From Our Correspondent

JOWAI: Eight Candidates- 3 sitting MLAs and five first timer contestants including a lone woman from Nartiang filed their papers on Monday at DC Office Jowai.

Among the sitting MLA, Coming One Ymbon (INC), contesting for Raliang seat, Sniawbhalang Dhar (INC) from Nartiang filed their papers at DC’s Office Jowai. West Jaintia Hills and Sutnga-Saipung MLA, Shitlang Pale filed his papers at DC’s Office,

Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District.

JHADC MDC, Moonlight Partiat and Heimon Hinge both Independent candidates contesting for Jowai seat also filed their papers here on Monday afternoon.

Independent candidate supported by the National People’s Party, Hillarius Dkhar who is also a member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and Veecare Nichia Lamare (BJP) filed their papers for Nartiang seat. Nartiang will witness a tri-angular fight between Dkhar, Lamare and Sniawbhalang Dhar (INC).

Out of four aspirants for Mowkaiaw seats, JHADC Deputy CEM, Qually Suiam filed his papers on Monday afternoon. Former MLA Mihsalan Suchiang (UDP) along with other UPD candidates will file their papers on Tuesday. Sitting NCP, MLA ECB Bamon (NPP) and Independent candidate, Robinus Syngkon will also file their papers on Tuesday, sources informed.

Speaking to media persons here, all contesting candidates have expressed same agendas- ‘all round developments’.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Most of the sitting legislators of the State have expressed confidence that they would make a safe comeback after the February 23 polls.

Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination on Monday, sitting Pynthorumkhrah MLA and Congress candidate AL Hek said that he would win with a landslide majority this time as well.

Mawsynram sitting legislator and Congress candidate Pynshngain N Syiem did not foresee any problem in winning the election.

“The trend at present is very encouraging. Being a sitting legislator my position this time is much better compared to the last Assembly election,” Syiem said.

When ask if the 8000-strong Garo votes in his constituency would play an important role in deciding the next MLA, he stated that the Garo votes would be ‘shared by all the candidates’, while adding that the Garo votes would prove to be very important for all the candidates.

Nongkrem sitting legislator and HSPDP candidate Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that he is expecting to create history by becoming the only legislator to be elected from Nongkrem for a second consecutive term.

“For the past five years, I have tried my level best to implement the MLA schemes in a transparent manner. I also attempted to address several issues affecting the people of the constituency,” Basaiawmoit said.

Mawlai sitting legislator and Congress candidate Founder Strong Cajee said his good work for the betterment of his constituency would ultimately lead to his victory in the upcoming election.

“In the past five years, I have brought more than Rs 100 crore to develop the constituency,” Cajee said while also informing that he has released a booklet of his achievements to allow the people of the constituency to judge his performance in the past five years.

From Our Correspondent

NONGPOH: Former Chief Minister and MPCC president, D D Lapang, has informed that Congress will win all the five seats in Ri Bhoi District judging the support and trust that the party had earned from the people of Ri Bhoi District.

He was addressing the media following the filing of his papers.

His main thrust in this upcoming poll is if the party comes into power, the first priority would be to uplift the education sector by setting up Government colleges in Byrnihat area, Umden and Jirang.

The filing of nomination for the ensuing State Assembly Polls which is approaching nearer is still going on in Ri Bhoi District and on Monday, 12 candidates from five Constituencies in Ri Bhoi District filed their papers.

The candidates who filed their nomination paper on Monday at the Deputy Commissioner Office includes MPCC supremo and Ex State Chief Minister Dr. D.D Lapang who is contesting from the Nongpoh Assembly Constituency, P.W Muktieh (INC) from Mawhati Constituency, Ngaitlang Dhar (INC) from Umroi Constituency, Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh (INC) from Umsning Constituency, Barnabas Nangbah (INC) from Jirang Constituency who filed his second paper of nomination.

The other candidates who filed their nomination papers include F.M Mawphniang (UDP) from Umsning Constituency, Tirot Sing Sun (UDP), Umroi Constituency, Wander Lapang (UDP), Jirang Constituency, Sosthenius Sohtun (NPP) Jirang Constituency, Pascal Lyngkhoi (HSPDP), Nongpoh Constituency and Wallambok Mylliemngap (IND) from Jirang Constituency.

From Our Correspondent

NONGSTOIN: West Khasi Hills on Monday saw 5 candidates while South West Khasi Hills saw 3 candidates file in their nominations for the upcoming polls. In West Khasi Hills District, Irin Lyngdoh (IND) of 31- Mawthadraishan AC, Brolding Nongsiej (UDP) of the same AC, Methodius Dkhar (INC) of 34- Mawshynrut AC, Eugene Kharlukhi (IND) and F K Ryntathiang (UDP) of the same AC filed their nominations at the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Nongstoin.

In South West Khasi Hills District Rowell Lyngdoh (INC) of 36- Mawkyrwat AC, Cornelius Nongbri (IND) of 35- Ranikor AC and Franklin Marak (IND)of the same AC.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The recent killing of two jail staff of the Williamnagar jail by armed militants has evoked severe criticism and condemnation from various sections of the society who have termed this attack as an act against human laws.

As a mark of protest against this brutal attack on two innocent policemen, local NGOs have decided to hold a peaceful black flag march on February 8 from 10am from the KSU office in Jaiaw to the Secretariat while hoping to meet the Chief Secretary to demand proper security to all the Khasis and Jaintias serving in Garo Hills.

The NGOs has also invited the general public and government employees to join the march to voice out their concerns and place their demands before the government.

Meanwhile, to express their grief over the killing of Assistant Jailor Neil Warjri and Warder Sharai Singh Thabah, the KSU Nongthymmai circle has called for a three-hour closure of all the shops in Nongthymmai on Tuesday from 11am to 2pm.

“We fail to understand the motives of the militants in Garo Hills to create a gap in the relationship between the Khasis and the Garos who for so long, have been staying together as a unified community,” KSU Nongthymmai circle general secretary Eric Nongkynrih said, while extending his condolences to the bereaved families.

The KSU Mawlai Circle on Monday observed a black flag day as a mark of protest against the attack.

The Meghalaya People’s Human Rights Council (MPHRC) has also condemned the attack in the strongest terms while urging upon the government to see that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book and that law and order is maintained to prevent any communal disharmony.

MPHRC secretary general Dino DG Dympep said, “There is no cause that justifies this type of immoral and inhumane act and we call upon our justice system to maintain strict standards of justice and fairness in these trying times.”

The A’chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO) and the All India Garo Union (AIGU) have also condemned the jail attack and expressed shock and resentment over the incident.

Blaming the negligence of police on duty to sound an alert, AIGU president Albert Marak said police should make sure that enough security is assured to its citizens. The AYWO has demanded for an immediate Inquiry Commission to be set up for in-depth probe into this barbaric incident.

“We appeal to all the militant outfits not to indulge in acts that are likely to create communal tension,” president of AYWO A Momin said.

While condemning the attack, the CSWO urged the DG (Prison) to see that complaint boxes are made available in the jail premises and papers are provided to the under trials so they can voice their grievances. The CSWO also called for appointment of ‘good officers’ to get to the bottom of this act. The CSWO also urged the DG to check the pay records where even retired warders were drawing salaries and temporary staffs were drawing monthly payments to the tune of Rs 25000 per month.

The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), while condemning the cold blooded killings, said ‘the act strongly reeks of the anti-Khasi stance of the outfit’.

“The information that the execution happened at a time when both the Khasi gentlemen were on duty and the militants’ disinterest in effecting a jail break or any other objective clearly indicates an ulterior motive against the Khasi people,” KHNAM president Pyndap Saiborne said adding that the Government should ensure that all Khasis posted in Garo Hills have proper security.

“The militants should refrain from such atrocities against the Khasi community in future for the sake of peace and harmony in the State,” Saiborne added.

Meanwhile, sitting Mawlai legislator FS Cajee has condemned the brutal attack and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. A meeting was convened to condole the death of the two policemen and a two-minute silence was also observed.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: “Are Meghalaya women shunning politics?”

This question seems relevant and topical in ‘Matrilineal Meghalaya’ as very few women are keen to jump into the political arena in the State which is going to polls on February 23.

Altogether 15 women candidates are being fielded by political parties, while three women are set to fight as Independents. However, the exact number of Independent women candidates would be known only on the last day of filing of nominations (February 6).

Political parties have revealed that very few or no women candidates have been put up since a very less number of women had applied for the party ticket this time.

Leaders and representatives of various political parties, both national and regional, have admitted that women are not showing active interest in State politics.

“It is unfortunate that not a single female candidate applied for ticket in our party. We have requested women members of our party to encourage women to apply for tickets but no application was received,” National People’s Party (NPP) leader Conrad Sangma said.

According to Sangma, the situation is common to every political party.

“Agatha Sangma (former Union Minister of State) and Veena Nair (NPP vice president) are keen that the party takes interest in this issue,” Sangma said.

Congress working president and former MLA, Deborah Ch Marak, said, “I hope all our women candidates win this time as we have given tickets to the better candidates.”

She said that the party has allotted tickets to six women candidates for the coming election, while adding that most of the women applicants had been given the Congress ticket.

UDP leader and Deputy Chief Minister, Bindo M Lanong, informed that the party has given tickets to five female candidates this time.

NCP State president Sanbor Shullai, while talking on the issue, said that electorates should be wise to see whether they need a male or a female legislator.

“The time has come to see that electorates choose the person they trust and have confidence on the candidate whether a male or a female,” he said.

The Congress has fielded six women candidates, while the UDP has put up five. The NCP has two woman candidates while there is one woman candidate each from the BJP and the HSPDP.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Sohiong Congress candidate and Home Minister, HDR Lyngdoh, is confident of making a comeback despite insisting that ‘no election is easy for him’.

“I have never underestimated my opponents in any of the elections I have contested. I always believe that I should not allow my opponents to score points against me,” Lyngdoh said.

The Home Minister is expected to face stiff opposition from UDP candidate Braston Kharphuli who has reportedly received the support of several political parties.

Expressing confidence of a comeback, Lyngdoh said the people of Sohiong constituency were aware of the good works he has done for the past many years.

“I know they would take the right decision while casting their votes,” Lyngdoh said, while speaking to reporters after filing his nomination here on Monday.

Claiming to be the ‘Messiah of the poor and the downtrodden’, the Congress candidate said it always gives him immense satisfaction to be able to contribute towards the well being of the under-privileged sections of the society.

When asked that his opponents might take advantage of the fact that he had failed as the Home Minister to handle the law and order situation in Garo Hills, Lyngdoh said the State Government has taken all possible steps to improve the law and order situation in Garo Hills.

“It would take some more time to bring normalcy to Garo Hills,” Lyngdoh said, while adding that it is easy for people to criticize the Government.

The Congress candidate was also hopeful that he would not face any problems with regards to support of the people in new areas under Sohiong constituency which were earlier in Mairang and Nongspung. “Delimitation is not going to affect me since I have already represented these areas as the MDC of Sohiong,” he said.

Ask if he was confident of winning the election, the Home Minister said he would like to wait till the day of counting on February 28.

It may be mentioned that Lyngdoh’s main opponent, UDP candidate Braston Kharphuli, is receiving the support of the former’s Cabinet colleague John Antonius Lyngdoh who is related to Kharphuli.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: In view of the fact that cancer is beginning to cause a major health concern in Meghalaya, the Roko Cancer Charitable Trust, Shillong, has been organizing regular cancer check-up camps for the welfare of the people.

As per statistics, Roko Cancer Charitable Trust, Shillong, conducted 87 check-up camps for breast cancer in 2010 and altogether 1043 patients were screened.

Though no positive cases were identified, yet 118 were diagnosed as high risk cases while the rest were normal cases.

In 2011, 168 patients were screened in 17 check-up camps in which 123 were found to normal cases while 45 were declared as high risk cases.

In 2012, 1444 patients were screened in 175 camps with 46 high rate cases being detected.

Informing media persons about its actions, Director of Roko Cancer Charitable Trust, Shillong, Geeta Sarin, said, “Our aim is to empower people to understand the Gravity of the disease and to fight it as cancer is curable if detected early.”

With regards to check-up for detection of cervical cancer, altogether 2023 people were examined in 2010 and no positive case was detected. However, in 2011 and 2012 as many as 11 and 6 cases respectively were found to be high risk ones.

According to Sarin, a new office was been launched in Tura in August, 2012 and 66 camps have been organised so far in Garo Hills region where 7384 patients were screened.

“We have a mobile unit, the first of its kind in North East, having an inbuilt Mammogram Machine and Processing Unit for screening Breast Cancer,” she said. With regards to Oral cancer, in the three years (2010-12) altogether 23935 patients were screened out of which 25 were positive cases while 160 were declared as high risk cases.

In its endeavour to reach out to people in the urban areas, a mega health camp was organized at Assam Club, Laban on Monday on the occasion of World Cancer Day targeting all the three types of cancer -Oral, Breast and Cervix.

Sarin also informed that the Trust not only screens patients for detection of cancer, but also follows up on the treatment provided in all cases of high risk and positive patients to help them towards the road to recovery.

Reacting to a query, she said that Oral Cancer and Cervix Cancer had higher prevalence in Meghalaya as compared to Breast Cancer.

The Trust also claimed to have saved over 400 lives which had been put in the high risk and positive categories of Oral, Breast and Cervix Cancer.

From Our Correspondent

JOWAI: The District Election Officer, West Jaintia Hills, has informed that stern action will be taken against Presiding and Polling Officers who failed to attend the Election Trainings as scheduled.

“Action will be taken as per Section 143 of the Representation Act, 1951,” a statement issued here said, adding that this is the last and final information to all concerned Presiding and Polling Officers in West Jaintia Hills district.

Meanwhile, the Returning Officer for 7-Amlarem constituency has informed the general public falling under the constituency that any offer of cash, liquor, gift items or free food to the electors during election process amounts to bribe. Both the persons, offering and accepting bribe, are liable for punishment up to one year imprisonment with fine.

Flying squads and surveillance teams have been formed to keep watch over such activities during the election process.

Members of the public may inform about such incidents to the Complaint Monitoring Cell of 7-Amlarem constituency in the number 85750-63203.

Assault

On February 2 at around 9 pm, one Vaity Phawa assaulted her husband Toy Chyrmang at Kyndong Tuber village in West Jaintia Hills. As a result, the victim sustained head injuries and succumbed to his injuries on the way to Woodland Hospital, Shillong. Later, the accused surrendered before the police.

On February 2 at around 9.30 pm, two persons, Emanuel Nongkhlaw (34) and Amen Mawrie (50), suspected of practicing witchcraft, entered the residence of one Barimon Pyngrope at Mawpat, Shillong. Local residents apprehended and assaulted them and later handed them over to the police.

One AN Sangma, DSO, Baghmara lodged a complaint at Baghmara PS that on January 30 at around 7.30 pm, unidentified youths, including females, assaulted one Nita D Marak for preventing them from playing in the newly constructed Sport Complex building at Baghmara in South Garo Hills. As a result, the victim sustained injuries.

One Suposh R Marak lodged a complaint on January 30 at Baghmara PS that his nephew, Sengsrang Shira, was stabbed by unidentified miscreants at Baghmara in South Garo Hills.

Suicide/ unclaimed body

One Baris Khymdeit lodged an FIR at Nongpoh PS that on February 3 at about 5.15 pm, his tenant (unidentified) committed suicide by hanging himself in his residence at Pahamsyiem in Ri-Bhoi.

On February 3, one unidentified male body (around 35-40 years) with multiple injuries was found floating at River Umiam in East Khasi Hills.

On February 1, one Chaimansien Roy Lamin was found dead in his quarter at 5th Mile, Upper Shillong. Cadaver was sent to Shillong Civil Hospital for Post Mortem examination.

Theft

On the nights of January 28 and 30, unknown miscreants stole six hundred fifty-seven litres of Diesel oil belonging to M/s BSC C&C JV Co., from three different places between Kynshi and Shyrwang in West Khasi Hills.

Threat case

One Virginia Phawa lodged a complaint at Jowai PS that on January 28 and 30 one Thomas Shylla threatened her with dire consequences at Mihmyntdu, Jowai in West Jaintia Hills.

Rape

On January 29, two persons – Sengrik Momin and Champion R Marak – allegedly assaulted and raped a woman at Masangpani village in West Garo Hills.

On February 2, one Vigilin Syngkli lodged a complaint at Nongpoh PS that in November 2012 a minor boy (14 yrs) raped her minor daughter (8 yrs) at Saiden in Ri-Bhoi.

Fraud

One Douglas Chyrmang lodged a complaint at Dawki PS that on August 25, 2012, one Heimon Malang cheated him of Rs 5,55,000 with a promise to provide him a government job in the Soil / Forest Department.