring to your notice with deep concern that nobody from the government of Meghalaya – from the chief minister downwards has condemned the incident so far. The political leadership, which generally issues statements against Punjabi colony residents at the drop of a hat, have not uttered a word or visited the area to express concern about the blast or support to the residents,” he said.

Further, Singh informed that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the National Commission of Minorities, the National Commission for Human Rights and other bodies have paid visits to the Punjabi lane as the Sikhs continue to fight for their legitimate rights.

“We, therefore, urge the Union Government of India, under your leadership, to take immediate and decisive action. It is imperative to not only investigate this recent act of violence thoroughly but also to hold accountable those who have been issuing threats and fostering an environment of fear among the non-tribal populations. We believe that peace and order can be restored with swift action against the mischief-makers, rather than allowing such critical issues to be brushed under the carpet,” he said.

He said that “the residents of Punjabi colony seek nothing but to live in peace and harmony, contributing to the society and economy of Meghalaya as we have done for generations. The current state of fear and insecurity hampers not only our well-being but also the broader societal cohesion and development of the state.”

He said that the Union government is duty bound to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights and safety of all its citizens, regardless of their ethnic or communal backgrounds.

“Your immediate attention and intervention in this matter will not only ensure the safety of the residents of Punjabi colony but also send a strong message against communal violence and intolerance,” the letter stated.

Meghalaya Police bust HNLC sleeper cell in Nongpoh; Bids to stage more IED blasts foiled

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: The state police today busted an active sleeper cell of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and foiled its attempt to explode more IEDs in Shillong and Nongpoh town.

Four persons were arrested from Ri Bhoi district. They have been identified as Damanbha Ripnar alias Shall Lapang, Robinis Ripnar, Jill Tariang and Shining Nongrum.

“A joint operation of East Khasi Hills DEF and Ri Bhoi DEF, Meghalaya police was able to foil the bid of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to explode another IED,” Ri Bhoi SP Jagpal Singh Dhanao said.

He said on Monday evening at about 6 pm, one Bolero Pick-up vehicle (ML-12-3243) driven by Damanbha Ripnar was detained at Umsning-Mawhati road.

On the voluntary leading of the accused Damanbha Ripnar, one IED was recovered from the above-mentioned vehicle by Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad (BDDS) from Shillong after observing all the safety protocols.

“Till filing of this report one active sleeper cell of HNLC consisting of 4 accused persons has been busted thereby foiling their attempt to explode more IEDs in Shillong and Nongpoh town,” the SP said. “It is to be mentioned that this sleeper cell was taking directions from Bangladesh based proscribed HNLC fugitives,” he added.

Police have also seized 15 gelatin sticks, 167 splinters (shrapnel inside the IED), 1 safety fuse wire, 3 numbers of non-electric detonators and 5 mobile phones during the operation.

A criminal case has been registered with the Nongpoh police station.

On Sunday, two including an HNYF leader were arrested for their involvement in the IED bomb blast at Them Iew Mawlong.

Copies of Citizenship Amendment Rules torched in Shillong

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: Copies of the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024 were burnt in Shillong today as a mark of protest against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act in the North Eastern region.

Organized by the North East Students’ Organization (NESO), the protest was participated by leaders and activists of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP).

This came a day after the Government of India (GOI) notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 under the CAA, 2019, which seeks to allow members of six minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to get Indian citizenship.

Speaking to reporters, Chairman of NESO Samuel B Jyrwa said not only in Shillong but in different parts of the whole NE region, different student organizations are burning the CAA rules, which was notified by the GOI yesterday, as a mark of protest against the implementation of the CAA in the NE region.

“Since the passage of the Act in December 2019, we thought that the GOI after four years will take into account the concerns, the apprehensions of the people of NE region but we are very disappointed that the GOI did not take into account the apprehensions and the objections of the indigenous people of the NE but instead went ahead with the notifying of the rules for the implementation of the CAA in the whole of India and also in the NE region,” Jyrwa said while adding that this is against the interest of the indigenous people of the NE region.

“We are burning the rules to send a clear message to the GOI that the indigenous people of NE region are against the implementation of the CAA,” he added.

Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma has said that the CAA will not have much impact on Meghalaya since Sixth Schedule areas of the state have been totally exempted from the purview of the Act.

Jyrwa however said, “Well we cannot live in isolation as a NE region even though in Meghalaya, only the Sixth Schedule areas are being exempted, in Tripura, the Sixth Schedule areas are exempted and in Assam, the Karbi Anglong areas, Dima Hasao and the Boro areas are being exempted and the ILP states like Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur are also exempted but the main state of the NE region, which is Assam all the other areas of Assam are not exempted from the purview of the CAA and if Assam is affected slowly, gradually the other NE states will also be affected.”

“Just take for example even without the CAA here in the state of Meghalaya, we have seen the foreigners, non-indigenous people how they have become majority in many places especially here in Shillong and the border areas,” he said.

Further, the NESO chief reminded that the Sixth Schedule does not talk about migration and does not have any power to regulate migration.

“That is why we feel the power to regulate migration is with the state government and the central government. The State government has enacted the MRSSA in which as of now the High Court has stayed the implementation of the MRSSA and the ILP, the government of India has not granted for implementation of the ILP, that is why we are against implementation of the CAA,” he said.

Jyrwa said that the NE states have taken the burden of illegal migration from Bangladesh since 1947 continuing till 1971 and all those years, people from Bangladesh have migrated to the different NE region adding “We have taken that burden and the NE region and its indigenous people cannot take that burden anymore.”

The chairman of NESO said that the organization will continue to hold peaceful democratic protests in the streets against the CAA.

He also informed, “But at the same time we have also taken legal recourse in which we have filed a petition in the Supreme Court since January 2020 and we have firm faith and believe that the Supreme Court of India will give justice to the apprehensions, to the concerns and to the welfare of the indigenous people of the NE region.”

Slamming the Centre for the political injustice against the NE region, Jyrwa said, “Since 1947, what we have had is only political injustice. The Instrument of Accession in which the Government of India forced our chiefs to sign at that time, that also they did not honour till today. And in 1971, the GOI sent all the refugees to the different parts of the NE region without the consent of the indigenous people of those respective states and we have seen the illegal migration that is coming from Bangladesh and the GOI has only perpetrated the political injustice to the indigenous people of the NE region, that is why the indigenous people of the NE region does not feel close to the GOI to the mainland India, the alienation is getting bigger day by day because of the political injustice is being perpetrated by the GOI against the welfare of the indigenous people of the NE region.”

Sixth Schedule areas exempt from CAA, clarifies CM Conrad Sangma

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will not have any impact on Meghalaya since the entire Sixth Schedule areas have been exempted from its purview.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that the question of the Government of India (GOI) coming up with the rules those are procedures that are followed by the GOI.

“But from Meghalaya’s point of view it doesn’t really impact us much because the Sixth Schedule areas are completely exempted from the CAA and hardly we say 99.9 % but it is actually 99.9999% it is a small section which is non-schedule area but apart from that the entire Sixth Schedule area has been exempted so it will not have any impact on the state of Meghalaya,” he said.

On government to continue pursuing Centre to fully exempt Meghalaya from the CAA, Sangma said, “There is hardly municipal area of 2-3 or this entire European ward of 2sq km or 1sq km or whatever it is really not a big impact as the entire of the state is exempted from it.”

“I think we are looking at that one dot which is there and not realising that the rest of 99.9999 per cent is not included, that is what is important to note. That one dot is there because of a technical issue otherwise the entire Sixth Schedule area is exempted from the CAA,” he added.

(Image Courtesy: Live Law https://images.app.goo.gl/SLqi2j8ZF6q83Xhv6)

Meghalaya Govt close to solving Sweepers’ Colony imbroglio

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the government is very close to finding a solution in regards to the long pending issue of relocating the 342 families from Sweepers’ Colony.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said, “We are very close to finding a solution and we will finally be able to take the last bit of actions that are left to be taken and resolve this at the earliest.”

“We are almost at the point where we are close to resolution and the citizens must appreciate that and I am sure most appreciate it but let me assure the citizens also that we are on this,” he added.

His statement came two days after the incident of IED explosion at Sweepers’ Colony and the allegation that the area has become an eyesore to the people of the state.

Sangma said that the people and the state will appreciate that for the first time actually there has been a serious move by any government to relocate the residents from the area.

“When we are trying to address a complex situation like this, there are complexities that we come up with. Therefore obviously, we would want things to happen in the next 24 hours but there is a reason why it has not happened during the last 50 years because of the different complications that were there and you must appreciate the kind of efforts and the work that is going on to resolve this in the most amicable manner,” he said.

Stating that there are many factors affecting the issue, the CM said, “It is easy for anybody to say solve it today, solve it tomorrow or day after but you need to look back at the history and realise that this is a very complicated problem and situation with many different angles to it, many legal issues around it and we have to work around all these issues taking into account all the sentiments and everything and come up with a solution that is going to be the most appropriate and most acceptable and most amicable in nature and hence, it does require time.”

“Therefore, in spite of all the efforts that we put in, we need to realise that these kinds of situations will require time to resolve,” he added.

Pyniaid presents Rs 433410 deficit budget for KHADC

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 11: Chief of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Pyniaid Sing Syiem today presented a Rs 4,33,410 deficit budget for the financial year 2024-2025.

Presenting the budget estimates during the first day of the council’s budget session, Syiem said, “There is a deficit in the budget estimate since the proposed expenditure at Rs 329,07,00,710 is higher than the council’s revenue receipts which is at Rs 329, 02, 67,300 .”

He however assured the house that the executive committee (EC) will try its best to find out ways and means to improve the revenue collection of the Council.

Syiem said the expenditure and receipts of the Council in the last budget of 2023-24 will however reflect in the budget for 2025-26 as the calculation is yet to be received.

The budget allocation will help in disbursing the salaries of members of the council, chairperson, deputy chairman, leader of opposition, executive members (EMs), officers and staff of the different departments (executive, legislative and judicial) of the Council.

The chief executive member also highlighted the steps taken by the executive committee during 2023-24 for improving the functioning of the council and its revenue generation capacity.

These include the passing of the Administration of Elaka (Amendment) Bill, 2023, United Khasi Jaintia Hills District Fishery (Amendment)Bill, 2023 and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

He said the issuing of building permission of the executive committee through the Khasi Hills Building and Structure Regulatory Authority (KHBSRA) has to a great extent address the problems faced by the people and the revenue collected from the building permission has also helped improve the council’s exchequer.

Syiem said that the council is facing some problems in regards to the issuing of Land Title Right Certificate due to some notification of the state government.

“We are taking up the matter with the state government and we hope that it will be resolved very soon since the fees collected from the issuing of land title right certificate will also add to the revenue of the council,” he said.

He also informed that the executive committee has been proactive in checking against illegal trading by non-tribal.

Further, Syiem informed that the release of grants under the Finance Commission has been slow due to change in the implementation of the schemes. “The EC has recently uploaded all schemes in the e-Gram Swaraj portal and we hope that the government of India will soon release the funds to the council under the urban local bodies,” he said.

He also announced that the council will start maintaining land records under its jurisdiction with the help of the National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP).

Referring to the success of the recently concluded Monolith Festival, the CEM informed that the EC will soon introduce a Bill to ensure the festival is held once in a year for promoting and preserving the rich culture and heritage of the Khasi community.

Lymba arrested on false charges: HNLC

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 11: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) today accused the state police of arresting HNYF leader Tarzan Lymba on false charges that he was involved in the IED bomb blast at Them Iew Mawlong.

The outfit, however, did not claim responsibility behind the bomb blast incident on March 9. According to the outfit, the other arrested person identified as Ebakordor Nongpluh is a police informer.

In a statement, HNLC general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said, “The HNLC condemned the arrest of the HNYF member Tarson Lymba on false charges of being involved in the IED incident at Them Metor. This is an old, cheap tactic employed by the police when they fail to find any leads and resort to random arrests. Tarzan was only involved in the peace talks and is neither a cadre nor a supporter of the HNLC. He was simply accompanying Bah Sadon (HNYF president), the interlocutor in the peace talks.”

“If the peacemakers or interlocutors are harassed and arrested by the police force, who among the stakeholders will trust the system or the government when the HNLC comes back for peace talks?” he asked.

Nongtraw further alleged that “It is evident that the government has framed and killed Bah Cheris (outfit’s former general secretary), the messenger.”

“It’s a shame on Meghalaya politicians who are supposed to be the defenders of democracy, but now Meghalaya has become a plutocracy run only by plutocrats,” he said.

The HNLC leader said interestingly, another individual named Ebakordor Nongpluh was arrested in connection with this incident. “According to our information, Eba was just a police informer,” he added.

Stating that the HNLC is not against peace, Nongtraw said, “We are not the oppressors but the oppressed. If someone steals your land, do you think they will have peace? For the past 76 years, India has never experienced any peace, nor will she ever find it. Peace cannot be built on inequity, oppression, discrimination, unlawfulness, or treachery because there is no peace structured on injustice, betrayal, prejudice, illegality, or tyranny.”

“I have studied the history of Bharat, Your History , and it indicates that you are a murderer, an intruder, an invader, a burglar, a kidnapper, a liar,a lyncher, a rapist and a criminal. Moreover, you have consistently violated treaties and broken agreements in every princely state. It is contradictory for you to advocate for peace and non-violence, justice and democracy,” he said.

“Hynniewtrep politicians, unfortunately, have been influenced, manipulated, and coerced by our enemies and oppressors, and they function as agents and puppets for the Indian government. Your divide and use policy against our nation is something for which you will have to pay the price. Justice or else!” he added.

“You have been involved in fake encounters and the mutilation of our members. You killed Bah Cheris, kidnapped Sibsing Syiem, forced our leader Wickliff Syiem into exile, jailed, and tortured every Hynńiewtrep leaders that you don’t like. You may think we are afraid and that we will run away from you, but NO, we will run TO YOU,” Nongtraw concluded.

HNLC PSO under 14-days judicial custody

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 11: Arrested personal security officer (PSO) of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Storgy Lyngdoh has been sent to 14 days judicial custody.

Lyngdoh, who was arrested from Mawlynrei on March 2, was again produced before the Court today.

This was after completion of his 10 days of police custody.

Police have said that Lyngdoh, had served demand notes to extort money for the HNLC leading to widespread scare and fear psychosis to a number of businessmen of Shillong.

“As per inputs he might have succeeded in scaring and threatening individuals to submit to the illegal extorting demands,” police had said. During his arrest, one Bangladeshi SIM card was also recovered from him.

Lyngdoh is an active member of the HNLC with a close link to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the HNLC. He was also the PSO of A. Hazarika @ Manbhalang Jyrwa, the previous Vice Chairman of HNLC, who resigned during the process of peace talks.

In this connection, an FIR has been registered at Rynjah PS for further investigation into the matter, the SP said even as he added that as per the records of Meghalaya Police, Lyngdoh is involved in many criminal cases and was evading the due process of law.