Rikman takes charge as new BJP Meghalaya president

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 3: Rikman G Momin today took over charge as the new BJP state president in Meghalaya and termed his job as very challenging.

“I am taking charge as the state president. I am ready to strengthen the party with the help of all karyakartas,” Momin told reporters. 

On the other priorities, the new state president said, “My duty is to strengthen the party, my job is to look after the party other than that what will I have?”

Momin also termed the president’s post as very challenging and said, “We have two MLAs. It is a team work but our vote share has already gone up significantly. Next time, we will try to win more than two seats.”

He informed that the state party is waiting for the order of the central leadership to start the preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to be held next year.

Further, Momin claimed that in people’s minds, there is still hope for the BJP because Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working for the poor people. 

He said the party under his leadership will ensure the central schemes reach the entire state of Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, the state president said that the party has zero tolerance against corruption adding that the party will continue to raise questions against any allegation of corruption against the MDA government.

“Regarding MDA it is part and parcel of the party so in case if there is any allegation there is a platform to question it,” he added.

Former state president Ernest Mawrie said, “My term is over and I have completed my term very successfully and changing of the state president has taken place in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Puducherry.”

He said it is the rule of the party that when his term is over the new president will take over while denying the allegation that his removal was due to too many complaints against him. 

Mawrie said he will continue to work for the party.

“I will continue to be a party karyakarta. I will work with the president along with the MLA and party. We will work on how to win the election,” he said.

Meanwhile, the former state president informed that the party has decided to strengthen its organization as part of preparing for the Lok Sabha election. 

“We have decided this time we are serious we want to win all 25 seats. Some states are NEDA alliance but some states are all BJP. We want to win so that we can bring more development to the NE,” he added.

HYC seeks action against culprits involved in ‘harassment’ of church leaders

The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) today demanded from the state government to take up the matter with the government of Bihar to punish those who were involved in manhandling two religious leaders from the state.

Speaking to media persons, HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin said that it is unacceptable for certain groups in Bihar to manhandle two religious leaders from Meghalaya as the constitution of India allows any religion to go for any religious activity.

Kharjahrin said that in Meghalaya every religion be it Christians, Hindu or Muslim has their own rights to do their own activity and nobody has ever interfered hence, the same spirit should be upheld and accepted in all parts of India.

“The constitution of India has given a religious right to all the people to go for any religious activity and there is no law yet to stop this, so we request the government of Meghalaya to pursue the matter with the government of Bihar so that those who were involved in manhandling two religious leaders from the state should be a book as per law,” said Kharjahrin.

Kharjahrin said that the HYC also demanded from the Home Ministry government of India to ensure that this should not happen in the future and it should ensure the safety and security of all religious communities across the country.

On the other hand leaders of the HYC urged that people of the state to not respond irresponsibly to such reports without knowing the full side of the story as it might lead to misunderstanding among other communities.

Church Leaders Forum expresses concern

The Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders’ Forum (KJCLF) has expressed concern about the situation in Bihar where a Christian Pastor and a Church elder from Shillong had encountered some incidents of hostility and aggression which could have put them in grave danger.

“We initiated prayers and intercessions for their welfare and safety and are thankful that no harm has befallen on them as we also received information that they are returning back home,” Secretary of the Forum Rev Dr Edwin H Kharkongor said in a statement here.

He said the KJCLF denounces the perpetration of violence against the Christian Mission workers, and expresses its appreciation to those responsible in the administration of both the States for the efficient communication between them and sorting the situation out in proper manner.

Meanwhile, the Forum also appealed to social media users to restrain from spreading news which has the propensity to provoke unwanted reactions.

Moreover, in supporting the work and services of Churches and Christian Mission organisations, the Forum also called on all concerned to be aware of local prevailing situations while fulfilling their mission work in other parts of the country.

When two days ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited a Christian place of worship on Easter Sunday the Forum appealed to those in authority in the country to see that peace and harmony prevail in society.