From Our Correspondent

NONGSTOIN: In a boost to Congress prospects in Nongstoin, as many as 272 dissident members from the HSPDP, UDP and the NPP joined the party on Thursday in the presence of MPCC president DD Lapang during a meeting at the Congress Bhawan here.

The meeting, which was chaired by Nongstoin Block Congress Committee president N Nongdkhar, was held to garner support for the Congress in Nongstoin.

In his speech, Congress candidate Dr Advisor Pariong said that the party had never won an election in Nongstoin and asked the people to give him and the party a chance this time.

Dr Pariong said that he had joined the Congress since he had realized that the Congress was the only party which could bring about development in Nongstoin.

Lapang, in his speech, justified the allocation of the Congress ticket to Dr Pariong, saying that the decision to allot the ticket was made by the AICC, after assessing the wining chances of the candidates.

He also stated that Dr Pariong had followed all the procedures of the party and was adjudged as the most suitable candidate for Nongstoin constituency.

From Our Correspondent

 JOWAI: The East Jaintia Hills District Administration has categorized 27 polling stations in the district as hyper-sensitive, 41 others as sensitive while the remaining 43 polling stations have been designated as normal.

The information was provided by East Jaintia Hills District Election Officer, Abhishek Bhagotia, during a meeting with media persons at the DC’s Conference Hall here on Thursday.

Bhagotia also informed that the process of categorizing of polling stations as hyper-sensitive, sensitive or normal has not be completed as the district authorities are currently updating the sensitivity of polling stations in Khliehriat and Sutnga-Saipung Assembly constituencies.

The District Election Officer informed that he has sought for seven battalions of armed and un-armed security personnel both from the State Battalion and Central Para-military Force to be deployed in all polling stations in the district.

The District Administration has also held series of meetings with headmen and political parties in Sutnga Sapiung and Khliehriat constituencies where the attendees were asked to maintain peaceful election process in their respective villages.

Bhagotia informed that as per instruction of the ECI, the expenditure surveillance team, flying squads, cameraman, media cell and media monitoring teams, besides others have been constituted in the district.

Meanwhile, it was informed that counting of votes will be held at the Jaintia Eastern College, Khliehriat on February 28.

From Our Correspondent

NONGSTOIN: The West Khasi District Administration led by MB Tongper and the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Lyngam area on Wednesday conducted a checking of coal-laden trucks that were violating the Supreme Court’s order of carrying nine tonnes of coal.

The checking was conducted at Nongdagong, Nongdaju area and Umdang.

During the checking, they detained over 40 trucks and seized 300 tonnes of over-loaded coal from the trucks. Most of these trucks were plying on the Shallang-Riangdo-Athiabari route.

The truckers were also asked to pay fine.

Anti-nationals nabbed

BSF troops deployed in Bagli, West Khasi Hills district, recently apprehended an Indian national Sahinul Islam (30) while he was collecting illegal hawala money to the tune of Rs 20,130 from a Bangladeshi national.

In another incident, BSF troops of Gasuapara, South Garo Hills, apprehended a Bangladeshi national Aminul Sheikh (19) while he was infiltrating into India.

Notice

The Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills has informed the general public that any offer of cash, liquor, gift items or free food to the electors during the election process amounts to bribe. All persons offering or accepting such bribe are liable for punishment with imprisonment up to one year and fine. Flying squads and surveillance teams have been formed to keep watch over such activities during the election process. In events of such incidents, members of the public can contact the complaint monitoring cell set up in the district at 8575063501 and 857563502.

Dry Day

The Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills has declared January 26 as Dry Day throughout the district on account of Republic Day.

Unclaimed body

The Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills has informed that a male decomposed body was found inside the jungle of Ryngai Diengan under Sohryngkham which has been kept at the Shillong Civil Hospital morgue.

To celebrate the National Voters’ Day, the Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya will organise a ‘Run for Democracy’ at 7am which will be flagged off at U Soso Tham Auditorium. Thereafter, a function will be held at the same venue at 11am.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Central Body on Thursday apprehended a street vendor from GS Road (near Bimola Pharmacy) while he was taking inappropriate pictures and videos of female customers.

The apprehended person identified as Comingstar Syiemlieh, (28), hailing from Sohiong, East Khasi Hills and a father of a one-year-old child, was caught red handed on Thursday by two KSU members who had been following his moves for quite some time.

Syiemlieh admitted that he had been doing these acts for the past three months.

Syiemlieh used to take pictures and videos of unsuspecting female customers while always pretending to bend down to tie his shoelaces.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The model code of conduct for the 2013 Assembly elections prohibited MLAs from hoisting the national flag in their respective constituencies on the occasion of Republic Day.

Chief Electoral Officer P Naik on Thursday said that an MLA cannot hoist the national flag in his home constituency and district.

He also informed that any minister or MLA is barred from highlighting the achievements and initiatives of the government during the Republic Day functions.

Governor RS Mooshahary will be the chief guest at Saturday’s Republic Day function to be held at Polo Grounds, here. Meanwhile, the district administration has informed that buses have been arranged for the public to visit the venue and witness the celebration.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The ANVC (B) said it would not support any political party during the elections.

In a statement issued here, the ANVC leader, Rimpu N.Marak said that 2013 election will entirely depend on people’s decision. “People should choose their representative wisely for next five years, as it is our votes that will decide leaders of tomorrow. I appeal to the public to discourage corrupt means of campaigning and vote for visionary and responsible candidates who are vocal, focused and committed to the people’s cause”, Marak added.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The Congress candidate from Pynthorumkhrah, AL Hek denied reports of poster campaign against him by saying that it is just a propaganda of some vested interests.

Earlier, there were reports of pamphlets were being distributed in Pynthorumkhrah targeting Hek.

According to Hek, there are some vested interests who wanted to malign his image in the run up to the elections. According to reports, the police have already initiated investigation into the matter.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate C. Dkhar on Thursday asked the investigating officer to file a report with the court regarding the status of the investigation related to the alleged manipulation of marks in the appointment of Government teachers as unearthed by CBI. The court also asked the police to speed up the investigation. The court fixed January 29 to examine the report of the investigating officer.