Koch body refutes charges against community members
TURA, July 11: The Meghalaya Koch Association (MKA), the apex body of Koch tribe in Meghalaya, on Monday refuted the allegations made by certain groups recently that a section of Koch people, using the surname Barman, were obtaining illegal Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates. Terming the allegations false and malicious, the MKA clarified that the section of Koch people, using the surname Barman, reside in the seven villages of Tikrikilla block under Raksamgre civil subdivision and are genuine members of the indigenous Koch tribe of Meghalaya who have been following Koch traditions, culture and customs since time immemorial. Stating that the use of Barman surname has not diluted their original tribal identities, the Association said that the allegations are the handiwork of some vested interests, who are hell-bent on creating misunderstanding and disturbing the communal harmony amongst the members of the Koch tribe.
JHADC summer session ends
JOWAI, July 11: The one-day summer session of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) on Monday ended with discussions on the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and promotion of officers besides obituary references. The House remembered former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Council and former MLA Sing Mulieh who passed away in May this year. The Council also approved the appointment of Congress MDC Holando Lamin as the vice chairman of Land Revenue and Land Reform Committee besides the promotion of four officers of the JHADC. The Executive Committee also placed a report on the election of Nartiang and Shangpung Dolloi. After thorough discussion on the CAG report, the House has given the green light to submit the report to the Governor.
World Population Day in EJH
KHLIEHRIAT, July 11: Along with the rest of the world, World Population Day was on Monday observed in East Jaintia Hills on the theme ‘Adopt family planning measures and write a new chapter of progress’. The programme, which was organised in Khliehriat, was attended by district officials, who spoke about the detrimental impacts of population explosion. Importance of family planning was also stressed upon during the programme.