Articles by "Meghalaya"
Showing posts with label Meghalaya. Show all posts

Hello Jammu News at 9:57:00 PM 0


Shillong, June 26 :   A Meghalaya Assembly Committee Wednesday told a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya to shut down as the school is releasing untreated water directly into Mawphlang dam which is the main water source for nearly four lakh people of Shillong.

The Meghalaya Assembly Committee on Environment which inspected the JNV at Mawphlang village, 25 km west of here on Tuesday, took the decision at a meeting held on Wednesday to review environment issues. It told the school authorities to shut down until remedial measures are taken, officials said.

The House panel chairperson S K Sun "The Committee has verbally informed the assistant commissioner of JNV Samiti that it has to close down the school till such time it makes the sewage treatment plant functional again." 

He said the sewage treatment plant at the school was found dysfunctional during an inspection conducted by the House panel on Tuesday.

The order may not affect the 400 school inmates much provided the authorities concerned rectify the technical glitches of the plant as the school is enjoying vacation at the moment, officials said.

"The students may get extended vacation period until the system is rectified," panel member H M Shangpliang said.

At the meeting the JNV principal feigned ignorance of the issue and passed the buck to the CPWD which set up the sewage treatment plant, according to Shangpliang.

The school, which has been functioning in the past few years from its permanent campus, is located just above the catchment area in Mawphlang and the reservoir is the lifeline for the residents of the state capital.

Meanwhile, the House panel has also directed the PHE and the Forest department to take necessary steps to declare the water reservoir as a national wetland area.

The Umiew Water Supply project has a catchment area of over 115 sq km area.

The House Committee on Environment has also decided to visit the industrial estates and the major factories in the state to find out if environmental guidelines were strictly adhered to, Shangpliang said.                                              [Agencies]
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 4:20:00 PM 0

Aizawl, Sep 29: The Mizoram unit of the National People's Party (NPP) was formally launched here Saturday by its president Conrad Sangma who is also Meghalaya Chief Minister.

The NPP is a north eastern and tribal-centric party with objectives to ensure that the voice of the region is heard by Delhi, Sangma told.

The party will contest the coming elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly due later this year, he said.

"We will fight the elections without forging any pre-poll alliance with other political parties," he said. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 1:38:00 PM 0
Shillong, Jun 27 : Meghalaya is slowly emerging as the transit point for distribution of heroin in the country, a senior police officer has said.

"With Shillong as the transit point, many players, some with militant background or affiliations, are involved in the drug trafficking business to fund their anti-social activities," East Khasi HIlls Superintendent of Police Davis Marak said.

He was addressing an event to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking here yesterday.

The rise in petty crimes in some areas has also been attributed to the growing numbers of drug users, particularly among the youth, who commit such crimes to satiate their cravings, Marak said.

Expressing concern over the fact that most traffickers come from low income families or those with a history of broken homes, the police officer stressed on the need to pay more attention to the youth and urged all stakeholders to work hand in hand with the police to curb the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The police, in its continued efforts to curb the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, is also organising a week-long awareness programme, beginning this week, in different localities, schools and colleges to create awareness, the SP said.

Earlier, Dr. Arvind Nongpiur, an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the NEIGRIHMS said, the use of illicit drugs begins at an early age.

"The inquisitiveness to experiment or succumb to peer pressure often leads adolescents to use drugs thereby preventing them from leading a healthy and productive life," he said.

Stressing that drug abuse is no longer considered just a social problem, Dr. Nongpiur said drug abuse is accepted as an illness and drug addiction can be treated with proper medical intervention.

A recovered drug addict also shared his long journey on the road to recovery.   PTI 
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 12:08:00 PM 0
Representational Image
Shillong, Jun 25 : Two school-dropouts have started a crusade to save the highly endangered Western Hoolock Gibbons, their habitats, and birds in the forests of the remote East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.

Armed with a loaned camera, the two are also taking pictures of birds found in the forests for documentation of the winged species in the Hima Malaisohmat area.

Hima Malaisohmat, bordering Bangladesh, has five villages and the forest there is home to the endangered Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape found in Indian subcontinent.

"These apes are a favourite target for hunters. A family of three gibbons was killed by an unidentified hunter last month," said Banshim Wanniang, 22, one of the two crusaders.

Wanniang took upon himself the task of protecting the wildlife in his Phlangwanbroi village, and his friend, Wallam Kharlyngdoh hailing from nearby Mawkasain village, joined him.

"It is very sad to see that the Hoolock Gibbons are disappearing at a very rapid rate from our forests. And so are our birds," said Wanniang.

With very little education, children of the villages are taught to hunt from an early age, and with no government intervention and rapid deforestation, the Hoolock habitats are disappearing at a fast rate, said Kharlyngdoh.

Wanniang and Kharlyngdoh told PTI that work is on to create awareness at the community level to conserve the wildlife and to provide alternative livelihoods to people so that they stop hunting.

The two dropped out of school when they were in class 11 and now work in betel nut firms located inside the forest.

Asked how they knew about conservation, they said they did not like killing of animals from their childhood, but the knowledge about conservation came after their visit to the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

"A team of hunters and community elders had visited Kaziranga in April. We were also in that team because of our interest in wildlife," Kharlyngdoh, 24, said.

The visit was organised by a wildlife enthusiast who does not wish to be named.

The team of around 30 people was taken to the park to learn how tourism could bring about a positive change of co-existence and conservation, Kharlyngdoh said.

Of those team members, the two were selected to undergo a month-long training at the Wildlife Conservation Society in Nagaland where they were trained in laying camera traps and basic wildlife photography.

"During the training, we learnt that there are at least 100 types of birds in our community forests and we have documented 25 of them," Kharlyngdoh said.

The two showed this correspondent at least 25 varieties of birds they had photographed and identified them with the help of a guide book.

Both the camera and the guide book were given to them by the wildlife enthusiast, who was behind the project.

"We want to document all the animals and birds in the forest and print the pictures to create awareness in the community and for tourism purpose," Wanniang said.

A senior wildlife official of the Forest department here told PTI on condition of anonymity that the department lacks manpower and resources for conservation.

He, however, appreciated the job of the two youths.PTI
Read more »
no image

Hello Jammu News at 1:19:00 PM 0

Shillong, Jun 8: The situation was returning to normal in trouble-torn Shillong and curfew relaxed for nine hours today, a week after assault of local boys and subsequent clashes between protesters and security forces shattered peace in the hill station.
Curfew was relaxed for nine hours today in the 14 affected areas of the state capital from 7 am to 4 pm with no incident of violence reported during the curfew hours for the fourth day today, East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner P S Dkhar said.
"The situation has returned to normal. Life and business is back as you can see around. Markets and taxis are plying normally," he said.
In rest of the city, curfew will be in force from 8 pm to 5 am as a preventive measure, he said.
The Meghalaya capital had been in the grip of violence since last week following clashes between local tribals and Punjabi residents.
The curfew at Punjabi Lane and in 13 other affected areas will be resumed at 4 pm as a precautionary measure, he said.
"We do not want the situation to relapse," he said, adding that heavy security forces have been deployed in vulnerable areas.
Messaging services had been restored briefly yesterday and authorities would decide whether mobile telephone services would be allowed, he said.
The state capital had been in the grip of violence following the assault of a bus handyman and his two friends by Sikh residents in Punjabi Lane area of the city.
The district authorities had ordered a magisterial inquiry headed by I Majaw to probe the incident and to identify rumour mongers inciting violence.
A high-level committee was also formed by the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government to find a permanent solution to the issue of relocation of the Sweeper Colony, inhabited by Punjabis.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who heads the committee, said yesterday that the panel would recommend a feasible and permanent solution to the state government for relocation of the colony, which has been a long pending issue. (PTI)
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 1:03:00 PM 0


Tura, Mar 3: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was leading in both the Assembly constituency – Ampati and Songsak – in the first round of counting of votes.
In Ampati assembly constituency, Dr Sangma is leading by 400 in a straight contest against BJP candidate Bakul Hajong, while in Songsak, he was leading by 1352 votes against National People’s Party candidate Nihim D.Shira.
Meanwhile, the ruling Congress is leading in 14 seats, NPP in 6, United Democratic Party and People;’s Democratic Front in 4 seats each. 
The BJP was leading in Dalu and Pynthorunkhrah assembly constituency After the first the round of counting, Dr Sangma has taken a lead by 716 against National People’s Party (NPP) The polling for the 59 Assembly seats out of 60 seats was held on February 37.
The polling for the 59 Assembly constituencies out 60, was held on February 27.
In Wlliamnagar constituency, the EC is yet to announce the dates, which was countermanded following death of a Nationalist Congress Party Candidate (NCP) Jonathone Sangma. UNI
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 4:18:00 PM 0


Tura, Meghalaya, Feb 20: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today took strong exception to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on lawlessness in Meghalaya .
Yesterday, Mr. Singh had attacked the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government for the chaos and failure of law and order in Meghalaya while commenting on the IED blast that killed Nationalist Congress Party candidate Jonathone N. Sangma, and three others at Samanda in East Garo Hills.
“It is the most irresponsible comment of a Home Minister of a nation. Has he forgotten his own responsibility?” the chief minister asked.
“He (Singh) is in a difficult terrain. Our proposal to strengthen police stations which was approved by the UPA-II Government had been withheld by the BJP government at the Centre,” Dr Sangma alleged, while expressing his anger on Singh’s statement.
The chief minister said though BJP had not paid much interest on the proposal of Meghalaya for improving police infrastructure, effort by the State Government led to the formation of Special Force – 10, wherein over 1700 personnel were recruited to tackle insurgency and law and order in the State.
Terming that Meghalaya government has never compromised on tackling insurgency and restoring peace, Dr Sangma questioned on the porous India – Bangladesh border, through which sophisticated arms, IEDs come to Indian side.
“In Nagaland arms are available freely. The international border is porous and the Union Minister is playing politics,” he added.
Dr. Sangma said that the Union Minister is 'threatening the people to vote for the BJP.'
“We are not beggars. Even without Centre’s assistance we have launched health insurance scheme of Rs 2.5 lakh in Meghalaya”, he said, while reacting on Singh’s comment that if BJP was not voted to power, five lakhs health insurance schemes, which was recently rolled will find difficulty in its implementation. UNI
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 12:56:00 PM 0


Tura (Meghalaya), Feb 16: No sooner the curtains are set to fall for election campaign in Tripura, where polling is to be held on Sunday, the BJP poll strategists are working overtime now to launch aggressive campaign in Congress-ruled Meghalaya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to campaign in Phulbari in Garo Hills on February 21 or 22, a key source in Meghalaya BJP told.
Phulbari hamlet is located in Selsella Tehsil of West Garo Hills district. 
Among other top leaders, BJP may field Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for election campaign in key political constituency of Garo Hills in Tura. "We are expecting Mr Rajnath Singhji on February 19," the source said.
For the prestigious South Tura Assembly seat, the BJP has fielded Billykid A Sangma, who is taking on among others former Union Minister Agatha Sangma of NPP. 
BJP national president Amit Shah is slated to address two election rallies, one each at Jowai in Jaintia Hills and in the state capital Shillong, on Friday.
Jowai is the headquarters of West Jaintia Hills district. "The Shillong rally will be held at the Malki ground," the source said.
The high-profile election campaign in Tripura ends on Friday and the stage will be set for electioneering in two other northeastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland.
Nagaland and Congress-ruled Meghalaya will go to the polls on February 27. The counting of votes for all three northeastern states will be taken up simultaneously on March 3.
Meanwhile talking to UNI, BJP's South Tura assembly candidate Billykid A Sangma said that besides development, corruption under Congress Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is a major poll issue in this year's polls in Meghalaya.
"I am very sad and it is also surprising that even as Meghalaya is one of the poorest states in the country, there are allegations that our Chief Minister (Mukul Sangma) is one of the most corrupt Chief Ministers in the country," he said.
South Tura has about 30,000 voters and the electorate comprises of native Garo tribe besides Hajong, Koch and others like Nepalis, Bengalis and Biharis.
Answering questions, Mr Billykid, who represented South Tura earlier between 2003 and 2008 as Independent MLA, said, "Since 2008, Tura has not changed. Roads are same. Engineering College and a medical college were supposed to come, but nothing materialised".
He said, "It's only BJP which can deliver these developments".
Talking about Modi government's performance, he said, the demonetisation will prove as a "blessing and a boon for all of us in the long run". He also said the move helped the government directly and indirectly to crush the insurgency among Garo militants.
"It was a brave move by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he showed the courage," Mr Sangma said, adding that due to note ban, the militants really had tough time. "Demonetisation had a big role in curbing militancy," he said.
Sharing his vision for Tura if he gets elected, the BJP nominee said, "I will be pushing for Tura bypass as we need to improve upon the road connectivity".
He further said he would strive to push the railway network up to Jengjal area adding the people of Mendipathar have "really benefited from the railway network".
To a question, Mr Sangma dismissed suggestions that introduction of railway network will also bring in a large number of 'outsiders' into the state - an issue often raised in the tribal dominated states in the northeast.
"As of now this fear was there....but Mendipathar is an example, nothing is happening there," he said.
Answering questions, Mr Sangma said his election is chiefly against NPP leader Agatha, the sister of Lok Sabha MP and NPP chief Conrad Sangma. 
The BJP nominee also said that BJP is "not a communal or anti-Christian party as made out to be" and added: "only elected Christian leaders Sangmas and Maraks will make laws and run the government for the Christians in Meghalaya". 
In 2013, Independent candidate John Leslee K Sangma had defeated Billykid A Sangma, then a Congress candidate, by a slender margin of only 18 votes. UNI 
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 2:40:00 PM 0



Tura, Meghalaya, Feb 14: The BJP has postponed its musical festival, scheduled this 
evening here in poll-bound Meghalaya in view of the Ash Wednesday which marks the onset of the Lent season in the Christian calendar.
The statement said that the party postponed the festival in view of the funeral of Salesian priest Fr Anthony Abong Marak, who passed away in a Guwahati hospital on Monday night.
Observance of Ash Wednesday is the start of the month long Lent Season of abstinence which is one of the most important events in the Christian calendar before Easter Sunday which celebrates the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ. UNI
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 1:39:00 PM 0


Tura (Meghalaya), Feb 3: Even without coming to power in Meghalaya, the alleged machinations of BJP-led NDA regime at the Centre has created hurdles for Christian missionaries in the state and several foreign visitors were denied visa, allege church leaders here.
"Bit by bit we were feeling the pinch....several American social workers and Church leaders from American Baptist Missionary Society and Garo Hills were denied visa," Rev JR Sangma general secretary of Garo Baptist Convention told here.
Answering questions, he said he is aware of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated assurances about safety and security of minorities.
"I think Modi has not been able to convince people about his government's approach towards minorities. We feel alienated. Prime Minister's statement sounds more like lip services," Rev Sangma said.
In the run up to the February 27 elections to Meghalaya assembly, the battle has intensified and in many quarters Christian leaders are apprehensive of BJP's hardliner Hindutva slant.
Rev WR Marak of Tura Baptist Church shares similar sentiment of Rev Sangma and says in more ways than one there are set of 'challenges' for the Church leaders in this predominantly Christian state.
The Christian leaders also point out that 'deliberate changes made by the central government in Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has affected church bodies as funds flow has been hit.
"This is a serious issue. But we are unable to do much," says Rev Sangma adding several north eastern pastors and Church leaders and even among Catholics have expressed their concern over these developments.
However, not many Church leaders are aware about any roadmap to tackle the challenges.
"We don't have any strategy to counter BJP but we are confident about one thing -- the resilience power of Indians and the strong secular fabric," says a Christian educationist Anthony Gama. 
Several other citizens in Tura and adjoining place feel Congress is also to be blamed for its long ineffective governance and faulty politics.
"Citizens in northeast have trusted Congress for decades but the party has let everyone down. It is Congress' non-performance that has helped create space for BJP and this remains a challenge," says educationist Anthony Gama. UNI
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 12:39:00 PM 0



Tura (Meghalaya), Feb 3: There is hardly any escape from reality as dilapidated stretch greets visitors to rural Garo Hills. While Guwahati-Tura highway is well maintained, roads are poorly kept in many areas of the rural pockets.
In the run up to the elections to Meghalaya assembly, people do have complaints against the political class and the administration. As one talks to the voters at clusters between Tura and Songsak or along the Assam border, one thing is clear the governance or the absence of it has left a trail of evidence showing how the polity has neglected development.
In some areas people are talking about Tura-Nongstoin-Shillong Highway which will provide access to rural Garo region people to the state capital Shillong. "But it came too late as Congress felt nervous," maintains a villager near Songsak assembly segment.
In fact, rural Meghalaya offers difficult roads. "Broken patches, potholes and numerous bumps form inherent parts of roads. We need to come out of this stage," says D Sangma of NPP. 
According to BJP candidate for South Tura Billykid A Sangma, "The Congress party has been responsible for lack of development. This is the opportunity for the people to get into fast track development as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi".
Citizens in this region also complain about rampant school dropouts and absence of infrastructures in schools and colleges.
"Lack of adequate government schools is an issue. In many villages education is solely left with Christian missionary schools,' says Umesh Kumar Dhar, a voter in rural Songsak constituency.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma of Congress is contesting this seat besides his pocket-borough Ampati. 
According to NPP sources, party candidate Nihim Shira is all set to give a determined fight to Mukul Sangma.
Vinita Sangma, another NPP leader, says there is a cycle affect vis-a-vis absence of development as poor education ultimately results in unemployment problem. A number of youths in Tura and adjoining areas speak in similar vein. "Due to the absence of any industry, young people are forced to either run auto rickshaws or work as poorly paid counter assistants in Tir (locally run gambling) counters," laments 24 year old Richard Momin near Mendipathar.
According to locals, other areas of concern that come into focus during elections include abundant water scarcity in many parts of the state. In many areas collection of water from PHE department taps and natural water springs is considered normal.
BJP leader Billykid A Sangma says last decade hardly saw purposeful development works as those who ran the state of affairs indulged in rampant corruption.
"One of the striking problems is lack of avenues and infrastructures for farmers to sell their products. I can assure, once BJP comes to power, we will attend to this issue with priority focus', he says.
Incidentally in many pockets even Congress supporters sound pessimistic. 
"Mukul Sangma is good but he could not give my son a job," says one villager Lurminot Kodak but asserts again that as traditional Congress voter he would vote for the grand old party yet again. UNI
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 11:27:00 AM 0


Tura (Meghalaya) Feb 2: To be bizarre is often an asset in politics, but family connections helps much more.
Weeks before February 27 crucial polls that often threaten to write political obituary of Mukul Sangma - the incumbent Chief Minister of Meghalaya is set to be a eight MLA strong leader. Of course all his choicest nominees need to win for that.
At least this is what some of the detractors of Mukul Sangma feel."Mukul Sangma is playing a very calculative game. His fight involves family and a bunch of personal loyalists. In the event of a hung assembly, he will stand with his 7-8 numbers," says Tura-based BJP leader Billykid A Sangma.
Like the BJP leader, many others including from NPP point out that Mukul Sangma has kept the numbers in mind and in the process decided to ensure that right from the beginning he should have at least 7-8 seats with him.
"Actually he does not trust many Congress candidates. He is building up a mini camp of relatives and personal loyalists," says NPP leader Vinita Sangma.
Explaining further, she says Mukul Sangma is himself contesting from two assembly segments Ampati and Songsak. His wife and sitting MLA Dikkanchi D Shira is seeking re-election from Mahendraganj. 
On the same line, Chief Minister's brother and Excise Minister Zenith Sangma has been fielded from Rangsakona. Zenith's wife Sadhiarani Sangma, who is also chairperson of Garo Hill Autonomous District Council is Congress nominee from Gambegre.
She will be taking on among others NCP state unit chief Saleng A Marak, who has been winning the seat for two consecutive terms.
Mukul Sangma has also tried to ensure that his loyalists too get party tickets, say leaders from other parties.Limison D Sangma has been fielded from Raksamgre while another loyalist Jimmy D Sangma will be contesting on Congress ticket from Tikrikala.
Similarly, they say Mukul has ensured that his loyalist Clement Marak is also Congress candidate from Selsela.
However, on the other hand, family politics is inherent legacy of Lok Sabha MP Conrad Sangma led NPP as well. Conrad's sister Agatha Sangma, a former Union Minister, will contest from South Tura while Conrad's brother in law Sanjay A Sangma will be taking on Mukul Sangma' s wife in Mahendraganj.
NPP has also fielded Ian Botham Sangma, another kin of Conrad Sangma from Salmanpara. UNI
Read more »

Hello Jammu News at 12:41:00 PM 0


Shillong, Dec 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Meghalaya this month to spearhead BJP’s election campaign in the state, a BJP leader said on Monday. 
Meghalaya is scheduled to elect its new legislature in February-March 2018. Its 60 Assembly seats are spread across the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills.
“Modi is scheduled to visit Meghalaya on December 16 as part of government programme where he would launch the election campaign for the BJP,” party President Shibun Lyngdoh said. 
Home Minister Rajnath Singh was scheduled to visit here on December 7 as part of the BJP's preparation for the 2018 Assembly polls but cancelled his visit. He was scheduled to address booth-level party workers here, besides inaugurating the new Meghalaya BJP office.
The meeting of the party workers will cover 29 Assembly constituencies of East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Shillong city, a party functionary said on Sunday. Similar meetings have been held in West Jaintia Hills and in the Garo hills region recently.
Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah was scheduled to visit the state but his visit was deferred on several occasions.
At least five legislators from the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government led by former Health and Family Welfare Minister Alexander Hek will be contesting the upcoming assembly elections on BJP ticket. UNI
Read more »
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)