From Our Correspondent

NONGPOH: In a latest turn of event, Meghalaya State Level Public Grievances Committee vice chairman Donlang Sohkhlet on Friday announced his decision to contest the forthcoming assembly election scheduled on 23 February next as an independent candidate from Umsning Assembly constituency.

Sohkhlet was denied ticked by the Congress party despite his many attempts of impressing the Congress High Command of the numerous supports he received from the leaders of various committees of the party in Umsning constituency.

Taken aback by the announcement of candidates by the Congress on Monday last where his name did not figure as the ticket went to Nongpoh MDC Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, Sohkhlet regrouped his loyalists and convened a meeting in Umdihar Dorbar Hall this afternoon as to take a decision on whether to enter the fray or retreat.

After threadbare deliberations from various leaders of Mahila Committee, Youth Committee and Umsning Block Congress Committee who have defunct from the party in support of Sohkhlet, a unanimous decision was adopted of Sohkhlet entering the fray as an Independent Candidate. Around 200 loyalists from the party and headmen attended the heated meeting in against the Congress party for depriving ticket to their leader.

Political observers said that the contest would be between the INC candidate Dr. C Lyngdoh and UDP Candidate and former Umroi MDC Field Marshall Lyngdoh with Sohkhlet breaking the Congress vote bank however former KSU president Donkupar Sumer also contesting as independent candidate may cause some hiccups. In the end Mawphniang might steal the show and become the first MLA from Umsning Assembly Constituency, they opined.

From Our Correspondent

NONGSTOIN: In what could be termed as a blow to the Congress in Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency, deprived ticket aspirant Kimfa Marbaniang and his supporters, which included dissident Congress leaders, left the party to back the former’s Independent candidature.

The AICC had allotted the ticket to Kingford Kharsyntiew.

Phrang Marngar, president Youth Congress Rambrai-Jyrngam, Chain Kharwanniang, president of the Primary Unit Block Congress Mawkapiah, Bianglin Wanniang president Mahila Congress Rambrai-Jyrngam, Kyntiew Nonglang vice president Mahila Congress Rambrai-Jyrngam were among the hundreds that abandoned the Congress while extending their support to Kimfa.

Addressing the gathering at Rambrai on Thursday, Marngar said that everyone was amazed at the denial of party ticket to Kimfa who had the best chance of winning He said that among all the Congress ticket aspirants, Kimfa had the best chance of winning among all the Congress ticket aspirants. “Kimfa was the only candidate who could pose a threat to KP Pangniang in Rambrai-Jyrngam,” he said while condemning the Congress ‘for the betrayal’.

It may be mentioned that post the announcement of the Congress ticket allotment, Kimfa had made known his intentions of contesting as an Independent candidate.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Admitting the fact that the State has not been able to do justice in promoting traditional music and instruments, an area which has abundant potentials, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday said that the State Government has initiated assistance for establishment of fine arts in music to cater to the people involved in promoting indigenous music.

Addressing the gathering at a book release function entitled ‘Indigenous Musical Instruments (North East India)’ at Hotel Pine Wood here on Friday, Dr Sangma informed that 15 centres has already been approved for establishment of fine arts in music and the same will be implemented by the Arts and Culture department.

“For promotion of fine arts, funds has been provided to all the District Administrations”, Dr Sangma said while calling upon experts in this field to send their proposals to the respective Deputy Commissioners for establishment of the same.

The Chief Minister also informed that for East Khasi Hills alone, around 1.4 crores has been sanctioned for this purpose while stating that the State Government has constituted district arts and culture societies which will go a long way in promoting indigenous traditional instruments.

Calling upon potential partners to converge and synergize with the government in promoting this sector, Dr Sangma said that the changing hospitality sector of the North East region, stakeholders should refrain from trying to replicate the hotels and services of the west and should instead, “Concentrate in our strengths which lie elsewhere.”

Speaking about the book, Dr Sangma said that this book will help the youth and will also allow the long coming indigenous culture to flourish. The Chief Minister also launched the revamped website of the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture (DBCIC-Don Bosco Museum).

Earlier, presenting a brief presentation of the value and importance of indigenous music, Rtd Professor of NEHU Dr Helen Giri spoke at length about the difficulties faced by the traditional artists of the State especially the rural talented lots.

“What have we done for the traditional performers who have carried forward the traditional music and presented to the world?” questioned Dr Giri while adding, “There is a need to look into the plight of these traditional artists.”

The book ‘Indigenous Musical Instruments (north East India) has been published by the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture under the leadership of its Director Fr. Joseph.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The senior cadres of ANVC (B) on Friday held a meeting with the leaders of various NGOs and the council of Nokmas to discuss the contents of the proposed peace pact.

“Acceptability and the participation of the draft by the people is our priority concern. The proposed amendment to the sixth schedule need to be made known to the people as it would benefit the common man more than the representatives of their areas. Every citizen can participate in the growth of their own areas being a mechanism of development and governance,” ANVC (B) chairman Rimpu N Marak said in a statement issued here on Friday.

According to Marak, they have opted for smooth financial flow to the ADCs at two levels including the grass-root level with complete accountability, adding that the abolition of the municipalities, the regular pay to the council employees, improvement of the Government hospitals and the Government colleges in each districts and filling up of the vacant posts and participation of the women were some of the last minute changes made to the draft.

“We would initiate a meeting with all sections of the society including the weaker section of the society and the minorities to aware them of their role and participation in the proposed governance and growth of the state. The power to vote is a power to change and we are bringing that power home,” ANVC (B) chairman added.

From Our Correspondent

JOWAI: Education Minister, Prof RC Laloo laid the foundation stone for the Pine Mount International School at Wahiajer village here on Friday.

The village council of Wahaiajer village donated 32 acres of land at Moorangtung, which is a village forest, to the education department for setting up of the school.

An amount of Rs 24 crore was initially sanctioned for the project.

Thieves caught

A complaint was lodged at Nongpoh PS that on January 10 night, one bamboo loaded truck (AS-024C-2701) driven by Sanjay Malakar (22) filled 212 litres of Diesel from a Petrol Pump at 17th Mile Byrnihat and fled towards Nongpoh. The staff from Nongpoh PS opened fire at the truck tyres which capsized near Pahamrioh Nongpoh. During the firing, one bullet ricochets and hit one Battalion Constable, Rocky Koch on his thigh.Police arrested the accused.

Theft

lOn January 9, unknown miscreants stole five cell-phones, one digital camera, one LCD, 250 mobile chargers and other items valued around Rs. 70,200 from the shop of one Sunil Saikia at 12th Mile, GS Road Byrnihat (RB).

lOn January 8 night, miscreants broke into the Kiang Nangbah Govt. LP School at Mukhla (WJH) and stole four quintals of iron rods.

lOn January 8 at around 8 pm, miscreants stole one sewing machine and six pairs of police uniforms from a tailoring shop belonging to one Ajit Deb at Mawiong.

CCTNS Project

The CCTNS Project at Shillong Sadar PS will be inaugurated by the Director General of Police at 3pm on January 14.

SSP price

The Director of Agriculture, Government of Meghalaya has informed that the price of SSP per sale to the consumers of the state, government department and farmers has been revised with effect from 2012. For government departments, the price of SSP (P) 9 is Rs 9321-MT and for farmers is 9065-MT. the price of SSP (Agro) is Rs 9618-MT for government department and Rs 9351-MT for farmers.

Atta distribution

The deputy commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills has informed that the whole-meal Atta for the month of November 2012 is being distributed through the fair price shops at the scale of 1128 grams per head at the rate of Rs 7.80 per kg.

 Voters’ day

The National Voters’ Day will be celebrated on January 25 in all the polling stations, sub-divisional and district headquarters of the state. In the state capital, a Run for Democracy will be organised by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on the said date and the same will be flagged off from State Central Library from 7am.

Calendar

The multi-paged and single page Meghalaya Calendar 2013 will be put on sale from January 14 onwards from 11am to 2pm on all working days at the office of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations at Lower Lachumiere. The price of multi-pages calendar is Rs 40 and single page is Rs 10.

Wallam Kupar Tariang

Wallam Kupar Tariang, a resident of Raitsamthiah Block 4 passed away on January 11. His funeral will take place on January 13 at Presbyterian Church Cemetery Mission Compound at 2 PM.