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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]
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Hello Jammu News at 1:55:00 PM 0

Shillong, Sep 22: The United Democratic Party (UDP), coalition partner of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, has suggested that an UDP leader be the common candidate of the alliance from Shillong Lok Sabha seat in the general election next year.

UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh told reporters on Friday that the MDA should field common candidates from both Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats.

The Shillong seat is being represented by the opposition Congress leader Vincent H Pala for the past 10 years. However, the UDP claimed that the MDA had a better chance from the constituency with the Congress already on "downhill slide" in the state.

"We would also like to propose that the common candidate for the Shillong seat should be from the UDP, while Tura seat should go to the National Peoples Party (NPP) since we being the main parties in the coalition government," he said.

Mawthoh, however, said that the UDP would further discuss the proposal with the other coalition partners to ensure win of the MDA candidates from both the seats in the upcoming LS polls.

Meghalaya has two Lok Sabha seats.

To a question, the UDP leader alleged that the Congress was on a downhill slide in Meghalaya and the recent resignation of its tallest leader D D Lapang would no doubt affect the party performance in the elections.

"His (Lapang) resignation only indicated that the Congress is going downhill and is in a disarray and unorganised otherwise a leader of his stature would not have taken such a decision," he said.

Whether the UDP will approach Lapang, a five-time chief minister, Mawthoh said that the party would definitely meet the veteran leader soon to discuss if he would join the MDA. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 1:45:00 PM 0

Shillong, Aug 27: Counting of votes for the South Tura and Ranikor Assembly by-elections in Meghalaya began today amidst tight security, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) F R Kharkongor said.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is contesting from the South Tura seat as the ruling National People's Party (NPP) candidate.

Former Congress MLA Martin M Danggo, who resigned from the Assembly is the ruling NPP candidate for the Ranikor seat.

Sangma is leading over his nearest rival and Congress candidate Charlotte W Momin by over 5800 votes after first two rounds of counting, the CEO said.

In the Ranikor seat, the United Democratic Party candidate P Marwein is leading by over 1000 votes against his nearest rival Danggo of the NPP after first two rounds of counting, the CEO said.

The by-elections to the two seats was held on August 23. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 2:47:00 PM 0

Shillong, Aug 23: About 7.5 per cent votes were cast in the first two hours in the by-elections to two Assembly

constituencies in Meghalaya today amid tight security, Chief Election Officer F R Kharkongor said.

The voter turnout till 9 am was less than 5 per cent in Ranikor seat, while in South Tura constituency it was a little over 10 per cent, the official said.

The CEO said the voting would pick up by afternoon till the end at 5 pm. The voting began at 7 am.

The largest polling station is Matchakolgre in South Tura constituency with 1,337 voters and the smallest is Leper Colony with 151 voters.

In Ranikor constituency, Rangthong with 817 voters is the largest booth, while Nongbahjynrin-Mawthabah with only 12 voters is the smallest one, Kharkongor said.

The bye-elections to the two seats were necessitated following the resignations of former Assembly Speaker and five-time Congress MLA Martin M Danggo, who joined the ruling National People's Party (NPP), and South Tura MLA Agatha K Sangma.

Danggo resigned on June 21, while Sangma quit on July 2.

In South Tura constituency in West Gao Hills district, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who is currently a Member of Parliament from Tura, is contesting to become a member of the state Assembly.

Son of former Lok Sabha Speaker and chief minister Purno Sangma, he became the chief minister on March 6 this year with the support of regional parties and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

He is pitted against the Congress candidate Charlotte W Momin and Independents--John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul A Sangma.

In Ranikor seat in South West Khasi Hills district, NPP's Martin M Danggo will face United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate Pius Marwein, People's Democratic Front (PDF) chairman P N Syiem and Congress candidate Jackiush Sangma.

Security has been tightened for the by-polls with deployment of four companies of the Central Armed Police Force each in both the constituencies, an election official said.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has been asked to keep extra vigil as Ranikor constituency borders Bangladesh, he said. (PTI)
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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 
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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
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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)
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Hello Jammu News at 1:24:00 PM 0

Shillong, Jun 2: Curfew continued in parts of Shillong for the second day today after night-long violence during which a mob torched a shop, a house and damaged at least five vehicles besides injuring a senior police officer.
Superintendent of Police (City) Stephan Rynjah sustained injuries after he was hit by a rod and has been admitted to the Shillong Civil Hospital, a senior police officer on duty said.
At least 10 people, including policemen, have been injured in the violence, which has triggered demands that the government take action against alleged illegal settlers in the area.
State police personnel were attacked by stone pelters in the restive Motphran area of the city.
Teargas shells were used to disperse rioters but people in other parts mistook it for police firing, the officer said.
The clashes had begun after a bus handyman was allegedly assaulted by a group of residents of Them Metor area on Thursday afternoon. 
Trouble escalated when rumours spread on social media that the handyman had succumbed to injuries, prompting a group of bus drivers to converge at Them Metor. The police had to fire teargas shells to disperse them, officials siad.
The handyman and three injured persons were taken to a hospital where they were released after being administered first aid.
The East Khasi Hills district authorities had imposed night curfew in the entire city from 10 pm till 5 am to maintain peace and prevent arson, they said.
One person, accused of being involved in the assault of three local boys, has been arrested and the police are looking for his accomplices, they said.
Internet services continued to remain suspended to prevent spreading of rumours. The state government will review the decision later today.
The curfew, which was imposed since 4 am yesterday in at least 14 localities under Lumdiengjri police station and Cantonment Beat House, continues, District deputy commissioner P S Dkhar told PTI.
He said that there was no curfew in Police Bazaar and Iew Duh (Bara Bazaar) areas even as shops, schools and banks in these areas remained closed.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who chaired a high-level meeting yesterday, had appealed for calm and urged the people to help bring back normalcy in Shillong.
Meanwhile, several groups including the Khasi Students Union (KSU), the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council demanded that those involved in the assault of local boys be punished and the illegal settlers at Them Metor evicted.
"We demand that the government arrest those involved in the assault of the sons and nephew of the bus driver. The government should also compensate the three victims," KSU president Lambok Marngar told.
The KSU leader also said that the government should evict illegal settlers at Them Metor which is adjacent to IewDuh.
"Them Metor has become a den for anti-nationals and it is sad that several governments in the past have not taken initiatives to evict them and provide them space somewhere else," said FKJGP president Wellbirth Rani. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 7:08:00 PM 0



Shillong, Mar 6: National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Kongkal Sangma and son of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, was today sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Meghalaya.
Governor Ganga Prasad administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Sangma and his Ministers at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan.
Mr Sangma was given ten-day time to prove his majority on the floor of the House.
Along with Mr Sangma, eleven other Legislators of the newly installed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government – four from the NPP, three from the United Democratic Party, two from the People’s Democratic Front and one each from the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and BJP - were administered the oath of office and secrecy as Cabinet Ministers.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president Amit Shah, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and designated Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio among others witnessed the swearing-in ceremony on the lawns of the Raj Bhavan.
BJP’s key strategist in the Northeast Dr Himanta Bishwa Sarma was also present.
The Ministers, administered the oath of office and secrecy, were Prestone Tynsong (NPP), James Sangma (NPP), A L Hek (BJP), Sniawbhalang Dhar (NPP), Comingone Ymbon (NPP), Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP), Lakmen Rymbui (UDP), Kyrmen Shylla (UDP), Banteidor Lyngdoh (PDF), Hamlet Dohling (PDF) and Samlinv Malngiang (HSPDP).
Admitting that heading a coalition government a “challenging task”, Mr Sangma appealed to all the members of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance to work together as a team to ensure that Meghalaya reached new heights.
“The real challenge and the real work starts today. All MLAs of different political parties must work and in that we may face several challenges, but surely we will become successful, ” he told reporters.
He said, “Coalition will always face the challenges and there is no doubt about it. If we say there is no challenge then we are running away from the truth. We have to face those challenges. As a coalition partner we need to communicate and respect each other, ” Mr Sangma said.
Moreover, the Chief Minister said it was his duty and responsibility to carry everyone all along. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 11:53:00 AM 0


Shillong, Mar 6: The NPP leader Conrad Sangma was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Meghalaya on Tuesday here.
State Governor Ganga Prasad administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the new ministers - which included members from BJP and the regional parties like UDP, HSPDP and PDF besides NPP.
Son of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, Conrad is at present Lok Sabha member from Tura and will have to get elected to the state legislature within next six months.
The swearing-in of the new ministry marks the end of Congress rule in the state.
With Tuesday's swearing in, the Congress is now left with power only in the states of Punjab, Mizoram and poll-bound Karnataka.
As part of power sharing formula, UDP leader and former chief minister Donkupar Roy is likely to
be the new Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 4:30:00 PM 0



Shillong, Mar 3: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Saturday won from the both the Assembly constituency- Ampati and Songsak of Meghalaya.
In Ampati Assembly constituency, the veteran Congress leader won by a huge margin of 8104 by defeating BJP’s Bakul Chandra Hajong.
He had won from this constituency by a margin of 9096 votes in 2013 Assembly polls.
In Songsak constituency, the Chief Minister won the seat by a margin of 1830 votes.
Dr Sangma, polled 10274 votes, while National People’s Party (NPP) candidate ND Shira got 8444 votes. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 4:23:00 PM 0



New Delhi/Shillong, Mar 3: The NPP founded by P A Sangma has emerged a key player in the corridors of power in Congress-ruled Meghalaya even as Agatha Sangma, daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker, has established early leads in South Tura assembly segment.
Notwithstanding the fact that NPP - now being led by Lok Sabha MP and son of P A Sangma Conrad is all set to wrest power in alliance with BJP and other regional players, former Union Minister Agatha Sangma was leading ahead of BJP nominee Billykid A Sangma by a modest margin of 274 votes only.
Though alliance in Manipur and in the centre, in Meghalaya, BJP and NPP fought against each other.
In North Tura also NPP nominee Thomas A Sangma could establish comfortable lead against Noverfield R Marak of Congress by a convincing margin of 2041 votes.
The Congress has won 9 seats and is leading in 11 more but NPP was leading in 16 and won three seats so far.
BJP which put up 47 candidates was leading in two but regional players like UDP, HSPDP and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement also did well and this will in the ultimate upset Congress efforts to retain power in the hilly state.
Senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Ahmed Patel left for Meghalaya from Delhi on Saturday to explore possibilities of tie ups with independents and others in the state in the eventuality of a hung assembly. 
According to results and trends so far, while two Independents have already won, two are leading in respective segments.
In the 60-member assembly, the magic number to form government is 31. 
Counting of votes began at 8 am for 59 seats as election was countermanded in Williamnagar of Meghalaya following killing of NCP candidate on February 18.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Saturday won from the both the Assembly constituency- Ampati and Songsak of Meghalaya.
In his traditional Ampati Assembly constituency, the veteran Congress leader won by a huge margin of 8104 by defeating BJP’s Bakul Chandra Hajong.
He had won from this constituency by a margin of 9096 votes in 2013 Assembly polls.
In Songsak constituency, the Chief Minister won the seat by a margin of 1830 votes. UNI 
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Hello Jammu News at 3:38:00 PM 0



Shillong, Tura, Mar 21: The ruling Congress on Saturday opened its account after Information and Technology Minister Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh has been declared elected East Shillong constituency by a huge margin of 6074 votes.
The Congres is leading in 20 assembly seats with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is leading from both the Assembly constituency- Ampati and Songsak. 
Dr. Sangma is set to return for the sixth consecutive time from Ampati constituency, is leading by a margin of 2200 votes. While in Songsak, he is leading by 1830 by a margin of votes against his nearest rival Nihim D.Shira of the National People’s Party. 
However, Home Minister and veteran Congress leader Horju Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh has been in a triangular contest with Hill State People’s Democratic Party legislator Samlin Malngiang won by 622 votes.
The National People’s Party (NPP) is leading 16 Assembly constituencies out of the 59 seats, for which voting was held on February 27.
Former Union Minister Agatha K Sangma is leading and former Congress minister Prestone Tynsong is leading from South Tura and Pynursla assembly constituency respectively.
The BJP which is contesting in 47 assembly seats, is leading five seats with prominent candidates Alexander Laloo Hek , Sanbor Shullai leading in Pynthorumkhrah and South Shillong seat.
United Democratic Party Chief and Leader of Opposition Dr. Donkupar Roy is trailing at 347 votes to People’s Democratic Front (PDF) candidate Leston Wanswett in Shella assembly constituency. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 12:52:00 PM 0


Shillong, Feb 27: Voting for the 59 Assembly constituencies out of 60 seats in Meghalaya are underway, amid tight security arrangements.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor said 16 per cent of voters have exercised their franchise till 1000 hours.
Moreover, he said a “large number of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines which were malfunctioned have been replaced”.
Mr. Kharkongor said that there has been no report of any poll violence from any part of the state .
State Cabinet Minister and East Shillong candidate from Congress party, Ampareen Lyngdoh has caste her vote this morning.
The polling which began at 0700 hours in more than 3000 polling stations across the state amid tight security arrangements, will continue till 1600 hours.
To ensure free and fair polls, 106 companies of paramilitary troopers have been deployed across the state.
Altogether, 18,12,440 electorates, would exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 361 candidates in the fray of whom 31 are women and 80 independents.
The number of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines used in all the polling stations are 3025. The election is webcasted in 183 polling stations and 66 polling station will be manned fully by women.
Mawlai assembly constituency in East Khasi Hills district has 42,670 voters, which is the highest, while Dalu assembly constituency in West Garo Hills near the India-Bangladesh 18,640 which is the lowest.
Out of the 361 candidates in the fray, the prominent candidates whose fate would be sealed in the electronic voting machine include Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal, two former Chief Ministers - Salseng C Marak and Donkupar Roy, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, former Union Minister Agatha K Sangma.
The Election Commission is yet to fix the date of Williamnagar constituency where a candidate of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jonathone Sangma was killed in an IED blast.
The results of the polls would be announced on March 3. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 12:28:00 PM 0


Shillong, Feb 27: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday urged people of Meghalaya to exercise their voting rights in a responsible and judicious manner, where the polling is underway for the 59 Assembly constituencies out of 60 seats .
"Citizens of Meghalaya do exercise your voting rights in a responsible and judicious manner. Counting on you all for peaceful elections throughout the state," Dr Sangma said in a tweet.
The polling which began amid tight security arrangements early this morning at around 0700 hours, is underway at 3025 polling stations. It will continue till 1600 hours.
A total of 361 candidates are in the fray of which 31 are women and 80 independent candidates. The fate of these candidates would be decided by 18,12,440 electorates of the state.
It may be mentioned that the chief minister is contesting from two seats, Ampati and Songsak.
However, in Williamnagar seat, the Election Commission is yet to fix the date where a candidate of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jonathone Sangma was killed in an IED blast.
The results would be announced on March 3. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 12:26:00 PM 0


Kohima/Shillong, Feb 27: The two northeastern states of Nagaland and Meghalaya are going to the polls on Tuesday.
"I urge the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland to vote in large numbers in the Assembly Elections taking place today," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning.
Both the states have a 60-member Assembly each, but voting is going on for 59 constituencies in both the states as election countermanded in Williamnagar constituency of Meghalaya wherein Jonathone N Sangma, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate was killed by suspected militants on February 18.
In Nagaland, NDPP's chief ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio was declared elected unopposed from the Northern Angami-II constituency ahead of the polls. 
The NDPP is contesting the polls in alliance with BJP while in Meghalaya the contest is essentially triangular between ruling Congress, BJP and NPP. Other regional parties like NCP, UDP and HSPDP are also in the fray. 
In Nagaland, NPF is contesting in alliance with NPP and JD(U). The incumbent Chief Minister and NPF leader T R Zeliang on Tuesday exuded confidence that the NPF-led alliance will be able to form government in the militancy hit state.
"Our party will emerge single largest party," he said adding once NPF-led coalition government is installed, the state government along with other stakeholders will move for permanent solution to the Naga political problem.
The NDPP chief Chingwang Konyak has also expressed confidence that NDPP-BJP alliance will be able to form government. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 12:24:00 PM 0


Shillong/Kohima, Feb 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland to vote in large numbers in the Assembly elections.
"I urge the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland to vote in large numbers in the Assembly Elections taking place today," the PM tweeted.
The polling which began early this morning in are underway in both the states amid tight security arrangements.
In Meghalaya, polling is underway in 59 constituencies out of 60 assembly seats at 3025 polling stations.
A total of 361 candidates are in the fray of whom 31 are women and 80 independent candidates. The fate of these candidates would be decided by 18,12,440 electorates of the state.
In Williamnagar seat, the Election Commission is yet to fix the date where a candidate of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jonathone Sangma was killed in an IED blast.
The results of both the states would be announced on March 3 along with Tripura. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 11:59:00 AM 0


Shillong, Feb 27: Polling began peacefully for the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly at around 0700 hrs on Tuesday morning. 
However, election to one seat – Willimnagar Assembly constituency in East Garo Hills – was countermanded following the killing of Nationalist Congress Party candidate Jonathone Sangma. 
The Election Commission is yet to fix the date for polling in Williamnagar Assembly constituency.
Initially, the voter turnout was sparse due to the chilly weather. 
"They will come out later in the afternoon," said Joseph, a Congress worker, manning a stall outside a polling station in Don Bosco Sqaure.
Altogether, 60 poll observers, including 18 from police, have been deployed in their respective zones to oversee the smooth conduct of polls.
As many as 106 companies of central armed police force have been deployed to ensure an incident-free polling during the state's eighth Assembly election.
The Border Security Force had also tightened vigil across the state's international border with Bangladesh.
Polling would be webcast at many booths. It will be manned by all womenfolks for the first time in Meghalaya's election history.
Altogether, 340 polling stations are identified as critical and 580 as vulnerable.
Moreover, in all the polling stations, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used in all the polling stations. Special ramps were also erected for the physically challenged in all the polling booths. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 5:30:00 PM 0


Shillong, Feb 24: The Congress party on Saturday promised to create create 3,00,000 new jobs, and provide one job or livelihood per youth per every needy family if voted to power in the upcoming Assembly polls slated to be held on February 27.
To nurture young people as digital entrepreneurs, it promised to launch a new programme Entrepreneurship Program Through Digital Business (ETDB).
“We will set a new benchmark of transparent and effective public delivery system which will ensure that the governance is pro people,” the Congress party pledged in its manifesto which was released here by Congress General Secretary CP Joshi along with the state office bearers.
The Congress party also proposed to set up an exclusive market for women at Shillong, Tura and Jowai, where all the retailers shall be women.
In addition, it also promised to provide a lump sum amount of Rs 15000 as a wedding assistance to orphaned girl child.
On education sector, the party proposed to have a special initiative on Human Capital Development for ensuring employability of the youth with special focus on the school and college drop outs.
“We will strive to arrive at mutually acceptable solution to resolve the problems pertaining to areas of difference along Assam-Meghalaya border,” the party pledged.
On influx and illegal immigration, the party in its manifesto stated that is committed to complete the process of placing a comprehensive measures to address this issue to ensure that the demographic structure of the state is not disturbed.
“No outlaw will be allowed to disturb the peace of the state. We will have ‘zero tolerance; to any desperate act of militancy,” the party pledged on law and order 
issue.
In order to offset farmer’s distress, the Congress promised to provide ‘seed capital assistance’ to every small and marginal farmers during every agriculture season.
On health sector, the party promised to bring even more families under the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) to ensure universal coverage.
For media, the party promised to establish a technologically advanced and well equipped media centre in Shillong to provide the journalists with an avenue for a conducive environment to reach out to the masses effectively.
The other promises made by the party are to ensure last mile road connectivity of all weather roads, housing assistance to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), to promote solar and alternate means of energy, bringing investment into the state and promotion of Border haats. 
The parties manifesto will also be released in Tura by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and in Jowai by Congress MP Vincent Pala. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 1:30:00 PM 0


Shillong, Feb 23: Union Minister for Tourism, KJ Alphons on Friday lashed out at Congress chief for alleging that BJP-led Central government of trying to buy Churches in Meghalaya and termed it "shameful".
"Rahul Gandhi accused the Central government of trying to buy churches in Meghalaya. This is because the Government had sanctioned Rs 70 crore for creating infrastructure of the churches. For 70 years, the Congress was in power in Delhi. I want to ask, Mr Gandhi what have they done for the Christians here. His party has given nothing to the North East in these years," Mr Alphons told reporters here.
Countering Mr Gandhi’s allegation, the BJP leader said, “Do you think the churches are available to be purchased with money ? If the Government is doing something for a community, now you are saying that we are trying to bribe the churches. Its very shameful.”
“Secondly, what the Congress did not do for the people of Meghalaya in 70 years, we are determined to do. All this falls into the frame work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thinking . He has mentioned very clearly that unless North East develops, India can not be developed. It's not that we have come up with funds because of election, this is a scheme which has been for long," Mr Alphons stated.
On Congress chief allegation that BJP is anti-Christian, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech before Church leaders on February 17, 2015, stated that to retain or to adopt any faith is personal choice.
“The PM stated the Government will ensure that there is complete freedom of faith and everyone has the undeniable right to retain, or to adopt the religion of his/her choice without undue influence,” he claimed.
The Minister also attacked the Mukul Sangma Government on different issues including health,education and roads, and asked Dr Sangma what right does he have to go back to the people and urge people to vote for Congress.
Mr Alphons has also exuded confidence that BJP will form Government in Meghalaya.
The polling is slated to be held on February 27 and the results would be out on March 3. UNI
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