BSF holds driving training for GH border youths
SHILLONG: The Border Security Force in Meghalaya conducted training in driving for the border youth in Garo Hills. Among various initiatives taken by the border sentinels for the uplift of the border population, the 75th Battalion of BSF stationed at Dobasipara in Tura organised a one-month programme, which began on August 1, to impart motor driving training to volunteers from the Purakhasia area of West Garo Hills under the Civic Action Programme. The training at BSF BOP Purakhasia concluded on Thursday. Thirty-four unemployed youths of Fokachindi, Purakhasia, Belabore, Kachuadogri and Baljora villages participated. MLA Winnerson Sangma graced the occasion as the chief guest. Villagers were also given water storage tanks, cricket kits and volleyballs with nets by the BSF Battalion. The Motor Driving Training under Civic Action Programme was aimed at skill development and maintaining good relations with the people of the border areas.
NGT violation in EJH
SHILLONG:A large number of cases of violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been reported in East Jaintia Hills District in last two days. On August 31 around 11.40 am, during mining raid in areas under Sakhain and Nongjri in East Jaintia Hills, police caught red-handed four persons Sanjeev Das (22), Md. Abdul Koni (40), Thymmaibor Sympli (24) and Sumon Bareh (40), while they were illegally extracting coal at Nongjri village . On the same day, police from Lumshnong AD Camp detected two dumper trucks ML-04B-4934 driven by Md. Raffique Uddin and ML-04-4057 driven by Debojit Das, while transporting coal in violation of NGT order. In another incident, during mining raids from Lad Rymbai to Umsatai area on August 31, police detected one truck (ML-11-1625) driven by Chilson Nongtdu, while transporting coal in violation of NGT order at Muiong Rymbai-Borkhat Road. Police also detected one truck (ML-11-1804) driven by Iainehlang Ksih, while engaging labourers for loading coal in violation of NGT order at Muiong Rymbai-Borkhat Road in the district. Another truck (ML-11-1626) driven by Mapburom Langstang, while transporting coal in violation of NGT order was captured on the same day. Earlier on August , police found one truck (ML-10B-4353) which capsized at Pyrtakuna village, NH-44 in East Jaintia Hills. On checking it was found that the truck was transporting coal.
GH group demands blacklisting suppliers over flood relief
TURA: The Anti Corruption League (ACL), an organisation from Garo Hills, has demanded strong action as well as blacklisting of the guilty supplier and officials involved in the faulty distribution of PDS rice to the victims of the recent floods. The suppliers, instead of distributing flood relief materials sealed in rainproof plastic packages, gave PDS rice in regular gunny bags, to villagers in Bhaitbari, Rajabala and Hallidayganj. The PDS rice was offloaded at relief camps in Phulbari. ACL, while pointing out that the supplier would not have access to PDS rice without the involvement of some government officials, urged the district administration to initiate necessary steps to punish all the guilty involved. The matter is currently under inquiry by Civil SDO of Dadenggre Rajkumar S after the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi, initiated a probe.
ADE concerned by plight of med students over admissions
TURA: The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), an organisation in Garo Hills, has expressed its concern over denial of admission to students from Meghalaya in medical colleges in Assam. Many students who are state nominees through NEC quota or selected by the Under Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, were not admitted by several medical colleges which did not cite valid reasons for the action. The association has made an appeal to the governments of both Meghalaya and Assam to come up with a solution and make necessary arrangements for the affected students.
MES builders flay Army officer over eviction
SHILLONG: The MES Builders’ Association of India (MBAI) has accused Brig. Amrit Lal, the estate officer, 101 Area, of forcibly issuing eviction orders to registered MES contractors and behaving like a “dictator”. In a press statement issued on Friday, KB Singha, secretary of MBAI, Shillong branch, said Lal had “declared” the contractors as illegal occupants. However, Singha claimed that the land was allotted to the contractors on rent, subject to renewal, which was stopped by the Army officer. The MBAI secretary said the eviction orders were given forcibly to all registered contractors of MES who have been serving in the Indian Army for the past 25 years. Singha said the registered contractors have approached the judiciary for their rights and the matter is in the civil court against the order.
Concern over missing women and girls in Garo Hills
TURA: Village heads in Garo Hills and local NGOs have raised concerns about the rising cases of missing women and girls in the region. Village elders and parents along with social organisations — the Mothers’ Union, North Garo Hills Vigilance Forum, Garo Students Union, FKJGP and the Joint Action Committee — held a meeting at Bajengdoba multipurpose hall on Friday morning to discuss the issue. About a week back, a young widow with four children befriended a stranger who encouraged her to leave the village and head across the inter-state border leaving her children behind. Recently, a teenage girl disappeared in what is suspected to be a case of kidnapping. Secretary of the GSU’s northern zone Singbirth Sangma stressed on awareness and alertness of parents and families.Leaders of the Mothers’ Union of Bajengdoba suggested putting in place a mechanism at the village level to check the growing number of human trafficking cases. It was decided that village committees and a Joint Action Committee would be formed to take up the matter and to spread awareness among the villagers.