By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), 28 – Sohra (ST) Assembly Constituency has informed that Electoral Roll has been prepared in accordance with the Registration of Elector’s Rule, 1960 and a copy thereof is available for inspection at his office and at designated polling stations during office hours.

The qualifying date for the preparation of Electoral Rolls is January 1, 2012.

In case of any claim with reference to the qualifying date, inclusion of name in the roll or any objection to the inclusion of a name or any objection to particulars in any entry, should be lodged on or before November 1, 2011 in form 6, 7, 8 or 8A as may be appropriate.

All such claims or objections should be presented in the Office of the ERO, 28 – Sohra (ST) Assembly Constituency or to the Booth Level Officer in the designated location/polling station or by post.

Similarly, the Deputy Commissioner (EL), West Garo Hills (WGH), Tura has notified that the draft publication of Photo Electoral Roll of Assembly Constituencies under WGH for 46 Phulbari, 47 Rajabala, 48 Selsella (ST), 50 North Tura (ST), 51 South Tura (ST), 52 Rangsakona (ST), 56 Gambegre (ST), 57 Dalu (ST) has been prepared in accordance with Registration of Elector’s Rule, 1960 and a copy thereof is available for inspection at his office and at designated polling stations during office hours.

The qualifying date for the preparation of the Photo Electoral Roll is January 1, 2012 and any claims or objection should be lodged between October 1 to November 1, 2011 on form 6, 7, 8 or 8A.

Any claims or objections should be presented in the Office of the DC, WGH or to the Booth Level officers or by post.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: It is noticed that superstition has corrupted the minds of many especially those living in the rural areas where they still tend to believe in witchcraft and wizardry and in the process create an intense atmosphere making people live in fear and apprehension.

In yet another case of intense superstition, one Korbing Sohphoh (44), son of S Wahlang and resident of Sni Mawlein at Mawkyrwat, West Khasi Hills was assaulted by a group of villagers at his residence suspecting him to practice witchcraft in the village.

According to the police, the incident took place on October 3 around 7 in the morning. A group of villagers came to Korbing house in the morning and assaulted him near his sister.

According to the victim, he was returning home late from the market on the night of October 2 when he forgot to switch off the main switch of the mobile tower (unknown company) where he worked. So he went back to his work place later that night to complete his work. The villagers were suspicious because f this late night work.

Meanwhile, according to Korbing’s sister who is the witness, on the morning of October 3, a group of villagers made him carry bricks on his head making him walk on his knees.She added that her brother was made to enter into a large sack and exit several times. Worse of all, he was allegedly made to take human excreta several times. For four days Korbing and his family lived in fear, reluctant to lodge an FIR. It was further informed that on the night of October 6, he received a phone call from an unknown number threatening him with an unpleasant message “Today is your day, do whatever you want with your life and tomorrow you will be sent to the grave”. Soon after receiving the message, Korbing and his family fled to Shillong.

When contacted, Superintendent of Police, West Khasi Hills Dr N Raja Marthandan said at the moment, they are still investigating the case and they are still waiting for Korbing to file an FIR against the villagers.

“I have sent the OC to Shillong to talk to Korbing and to ask him to file an FIR against the group of miscreants and as soon as an FIR is registered, we will take strict actions against them”, Marthandan added.

In another incident, two persons were apprehended while they were trying to grab alcohol from a wine store located near Bijou Cinema Hall at Khyndai Lad on Saturday evening.

According to the police, around 7 drunkards arrived at the wine store and tried to grab alcohol for free resulting to a brawl between the owner and the miscreants. To prevent the further trouble, the vendor closed the shutter and two of the seven drunkards were locked inside.

Five other miscreants managed to flee the scene along with two bottle of alcohol (Officer’s Choice).

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Department of Management Studies of Martin Luther Christian University hosted a Symposium on ‘ Finance in Business: Challenges and Opportunities’ at Dinam Hall, Shillong on Friday.

The symposium aimed at creating awareness on the availability of Finance for budding entrepreneurs, bridge the gap between the conceptual idea of a business plan and its execution and to help the Management students to learn from the experiences and ideas of some of the resource people there.

These resource persons ranged from various government and semi government agencies as well as representatives from the corporate sector.

The presence of Management students from various institutions like Sikkim Manipal University, ICFAI, Shillong College and St Anthony’s College greatly added to the intellectual discourse that ensued.

The symposuim was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Malcolm D. Roy, who, while commending the staff and faculty of Department of Management Studies, MLCU, for opting for the noble profession of teaching forsaking lucrative career opportunities, congratulated them for organizing the symposium which is the need of the hour.

He opined that a finance manager is no longer called only an accountant but also a visionary and a strategist. Finance function is the integral and inseparable component of any business activity. With growing opportunities in the field of finance, challenges and threats have also increased manifold. Business financing today has a lot more to offer compared to the pre-reform days when options were very limited.

Financial institutions are competing among themselves to attract customers and investors.

Challenges with regard to making the right choices and rising to the occasion have become the core functions of financial management.

Therefore it has become imperative for the finance manager to equip himself with various skills and tools of financial management to meet these challenges and opportunities. He also mentioned that the Indian Government is committed to introducing International Financial Reporting System in the corporate sector in order to bring India on par with other developed countries.

Administrative officer, North East Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCROMP)K. Hrishikesh Singh, in his speech gave a concise presentation on the financial management system and practices of NERCORMP covering important topics such as transfer of funds through banks, strict monitoring of fund utilization, computerized accounting system, annual work plan budget and accurate periodic reporting.

This was followed by a presentation by Deputy CEO, Meghalaya Khadi and Village Industries Board T. Wanniang,on the Prime Minister’s Employment Guarantee Programme which is being implemented through three agencies.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG:Subho Bijoya was celebrated by Kench’s tarce Puja Committee on Friday at its mandap premises by organising a cultural programme.

Prizes for various competitions held during the puja days were also given away to the winners. Like previous years , the Committee also gave away prizes to other deserving committees of Shillong under select categories.

Late Mihirlal Dey Memorial Running trophy for overall best organised puja went to R R Colony Puja Committee, late Basudev Choudhury Memorial Trophy for overall best reception by a puja committee was awarded to Hatath Colony Puja Committee while late Kaveri Memorial Trophy for best idol was bagged by Laban Sanatan Dharmasabha Harisava.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG:  The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of BSNL NE-1 Circle convenor Gopal Das has informed that the nationwide strike scheduled for October 10 has been deferred to November.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Das informed that the decision to defer the strike was taken during a meeting of the JAC leaders in New Delhi on October 4 last.

In the background of the strike notice given by the JAC, he said that the BSNL management invited leaders of JAC for discussions on October 3. The BSNL management assured some financial benefits which the Government has to refund to the BSNL since long time back and sought some more time for final settlement, JAC convener added.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: One Nicky Songkliang, a resident of Nongmyngsong was admitted to the Civil Hospital in a critical condition after he was hit by a local taxi in Umkaliar, near Holy Child School, Nongmyngsong on Saturday.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Shillong in association with Metallica-Sargam Sports & Cultural Club observed “Gandhi Jayanti” on Oct 2 at R.B. Anup Chand Hindi Secondary School premises at Keating Road. A drawing competition was held on the occasion which saw 84 participants.

SHILLONG: A Capacity Building Training cum Economic Sustainability programme was recently organized by the Social Service Centre, Shillong.

This was aimed at the Task Force Groups (TFGs) and the farmers of the ten project villages which fall under Khatarshnong-Laitkroh Block of East Hills District.

The training was facilitated by different resource persons from Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Department, Civil Defense and Home Guard of East Khasi Hills. The BDO of Khatarshnong-Laitkroh Block, Smti. R. Iangrai was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion , Iangrai lauded the efforts of the SSC for taking the initiative to organize the programme, especially in the areas prone to cyclonic wind and earthquake.While stating that she said, “As we are unaware of what is happening in the future, therefore preparedness is necessity.” She called upon the participants to take active part in the training for their own benefit as well as benefit of the community.

During the training the participants were provided with the first hand training on safety and rescue, First Aid, early warning and other preparedness in times of emergency like food security.

Preparation of stretcher with the available blankets and bamboos, use of first aid and keeping in position victims of calamity for shifting to hospital were some of the highlights.

The participants were also enlightened on the different topic related to agriculture, rearing of lifestock and other issue related to livelihood.

Different techniques and methods of using available materials for safe and rescue to the victims were also demonstrated.