WKH Nokma complains against ‘fraud’ coal dealers
SHILLONG: The traditional heads of A.khing Ga’re Khalu of Khalu village under Nongstoin Syiemship alleged that there are some individuals involved in fraudulent activities and in this connection, have shot off a complaint to the Directorate of Mineral Resources in Shillong. Rementon H Sangma, Nokma, and AG Marak, an agent of Kalu Ga’re Mahari A.Khing in West Khasi Hills, claimed that some names were fraudulently included in the list published by the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) for measurement of unaccessed coal in the village. The traditional heads claimed that the individuals whose names had appeared on the list are neither residents of Kalu nor owners of coal mines in the area. They further claimed that the persons do not possess any NOCs from the Nokma regarding the unaccessed coal. Sangma and Marak also alleged that Prelitha Ch. Momin, who is the proprietor of Cheran Coal Agency, is trying to procure challans from the DMR for the fraudsters. The Nokma has requested the DMR to refrain from issuing challans to such persons. He also stated that according to the village rules, the unclaimed coal should be considered as the property of the Nokma and the challan may be issued to the Nokma of the village.
6 detained for illegal coal mining
NONGSTOIN: Three persons have been detained in Shallang in west Khasi Hills for extracting coal in violation of the National Green Tribunal order. Nongstoin police detained the trio — identified as Nar Bahadur Chubba, Sane Momin and Anton Ch Marak — on Thursday while they were extracting coal in Seningkhri area in the district. During interrogation, the detainees revealed that the owner of the quarry was a person named Henin Sangma from Jadi village. The district administration got information about the mining activities on Wednesday. In another incident on Thursday, police discovered freshly extracted coal at Seningkhri. Three persons identified as Mozid Ali, Abdul Baten and Abdul Rashid were apprehended and they told police that the quarry owner is a person called Allauddin Marak from Riangdim village. Cases have been registered but the owners of the quarries are yet to be arrested.
‘CAB to incite anti-India feeling’
TURA: The A’chik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) has expressed utter disappointment over the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 and termed the move as the ‘dictatorial mindset’ of the Modi-led NDA Government. The organization said the bill favours refugees by granting them citizenship at the expense of national security paving the way for influx plagued North Eastern states into becoming safe havens for foreigners. The AYWO also issued a warning to the Central Government against creating a warlike situation in the North Eastern region and to refrain from working against the interest of the people by giving due patronage to illegal immigrants. “The AYWO stands for democratic, republic and secular India and will never allow any force to suppress our birthright as our love for our Motherland is infinite,” the organization stated.
Complaint against PWD officials
TURA: Residents of Mindikgre Village in South Garo Hills led by the Garo Student’s Union (GSU) have submitted a complaint to the deputy commissioner against officials of state PWD Roads alleging negligence of duty regarding a road project under PMGSY from Nengkong to Mindikgre. The union alleged the PWD officials of staying away from the project and leaving it without supervision which in turn resulted in improper work by the company responsible for the project. “The company is not working as per the GPS survey of the department and only repairing the existing road under NREGS. This is a great loss to the people of the area as there is no minimization of turnings and the project is not reaching the target point of the GPS survey,” Greneth M Sangma, the president of the local GSU unit said. According to the union, as the project was left unsupervised, material such as sand and gravel are being used to repair the road which at some sections is too narrow. The union also stated that a lineman or ‘Mohori’ must be appointed by the department at the project site and has sought the DC’s intervention regarding the matter.
NEHUTA supports TU protest
SHILLONG: The North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) on Thursday stated that the association stands united with the Federation of Central Universities Teachers’ Associations (FEDCUTA) concerning the strike call given by the All India Trade Unions. The NEHUTA stated that it endorses the demands laid down by the trade unions, including those of minimum wages with indexation, guaranteed enhanced pension, replacing NPS with old Pension Scheme(GPF), no to disinvestment, stopping contractualisation, speedy regularisation/absorption of employees, proper implementation of Reservation Policy for SC/ST/OBC/PWD, equal pay for equal work, maternity leave and other enabling measures, concrete measures for employment generation, universal social security cover, containing price rise through universalisation of PDS and banning speculative trade in commodity market. It may be mentioned that the FEDCUTA has been waging a relentless struggle against the escalating assault on higher education through policy measures imposed by the Central Government on the diktats of the WTO-GATS, such as Graded Autonomy, Autonomous Colleges, HEFA, Tripartite MOU, HECI Bill, MCI Bill and Institutions of Eminence Scheme.