KHNAM campaigning begins
SHILLONG: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has began its campaign at Mawhati, Ri-Bhoi and has confirmed over 120 party workers of the Raitong primary unit. KHNAM candidate, Zachary Shadap from Mawhati said that he will fulfill the aspirations of the people and he argued that Mawhati is backward as the representative work for self interest. He was hopeful that the people will elect a representative who will be an instrument of change.
AF holds finance planning conference
SHILLONG : A three-day conference of Senior Accounts Officers (SAOs) of all airbases under Eastern Air Command was organised at HQ EAC on Thursday in aid of planning of the management of public funds under EAC. In addition, the Accounts branch of IAF is celebrating its platinum jubilee this year.The high-level financial planning conference was chaired by Air Marshal Anil Khosla AVSM VM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, IAF. The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, IAF, laid emphasis on the protocols for procurement process, audit and use of non-public funds for welfare-related activities of air warriors.
NGOs condemn police assault on minor
SHILLONG: The Combined NGOs (GSU, FAF, AIGU, AAYF, ICFS, Mother’s Federation) of Williamnagar, East Garo Hills has condemned the physical abuse of a 15yr old boy by a Police personnel. The minor, a student of St George Secondary School of Dolwarigre and a resident of Samanda Rongkem was severely beaten by the police personnel on November 20 at about 2 pm after he returned from school. The boy was taken to Williamnagar Civil Hospital for medical treatment. The injured boy would not be able to appear for the remaining subjects of the Annual Examination. The combined NGOs demanded an immediate inquiry into the matter and to take necessary action against the accused. The NGOs added that it would not tolerate any manners of delay in probe and penalizing the involved police personnel.
NEHUTA condemns
sexual harassments on campus
SHILLONG: The North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) has condemned the growing instances of sexual harassment on the campus. In a statement issued on Friday, the association demanded strict action to be taken against those found guilty of indulging in such acts. “Such acts are an expression of deeply entrenched patriarchal and misogynistic mindset which reflects existing structures of power,” it said. Stating that the University campus is expected to be a democratic, egalitarian and gender-sensitive space, it called for making conscious and concerted attempts to keep it that way. “Violation of dignity and honour of a woman is a thoroughly condemnable act and must be fought tooth and nail both at administrative (punishing those found indulging in such violation) and also at ideological levels (by delegitimizing regressive ideology of patriarchy),” it added.
LJP condoles death of Umtyra accident victims
SHILLONG: An emergency meeting of East and West Jaintia Hills district committees of LJP was convened by Comely Lyngdoh on Friday at Jowai to condole the death of five persons in the road accident that occurred on on November 29 in Umtyra. The members present observed a two- minute silence in respect to the departed souls. The office bearers present include the district president West Jaintia Hills district, Robel Pakma and the district president of East Jaintia Hills district, Philip Bamon among others.
Villagers write to PWD on poor road construction
TURA: A group of villagers has complained to the PWD about the poor quality of construction of the Chigranggre-Ildek Akong stretch of a road that will connect Rongjeng in East Garo Hills and Adokgre in North Garo Hills. The villagers, under the aegis of the Jinba Area Development Committee, pointed out in their letter to PWD’s additional chief engineer in charge of Garo Hills that the contractor put single metal coating on the stretch from Matchadu village to Ildek Akong that peeled off during this year’s monsoon. The road was constructed before the rains. “Once again the contractor is trying to reconstruct the stretch of the road from the same point where the damage occurred by giving a single metal coating that will not last even for a few months. We have waited for a proper road for 25 long years and we surely deserve a better one,” said the villagers. They have also criticised local MLA Sengnam Marak, who was until recently a parliamentary secretary assigned with assisting the PWD minister to improve roads and bridges. The complainants accused the legislator of allowing the contractor to continue with his poor work at the expense of the villagers who live in the region and have to use the damaged road every day.
DC advocates waste management in city
SHILLONG: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills district, has issued a number of rules regarding waste management in the city. In a statement issued on Friday, the deputy commissioner called for immediate response and participation of the public to save our streets, roadways, footpaths, public transportations, parking lots, open spaces, schools, colleges, hospitals, public offices, market areas etc. A fine of Rs. 5000 onwards will be imposed if convicted by a court of law. Detected cases can be reported to the nearest Police Station or Outpost, it added. The statement further said that various agencies of the government and non-government including the general public are mandated to be involved with the noble objective of restoring the city to its former glory.
Awareness for persons with disabilities
NONGSTOIN: A three-day awareness programme on the rights of persons with disabilities concluded on Friday. The programme, organised by the district social welfare office in collaboration with NGOs, was followed by a special health camp and sports for differently-abled people at Diocese Hall (Bishop’s Hall) Nongstoin. Local MLA D Jyndiang was among the guests. The awareness event was organised at Vidyajyoti Inclusive School in Mairang. It focused on the rights and services available to persons with disabilities, protection against abuse and discrimination.
Flash mob event for women’s safety held
NONGSTOIN: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women organised a flash mob programme on Friday at the main Market area of Nongstoin town as part of the 16-day activism protecting violence against women and girls. The show was a crowd-puller.
Ex-MDC resigns from NPP
TURA: Former member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council from Asanang constituency in Rongram resigned from the National People’s Party (NPP) on Thursday. The former MDC, Kredithson Ch Marak, tendered his resignation citing personal reason. However, sources close to the former MDC said Marak was switching to BJP, which is likely to allot him ticket from Rangsakona constituency where senior Congress minister Zenith M Sangma is seeking to retain his seat in the coming elections.