SHILLONG: Police, on Friday, averted a robbery after apprehending three criminals who were plotting to rob bank customers in the city
East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang said that the group of criminals were planning to rob bank customers who leave the bank with the money.
On October 6, one Harku Thapa was robbed of Rs. 50,000 by the same gang inside the UCO Bank, GS Road, Police Bazar.
According to Kharkrang, the gang’s modus operandi is to drop a few notes on the ground with the intention of distracting their target and telling them they have dropped the money. “As soon as the person picks up the money, another person from the gang snatches the bag and walks away with it. They are all from outside the state who come in the morning and leave the city immediately after committing the crime,” Kharkrang said.
The public have been asked to remain cautious while coming out of banks after making cash withdrawals.
The arrested persons have been identified as Raj Yadav, Raman Das and Aman Singh, hailing from Bihar and Assam.
In similar instances, Shillong police caught four boys who looted Rs 10 lakhs from a person who had withdrawn the money. The gang involved also hailed from Bihar and West Bengal.

SHILLONG: The West Jaintia Hills district administration has banned fishing competition in the district.
In a statement issued to the media, the district administration said that there have been growing number of fishing competition  in West Jaintia Hills district.
Some of them are having so frequent competitions that personal greed has taken precedence over lives of aquatic species, the DC said.
“ The fishes need breeding  and spawning time. The unscientific harvesting of fish will prove to be dangerous in times to come. Villages like Jarain are having fishing competitions literally every month earning huge revenue at the expense natural resources”, the deputy commissioner said .
“Therefore, after careful consideration, it has been decided that no fishing competitions can be arranged by any of the above and others without specific written permission from the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai and the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) Amlarem Sub-Division as the case may be”, the statement said.
Superintendent of Fisheries will certify whether the competition is feasible or not, the statement said, adding that all fishing competitions are banned till such time the permission is obtained.
The deputy commissioner added that failing to comply with the order will invite action as per the law.

TURA: West Garo Hills District Magistrate, Pravin Bakshi, has, under section 144 CrPC, prohibited the use of polythene bags within 300 meters from the boundaries of historical monuments and archaeological sites in the district with immediate effect.
This order was issued in response to the directions of the Union Ministry of Culture to ensure that the areas in and around historical monuments and archaeological sites are “polythene-fee” and that high standards of sanitation are maintained around such areas.

SHILLONG: On October 24, Ram Kumar, a manager of a stone quarry from Pillangkata in Ri Bhoi district, was reportedly abducted from Pillangkata. However, on October 27, around 3.30pm, the victim was released by his abductors, reportedly, after his family members had paid a ransom of Rs. 3 lakhs. The matter is under investigation .

SHILLONG:  Police have arrested five persons in two separate cases violating the National Green Tribunal order.
On October 26, police arrested two persons, Jeet Bahadur, 57, and  Honiwel Biam, while they were extracting coal at Kseh, Moowakhu in East Jaintia Hills.
On the same day, police arrested three persons Ram Lama, 28,  Md. Jurul Haque, 24, and  Babortary Chettri, 50, while they were extracting coal in the same area.

SHILLONG: One Santosh Kumar Singh lodged a complaint stating that on October 24, at about 11.50am, he made a business deal with one Rakesh Sharma at Hotel Micasa, Keating Road, Shillong, wherein Rakesh Sharma promised to supply cigarettes and asked for an advance payment of Rs. 5 lakhs.
On having made the deal, Kumar Singh paid Rs. 4,70,000 to Sharma.
However, when he left the hotel and checked the bag, he discovered that it only contained paper and that Sharma had already checked out of the hotel.

National Disaster Reduction Day
With the aim to create awareness in disaster management to the general public and the school students, the District disaster management authority organised competitions to mark the National Disaster reduction Day on October 29. The winner of the district level logo design for the State disaster management authority went to Soreisem Luikham from K.L Bajoria College, the prize for school level quiz competition went to Church of God (Ecc) Higher secondary School and the school level extempore speech competition was bagged by Divya Saho from St Mary’s Higher Secondary School.
Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan in NEC
With the objective of strengthening the Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan, North Eastern Council  officers and staff cleaned their office and the premise on Friday. Ram Muivah, IAS, Secretary, NEC and senior officers also planted saplings.
Diwali Milan Samaroh
Shree Marwari Panchayat, Shillong will organise Deewali Milan Samaroh at Rajasthan Vishram Bhawan, Luckier Road on October 31 from 4pm onward.
Singing
competition
All India Radio is organising a singing competition titled ‘N E Body can sing’ for ungraded artists of 16 to 30 years in the solo category for western and modern tribal music in any dialect of the Northeast. The winner will be awarded Rs 1 Lac while the runners-up will receive Rs 50,000. Interested competitors may collect the forms from the nearest AIR station. Applications will be accepted till 6.00pm on October 31.
Award
Raid Laban Sports Social and Cultural Organization will organize the 13th meritorious award for students, 2016 on October 29. P.S. Dkhar will be  the Chief Guest.
Dry Day
The Deputy Commissioner (Excise), East Khasi Hills District has declared October 30 as a dry day throughout the district on account of Diwali. All bonded warehouses and IMFL shops, bars, hotels, clubs and outstill shops shall remain closed on this day.
All Souls’ Day
The Laitumkhrah Cemetery Development Committee, Cathedral Parish has urged the Catholic faithful to clean up the cemetery before November 1.  The committee added that only fresh flowers are to be kept on November 2. Cars will not be allowed to drive towards the cemetery from 10am to 8pm. The gates of the cemetery will be closed at 8pm. No roadside shops will be allowed to be set up during the time.
Members elected
The BJP as part of its preparations for the 2018 Assembly elections, on Thursday constituted the BJP Nongpoh Mandal with Robin Lyngdoh as President, Juda Syngkli and Sak Khymdeit as Vice Presidents, Joshua Lyngdoh and Shanbor Syngkli as General Secretaries, Monisha Syngkli, Biolis Maiong and Wanri Malai as Secretaries and Manoshwar Sing as Treasurer. The programme was held at the Durbar Hall of Pahamsyiem village. The new office bearers of the Nongpoh Mandal Unit were confirmed by the State BJP Vice President B. Khongwir.

50th death anniversary of poet Sohliya

SHILLONG: Ampareen Lyngdoh said on Friday it is high time that the State gets serious about the demand for inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule so that poet and writer Hopewell Elias Sohliya’s contribution to the language is remembered.
Addressing the gathering at a function to commemorate the 50th death anniversary of H. Elias, the Minister of PWD (Roads) said, “It will be a dream come true for Fr H. Elias if Khasi is recognised. We have to make a decision to include the language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.”
H.E Sohliya is regarded as a poet and writer who laid the foundation of Khasi language and contributed immensely to the local literature during the 65 years of his life.
Lauding his contribution to literature, the Minister said, “As a tribute to him, there has to be a continuous circulation of his works so that the future generation remembers his contribution and tireless efforts to enrich Khasi language.”
Sohliya’s poems speak volumes about his philosophical character and his patriotism and “he was one of those who saw the need to love”, said Lyngdoh, adding that this songs in praise of God are still sung by believers.
Lyngdoh urged the Khasi Authors Society to continue to work and encourage individuals to come forward to contribute to Khasi literature.
“He was a man of big character with small living. We need to emulate his characteristics,” she added.
DRL Nonglait, president of the authors’ society, said, “Fr H. Elias lived at the time which was known as the glorious age of Khasi poetry. He was a philosopher and a researcher in Khasi poetry. The theme of his poetry was beauty and truth is from God.”
Relatives of the late poet, who were present at the function held in H. Elias School, were hopeful that “the light that burnt 50 years ago will keep burning in the coming generations”.
Students, teachers and renowned persons in the field of Khasi literature and Catholic priests attended the programme.

SHILLONG/NONGPOH: There was a resounding call to strike a balance among all living beings to maintain a harmonious relationship on earth despite the emerging problems from modernization at the Wildlife Week Celebration, organised by the Wildlife Wing of the Forests and Environment Department on Friday at Anton Hall.
“We should practice greater value system and understand that we are one of the species rather than masters of the globe,” Sreeranjan, Additional Chief Secretary of the state said.
He emphasize on mutual respect for all living beings which he said is an integral part of co-existence, “The survival of wildlife species and human lives is interdependent.”
Laying emphasis on the impact of modern lifestyle and its various demands, he said that modern development created distortions in life. He added, “This distortion can be corrected by greater humane approach.”
Turning towards the role of students in protecting wildlife, Sreeranjan urged them to maintain compassion and respect to each living beings.
He said, “Schools should inculcate a value system in students. We need to create awareness in them.”
On the occasion, the Clouded Leopard Gallantry award went to the patrolling unit of Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Ri-Bhoi.
Prior to the programme, the wildlife department held a ‘Walk for Wildlife’ march.
Meanwhile in Nongpoh, the weeklong concluded on Friday at the Auditorium Hall of Ri Bhoi College, Nongpoh.
The programme was attended by students of different schools from Ri Bhoi District, teachers, animal rescuers and staff of the Wildlife Department.

SHILLONG: Khasi Film Onaatah has been selected for the prestigious Indian Panorama Section of the 47th International Films Festival of India (IFFI) scheduled to be screened in Goa next month. The film festival announced its final selection of feature & non-feature films to be screened in Goa at 47th International Film Festival of India, 2016.
The jury of feature films, headed by well known director and producer, Rajendra Singh Babu, has selected 22 films out of 230 eligible entries. The 13-member jury took a month to finalize the selections. The jury constituted of the following members:  Rama Vij, actress,  Arup Manna, director , C V Reddy, producer and director, Girish Mohite, producer and director, Dr. K. Puttaswamy, writer, N . Krishnakumar, producer and director,  Sabyasachi Mohapatra, filmmaker, Sanjay Pawar, director and columnist,  Satinder Mohan, critic and journalist, Swapan Mullick, journalist and film critic,  Uday Shankar Pani, writer and filmmaker , Ahathian, producer and director
The jury has recommended Sanskrit film Ishti directed G. Prabha by as the opening feature film. The best feature film of 63rd National Film Awards 2015, Baahubali directed by S.S Rajamouli will also be screened at the festival. Three mainstream films are also selected under Indian Panorama Section of 47th International Film Festival of India, 2016.
Mantra, a film directed by Nicholas Kharkongor is also amongst the Panorama selections of IFFI Goa. Speaking to this reporter, Pradip Kurbah said it is a matter of pride that a Khasi film with English sub-titles is has been shortlisted for the International Film Festivals of India at Goa. “The idea is to interpret our culture to the outside world through English sub-titles. We are proud and happy to be able to feature our films in front of the world’s film producers and directors,” Pradip said adding that he hoped that Onaatah would appeal to people across continents.