Byrsat visits villages hit by hailstorm in West Khasi Hills
NONGSTOIN: Local MLA Macmillan Byrsat has assured farmers affected by a recent hailstorm that there will be no delay in compensation. The legislator, along with general secretary of NPP Nongstoin AL Syiem, visited the places in the Umyiap area where crops have been destroyed. He met farmers at Mawsngapwir, Mawiawet, Mawkynbat and other areas which are badly affected by the hailstorm. Byrsat said that 90 per cent of the crops in these villages have been destroyed. Rangsing Wahlang, Sordar of Mawiawet, told the MLA that relief often arrives 2-3 years after the incident, “which is of no use” and urged Byrsat to look into the matter. The MLA assured that every farmer will receive the relief as soon as possible and said that the present government “will never leave behind farmers as they are the backbone of the economy”. According to the Nongstoin BDO, the most affected areas are Mawsngapwir, Mawkynbat, Mawiawet, Nongrangoi, moreover, Jaidoh, Nonglwai and Byrki. Syiem said that Umyiap was hit by hailstorm twice this year after which the government through the MLA was able to provide relief to almost 90 per cent of the total affected families.
One dead, two injured in road accidents across the state
SHILLONG: As many as two people have been reported injured while another lost his life in separate accidents which took place across the state in the last few days. On October 31, Hep Jyrwa (18) sustained injuries after the truck he was traveling in skidded at Mawkdok around 12:10am. He was taken to Swer Phc by a Sohra-based 108 ambulance.Raja Gurung (40), sustained injuries after the Mahindra Bolero (ML05R7736) he was travelling in collided with an oil tanker (AS01FC2018) in Umsning around 05:33am. One unidentified victim died on the spot while Gurung was transported to Umsning CHC by an Umsning-based 108 ambulance.
BSF Diwali mela to be held in Mawpat
SHILLONG: A Welfare Diwali mela will be held at the BSF Mawpat camp on November 4 from 10am onwards. L Mohanti IPS, Inspector General, BSF, Meghalaya will inaugurate the Mela. A number of entertainment and games will be organised and various food stalls will be put up by BSF personnel in collaboration with the local residents of the area. Prizes will be distributed to the winners of the different games and competitions.
Indigenous games, tug of war part of 100 Drums Wangala
TURA: District Sports Officer, OB Mawthoh has informed that the Indigenous Games and Open Tug of War competition will be organised by the organising committee of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival at Asanang on November 8 from 10am onwards. The games scheduled for the event are Jakpong Pe’a, An’ding Oka, Wa’pong Sika, Rong’ma Chilsusaa and Rong’ma Gosusaa. According to the notification, there will be no entry fee and interested individuals and teams are requested to register their names at the venue on the scheduled date.
Awareness cum sensitisation programme held in Mawkyrwat
Mawkyrwat: An awareness cum sensitization programme on Juvenile Justice Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO Act) and Cyber Crime was held at the Community Hall in Mawkyrwat on Thursday in an effort to sensitise the public on various laws and acts especially those relating to crimes against women and children. The programme was organised by the office of the District Child Protection Officer, South West Khasi Hills District in collaboration with Ka Synjuk Ki Seng Samla Shnong Mawkyrwat. The programme served as a forum in which the public including school children were made aware on whom to approach and how to make proper use of these acts.Resource persons present during the programme included District Child Protection Officer SW Passah, Protection Officer Institutional Care GB Marshillong, Legal cum Probation Officer SW Kharkongor, Deputy Superintendent of Police S Paslein and Labour Inspector S Kurbah.
Run for Unity marks Sardar Jayanti Day in Ampati
Ampati: A ‘Run for Unity’ was organised as part of the Sardar Jayanti Day celebrations by the District Police in collaboration with the District Administration and District Sports Office in Ampati on Wednesday. Sardar Jayanti Day is observed on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel which is also celebrated as the National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas across the nation. Nearly 100 runners from both the men and women’s categories participated in the 10km mini-marathon from Ampati Students’ Field to Chengkali tri-junction via Ampati Civil Hospital and back. The event was flagged off by ADC, Ampati, ZJ Sangma in the presence of district police chief BSW Momin.
PHE official calls for united effort to save water, environment
NONGPOH: A senior PHE official in Ri Bhoi on Thursday said that it is high time that people take up a holistic approach towards and collective responsibility for preserving the environment and water. Speaking during a programme organised by the office of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Umsning Division in an effort to imbibe a sense of collective responsibility among the people, SDO of PHE Umroi Division S Snaitang said: “No living organism could survive without water. Students should be the messengers of change”. A painting competition was also organised for school children followed by a rally. The programme concluded with a prize distribution ceremony for all the winners and participants.
Cultural society elects new office bearers in WGH
TURA: The Pinggira Cultural Society in West Garo Hills has elected new office bearers in a meeting held recently. The meeting elected Jipheto R Momin as the new President, Aniash Ch Momin as the Vice President, Tengbirth R Marak as General Secretary among others including a Managing Committee with Ballian R Marak as the editor along with six assistant editors.
Observer appointed for Fishermen Congress Committee
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pradesh Fishermen Congress Committee has expressed its gratitude to Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi for appointing Ningombam Bhupenda Meitei as the Observer of the All India Fishermen Congress Committee for the entire North East region
GSU clarifies on allegations against Ri Bhoi edu officials
NONGPOH: The Garo Students Union president of Killing Jorbil Unit, TN Sangma, on Thursday issued a clarification which stated that his name and that of the union’s had been misused by “unknown persons for their own vested interests” to spread misleading and false charges of corruption against certain education officials. This comes after a report appeared in this news daily. “The allegations which appear in the paper (The Shillong Times) today (on Thursday) against the education officials of Ri Bhoi District are completely false and baseless. My name and the union’s name had been misused by unknown persons to create misleading information… I on behalf of the Garo Students Union Killing Jorbil Unit would like to clarify here that we did not make any such allegations against the Education Officials” Sangma said in a press communiqué.He also said the news item published was “surprising” since he did not send any such news to media houses and that the union will soon find out who the real culprits are.
Teachers’ body holds meeting
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Upper Primary School Teachers Association (MUPSTA) Ri Bhoi District Unit, held a meeting on October 27 at Nepali U.P.School in Nongpoh. The meeting was presided over by district president P Rana in the presence of state officials including organising cum publicity secretary EG War, general secretary RR Ronghang and president K.Shadap. In his address to the gathering, organising cum publicity secretary EG War said that the association had conducted various agitational programmes for the enhancement of teachers salary and that the government had given in to these demands on five occasions.He also called on the teachers to come forward and join hands with the Association. President K Shadap said that MUPSTA not only stands for the increase of salary but also for the security of the livelihood of teachers. Shadap also reminded the gathering that the association had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister for upgradation of all Upper Primary schools to the deficit system.
Radio Bridge programme
Shillong: The North Eastern Service, All India Radio-Shillong, will broadcast a live interactive discussion on –”Revamping of Tourism Industry in the North East” as part of its Radio Bridge Programme at 8pm on Friday. Panelists from four different AIR-stations namelyAiban Shngain Mawkhroh, Gen Secy Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum, Shillong, W Ibohal Singh, Director Dept. of Tourism, Manipur, Imphal, Theja Meru, Director, Rattle & Hums Music and Creative Society, Nagaland, Kohima and Maitreyee Das, Tourist information officer, Assam Tourism Dev Corpn., Guwahati will take part in the discussion. Shillong Press Club president David Laitphlang will serve as the anchor during the discussion. The programme will be broadcast on SW 60.36 Meters Corresponding to 4790 Khtz and on additional FM support of 100.1 Mghtz. It will also be available on the AIR-Live streaming mobile app on “North Eastern Service” and on AIR-NE DTH.
Cleaning drive held in WJH
JOWAI: The District Legal Service Authority, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai along with the Police Department, organised a cleaning drive on Thursday starting from Mukhla junction till Khliehtyrshi. A short programme was held before the drive. DS Marbaniang, Secretary, District Legal Service Authority spoke about the need to keep clean not only homes but also the surroundings and roads to have a healthy environment. Students from Adventist Training school, Khliehtyrshi, JNV Mukhla and Kiang Nangbah higher secondary school participated in the cleaning drive.
Coal truck detained in WKH
NONGSTOIN: A coal laden truck bearing registration no. AS01-EC 1541 was detained at Riwiang on Thursday around 7.30am. The truck was driven by Md. Moynal Hoque (26) of Barpeta, Assam and was illegally transporting coal from Shahlang to Nongstoin. Acting on a tip off, Nongstoin Police were able to intercept the truck at Riwiang. The driver is currently in police custody and a case has been registered regarding the matter.
No loud music after 10 pm
JOWAI: Police in West Jaintia Hills, having received information that the camp sites in and around the NH 7 Weekender music festival, are planning to hold parties after the completion of the music festival, has appealed to the general public to avoid playing loud music especially after 10pm.