Murder suspect son-in-law pleads innocence
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Dharmendra Rai, whose name figured in the FIR as the suspect in the murder of eleven-year-old girl Swagariaka Das, on Tuesday pleaded innocence.
It was on Sunday evening that the body of Swagariaka, a resident of New Kench’s Trace, and youngest daughter of Sunil Das, was found floating in the river at Burnside, Rilbong at around 3 pm.
Sunil Das had alleged in the FIR lodged on Sunday that Dharmendra Rai, the husband of his eldest daughter Swagata Das, is the prime suspect in the crime as he together with his family members had threatened his two daughters in the past.
However denying these allegations, Dharmendra said that neither he nor his family members were involved in the crime.
“I am still in touch with my wife over the phone and we are not involved in the case,” Dharmendra said.
He also reiterated that on Sunday when the crime took place, he was playing cricket with his friends at Lowsohtun Block VI.
FIR lodged against NGT ban violations
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: An FIR was filed in Lad Rymbai outpost for keeping the mines open which resulted in accidents. Moreover, the FIR also highlighted that some men and girls including minors were still working in coal mines despite the ban on coal mining by NGT.
In the FIR filed by CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing on August 10, the dangers of mines which were not closed after the ban on rat hole mining were highlighted.
The FIR said while a delegation was going from Lad Rymbai to Kongjong, there was wailing of a cow from the open pit, made through box cutting method to extract coal near Sabathani School. As per the FIR, the coal pit belonged to one J. Rymbai.
The FIR also mentioned that while a labourer from Nepal was still working in a mine many girls were found engaged in work at mines especially carrying coal. They were working for one Nisha Sylla from East Jaintia Hills, the complaint stated.
Probe sought on toilet scam
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The FKJGP, East Garo Hills circle, has demanded a fair probe in the light of the new findings in the alleged toilet scam in the district.
FKJGP said that as a pressure group which is concerned over the welfare of the people it wanted to know the truth behind the scam.
“The original report had said that all of Rs.5,37,07000 was siphoned, but it has been brought to our notice that work was done and some schools were benefitted,” FKJGP said.
The pressure group demanded a probe on why the work was stopped when it was in progress.
“As a neutral body, our demands are to get to the bottom of the whole episode to bring out the truth,” FKJGP added.
UDP demands Rambrai C&RD Block
From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The general meeting of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Rambrai- Jyrngam unit held on Tuesday decided to demand for formation of a C&RD Block in Rambrai.
J.T.S. Thongni, UDP unit president of Rambrai- Jyrngam, said that people from far flung areas like Athiabari, Aradonga, Kyrshai and Malangkona have been facing lots of difficulties to go to Nongstoin. Moreover, he claimed that Rambrai has the legitimate size of population to ensure its upgradation to a Block.
Thongni also said that the general meeting took the decision to seek the State Government’s help in construction of the road from Nongstoin to Kyrshai which was announced during the tenure of D.D. Lapang as Chief Minister. The road was to be implemented under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP) under the Ministry of Transport N.E. Phase A, but till date there is no sign of any activity to construct the road.
The meeting also decided to ask the Government to set up a police station at Rambrai and a police outpost at Kyrshai.
On the same day, the UDP West Khasi Hills Unit appointed full-fledged office bearers which included J.T.S. Thongni as president, B. Nonglang, Bluerenshon Wanniang and Miding Nongbri as vice presidents, B.R. Thabah as general secretary, Ghossally Marwein as treasurer, besides several executive members.
Block-level Quiz, Debate competitions
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Office of the District Sports Officer (DSO), East Khasi Hills, will organise the Inter-School Block-Level Quiz & Debate Competition 2014 in three different venues on August 28, 29 and September 1.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, District Sports Officer G.E. Lyngdoh said that each school has to submit two names for each of the disciplines, adding that the same can be submitted at the DSO office in JN stadium, Polo, at the earliest.
The events for the various schools under Khatarshnong, Mawphlang and Mawphlang Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Blocks will be held at Pontung Community Hall on August 28 while for the schools for Mawryngkneng and Mawkynrew Blocks, the events will be held on August 29. The venue is still undecided.
Meanwhile, the competition for the schools under Shella, Bholaganj, Mylliem and Pynursla C&RD Blocks will be held at St. Mary’s HS School, Shillong, on September 1.
Traders in Cantonment area threatened
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Several petty hawkers who were running their businesses in Cantonment Area were on Tuesday asked by unknown persons to keep their shops closed and also threatened with dire consequences for non compliance.
The hawkers have lodged a complaint in this regard with the CEO of Shillong Cantonment Board.
In the petition, the hawkers said that the place where they were running their business falls under the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Board, but on Tuesday, some unknown persons came to their respective shops and put a mark on the temporary shops and threatened them not to open their shops from Wednesday.
The hawkers feared that the unknown persons may close their shops forcibly which will force their families to face starvation.
The hawkers urged the Shillong Cantonment Board to ensure that their businesses in the Cantonment area were not disturbed.
Nurses’ conference in city
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI), Meghalaya State Branch, held its 18th biennial conference on Tuesday at NEIGRIHMS Auditorium, Shillong. The theme for the conference was “Developing Effective Leaders in Nursing: Today and Tomorrow, for Quality Patient Care.”
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, A.L. Hek, said that nursing is a noble profession and encouraged the nurses to undertake their profession seriously and discharge the same with dignity and honour. Additional Director of Health Services (MI) Dr. M. Wahlang emphasized on the theme and spoke about the good quality of nursing leadership.
In her keynote address, Eudora Blah, Lecturer, Woodland Institute of Nursing, spoke about the objectives of nursing and stressed on quality care of the patients and encouraged the nurses to act beyond boundaries.
Blah also spoke about building leadership qualities among the nurses to enable smooth discharge of their duties and urged the nurses to cultivate a sense of inspiration and motivate the upcoming leaders.
Earlier during the programme, J.F. Balieh, president, TNAI, Meghalaya State Branch, submitted a memorandum to the Health Minister pleading for recruitment of nurses in the State.
KSU Nongklung unit dissolved
From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The KSU Nongklung Unit has decided to dissolve the unit during its meeting held on August 9. Unit president Lumlang Kharsyiemlieh said that the KSU unit has been dissolved since they did not want to be part of the KSU anymore.
He, however, encouraged all the KSU members to continue their work for the welfare of the society.