Two activists want Accountability Commission set up in Garo Hills
TURA, Aug 25: Two social activists from Garo HIls-Nilbath Ch Marak and Flaming B Marak have submitted a joint memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong seeking the setting up of an Accountability Commission under the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010, in Garo Hills. The joint memorandum reminded of the judgement passed by the Meghalaya High Court under PIL No 7 of 2023, where it directed the government to constitute the commission in terms of the Meghalaya Police Act 2010 within four months. The memo urged the government to set up the said commission in any district of Garo Hills given that Shillong already has the Lokayukta. According to the activists, setting up the commission would be feasible as it has GAD land which could be used without any land acquisition process and Nokmas would gladly welcome the move. They added that setting up the same would also greatly benefit the region as it would solve the employment crisis being faced by the youths. Pointing out that having the facility would be nothing less than a blessing for Garo Hills region, they urged the minister to look into the demand at the earliest.
One gets life imprisonment in minor’s sexual assault case
SHILLONG, Aug 25: The Court of Special Judge (POCSO), East Khasi Hills, presided over by R Rymbai, on August 22, convicted the accused, Lovingstar Binan, and sentenced him to life imprisonment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act in connection with the sexual assault of a minor registered at Pynursla Police Station in 2021. In addition, the court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000, with a default clause of six months’ rigorous imprisonment. While no separate sentence was awarded under Section 376AB IPC, the court, under Section 377 IPC, sentenced the accused to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000, and in default, six months’ rigorous imprisonment. Further, under Section 506 IPC, the court sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000, with a default clause of three months’ imprisonment. Under Section 323 IPC, the accused was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000, with a default clause of two months’ imprisonment. The case was investigated by WPSI Shidarisha Kharsati, who is currently posted at Lumdiengjri Police Station, East Khasi Hills, Shillong.
Ranikor MLA inspects vital link bridge over Balat river
MAWKYWAT, Aug 25: Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein and Mawsynram MLA Olansing Suin on Monday inspected the bridge over the Balat River, a vital link connecting Dangar village under Mawsynram Constituency, East Khasi Hills, with Balat village under Ranikor Constituency, South West Khasi Hills District. The bridge holds great significance for the overall development of both constituencies, as it is located near the Balat Market, which is one of the largest markets in South West Khasi Hills. Just four kilometres away, at Lalpani near Dangar village, lies an Indo-Bangladesh border haat, further adding to the bridge’s importance for trade and connectivity. However, the existing bridge has become weak, and heavy vehicles are prohibited from using it, causing major difficulties for people traveling to the market and other areas. With frequent repairs proving insufficient, the state government has sanctioned Rs 7.97 crore for the construction of a double-lane composite RCC-steel bridge over the Balat River under a state scheme. The tender has already been awarded to a contractor, and the project is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Two nabbed with drugs in WGH
TURA, Aug 25: Cracking down on the drug menace, two suspected drug smugglers were recently nabbed by the West Garo Hills police from a public bus leading to the seizure of narcotic drugs from their possession. Police informed that acting on a tip off, the ANTF team intercepted a Night Super bus (ML-08G 0799) travelling from Guwahati to Tura and detained two persons, one of whom was a woman. A search of the two persons led to the recovery of 9.87 grams of a Brown/Orange colored powder, suspected to be Heroin. The arrested persons were identified as Cheyanjring R Marak (27) from Captain Bagan, Araimile Tura and Jemisha A Sangma (22) of Jangga also from Tura.