Groups warn against selling of cigarette, liquor to minors
Mawkyrwat/TURA: The Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) Ranikor Border Area Unit has warned all shopkeepers in Ranikor area, South West Khasi Hills District that action will be taken if they are caught selling tobacco or cigarette to school children. KSU Ranikor Border Area unit president, Andy Marwein said that the shopkeepers should have responsibility for selling anything to the people and therefore they should not sell anything which is harmful to the health of under age children. Marwein also said that the union requestes all under age children especially those who are still studying that they should not smoke or chew tobacco because it will affect their health. Meanwhile, the All A’chik Youth Federation (AAYF) from Rajabala in West Garo Hills has alleged the illegal sale of liquor to under aged school children by some shopkeepers at Rajabala Market. The federation claimed that, “Although the district administration had closed down all wine stores at the market after the Supreme Court order, some are illegally selling liquor to school students who have now become addicts and spend their time only in drinking”. Stating that cases of sexual assault and drunk driving accidents have become a regular affair, the federation urged the Deputy Commissioner concerned to look into the matter at the earliest.
‘Implement Section 66 of MV Act in East Jaintia Hills’
JOWAI: Various pressure groups comprising of JHTOA, MCVU, KSU JHDU, JSU CB, HYC-JHD, JNCCB, ka AJSUCB and HYC East under the banner of Joint Action Committee on Indigenous People Economic Rights (JACIPER) has demanded that all cement plants in East Jaintia Hills should implement the Section 66 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1981. They held the meeting at Hynniewmer on Friday and decided to organise a protest rally at Lumshnong on Monday. At least hundred activists participated in the protest rally with banners and placard demanding proper implementation of the Act in Jaintia Hills. “We the local truck owners are facing lots of problems as our rights are being violated by these cement plants”, the chairman, Ohibait Dkhar said. “The Implementation of the para 66 of the Motor Vehicle Act will help the local truck owners to safeguard their rights and interest”, the chairman added.
Awareness on legal service in West Jaintia Hills
JOWAI: West Jaintia Hills is observing Legal Service Day from November 9 till November 19 with the theme, “Connecting to Serve”. The District Legal Service Authority (DSLA) in West Jaintia Hills have been organising various programmes to make people aware of their legal rights. The Secretary District Legal Service Authority informed that “the campaign is to help people know about their rights when it comes to legal matters. He also added that poor people who has no idea about their legal rights can take the help of the Legal Service Authority. Programmes were conducted in Mynsngat, Nartiang, Jowai Town through lectures and short plays including a bike rally which was held on November 9.The DSLA will also organise a similar programme in Amlarem on November 16.
Garo Hills SSA teachers to hold protest rally
TURA: The All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association is planning to hold a rally here on Thursday to demand release of their pending salaries and arrears. The association has been demanding release of dues and implementation of equal pay for 4th teachers since last year. “We are also demanding salary payment for all SSA primary and upper primary teachers on a monthly basis which the government has so far not committed to,” said association member Tronament D Sangma.
Refresher course in Nanotechnology commences
SHILLONG: 31 teachers from different parts of the state came together for a 21-day Interdisciplinary Refresher Course in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology which started on Monday. Kh. Siile Anthony, Director, Human Resource Development & Employment, NEC while inaugurating the programme, emphasized the need for teachers to keep themselves updated with the latest devlopment in the field of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology. Prof Rakesh Mohan, Director, UGC HRDC, said that the two major objectives behind the refresher course is to equip the faculty with the latest development and to facilitate an intermingling of people from different states, culture and linguistics. The programme is organised by the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, NEHU.