Lapangap alleges harassment at border, threatens to protest
JOWAI, May 5: The Dorbar Shnong of Lapangap in West Jaintia Hills has threatened to march to the Secretariat in Shillong on May 6 to protest the persistent harassment of local farmers along the border with Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district. Village headman Deimonmi Lyngdoh reported that farmers are frequently intimidated by Assam police and Karbi residents while attempting to cultivate their paddy fields. He noted that this ongoing interference has caused significant hardship and discouraged residents from farming. While the village resolved to organise a peaceful rally during a meeting on May 1, the protest is contingent on the outcome of a meeting called by the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills on May 5. Lyngdoh stated that if these talks fail to provide a resolution, the Dorbar Shnong will proceed with the march to the capital. The village has outlined several key demands, beginning with a guarantee of safe and free access for farmers to their fields along the border. They are also calling for the immediate withdrawal of Assam Police from farming areas until the interstate boundary dispute is resolved. Furthermore, the village has urged the government to correct or remove inaccurate GPS boundary lines on Google Maps and provide financial compensation to farmers who have suffered agricultural losses due to border disturbances since 2025.
Call for action after newborn found buried alive in Ri-Bhoi
NONGPOH, May 4: The Hid Foundation has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi seeking urgent intervention following a recent incident where a newborn baby was allegedly buried alive. In the memorandum submitted on Saturday, the foundation’s Nongpoh Unit condemned the act and raised concerns over the rise in crimes against children in the district. It urged the Deputy Commissioner, who chairs the District Child Welfare and Protection Committee (DCWPC), to ensure strict enforcement of the Juvenile Justice Act, the POCSO Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita regarding child abandonment. The organisation called for an emergency meeting of the DCWPC to review the functioning of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and village-level protection committees. The foundation further proposed district-wide awareness programmes on safe surrender mechanisms and the legal consequences of child abandonment. It recommended sensitisation for ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and village authorities, while ensuring the rescued infant receives proper medical care and rehabilitation through the DCPU. The memorandum also sought action-taken reports from relevant departments and the establishment of regular monitoring mechanisms to prevent future violations. Soniland Malai, executive coordinator of the Hid Foundation’s Nongpoh Unit, stated that the organisation remains committed to collaborating with the district administration to ensure child safety in Ri-Bhoi.
Body of missing man found near Kynshi river in SWKH
MAWKYRWAT, May 4: The body of a man identified as Sendar Lyngdoh was discovered on Sunday evening at Nohthiang, near the Kynshi River in South West Khasi Hills. Lyngdoh, a resident of Rangdkhew village, was spotted by locals who immediately alerted the police. Following an initial inquiry and inquest, officials stated that no foul play was suspected. According to relatives and local residents, Lyngdoh had struggled with mental instability for a long period and was known to frequently consume alcohol and wander away from home. The family informed authorities they did not suspect any criminal activity and requested an exemption from a post-mortem examination. The body was handed over to the relatives for final rites.
Schools’ welfare body moves govt on issues in edn sector
SHILLONG, May 4: A delegation from the Meghalaya School Welfare and Development Association (MSWDA) met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday to seek urgent intervention regarding several issues impacting the state’s education sector. MSWDA-CB president HM Marbaniang stated that the group presented six critical matters finalised during the association’s general meeting on April 6. A primary demand included financial support and grant-in-aid for secondary and higher secondary schools. The association also raised concerns involving SSA non-NOC schools and private institutions, while calling for the strengthening of primary education from the pre-primary level to Class V. Additionally, the delegation addressed pending requests from permitted unaided lower and upper primary schools. Regarding teacher welfare, the MSWDA sought a resolution for grievances held by in-service teachers concerning the D.El.Ed programme conducted through NIOS. The association further pushed for greater clarity and improvements in teacher education requirements for both D.El.Ed and B.Ed programmes.
Four bodies representing PwDs constitute unified platform
SHILLONG, May 4: Four organisations representing the disabled community in Meghalaya have formed a unified platform, the Meghalaya Disability People Organization (MDPO), to advocate for their constitutional rights. At its inaugural general body meeting on May 2, the MDPO accused the state government of failing to properly implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. MDPO president Jitendra Dkhar said the organisation was compelled to raise concerns over recruitment, reservation and social security. A key grievance is the alleged absence of a distinct category for persons with disabilities (PwD) in exams conducted by the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and District Selection Committees, with candidates often grouped under the general category. The MDPO has demanded transparency in how vacancies are advertised and categorised. The body also flagged lack of clarity in the state’s roster system, particularly in the distribution of the four per cent reservation among Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities, and sought clarification on whether the two per cent quota for sportspersons would dilute the PwD share. Invoking “Nothing About Us Without Us,” it demanded representation in decision-making bodies. The MDPO further highlighted gaps in education and employment, noting the absence of a dedicated government institution for PwDs, lack of trained teachers and accessible materials, and discrimination faced by candidates, especially the blind, during assessments. It also raised concerns over inaccessible digital systems for social security schemes. Warning of future action, Dkhar said the organisation would launch statewide protests and hunger strikes if its demands on the roster system, sports quota and recruitment categories are not addressed.
