Tuesday, September 9, 2025
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Concern from a Daily Commuter

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Editor,
As a daily commuter in Shillong, I am often in awe of the way the State Government and the Traffic Branch of the Meghalaya Police function. The traffic jam scenario, especially during morning hours, is already chaotic. But what puzzles me most is how rules and regulations are strictly applied only on certain “important” days.
Take Monday for example. I cross the Barik Point junction every day to drop my daughter off to school. On normal days, the situation during school hours is sheer chaos. Vehicles coming from PB area try to head towards Civil Point, while those from the other side attempt to get to IGP–Police Bazaar Road. With no proper intersection point, drivers are left to criss-cross in confusion, causing bottlenecks and frustration.
However, today the situation was entirely different. There was a clear diversion right from Barik Point up to Civil Point; traffic personnel were deployed along the stretch, and they gave proper directions to drivers. The result? Smooth traffic flow and a calm commute. And the reason? The ongoing Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
As daily commuters, many of us have stopped complaining and learned to accept the reality of traffic jams. Yet, what is disheartening is that order and efficiency appear only when “important” events are happening. If traffic can be managed well on such days, why can’t the same effort be made every day?
I write this not to criticise but as a concerned parent who deals with this problem daily. There is a saying: “To every problem, there is a solution.” If solutions exist and have been proven to work, then why not implement them regularly for the benefit of the public?
This is a humble request to the authorities—please don’t wait for special occasions to ensure smooth traffic. For us commuters, every day matters.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Via email

No Place for Mobile Phones in MPSC & DSC Examinations

Editor,
Recently, some candidates have raised concerns about alleged malpractice during examinations. If this is true, it is a very serious issue. Nothing is more demoralising for a sincere candidate than to see others get away with unfair means. It destroys faith in the system.
Everyone knows that mobile phones can easily be misused for cheating. If such devices are still allowed in some centres then it is hard to understand. A strict ban on cell phones and other electronic gadgets should be enforced without exception. Candidates feel there is a difference in the vigilance between Shillong and centres like Jowai and Nongstoin. They feel monitoring in these centres is not as strict, and that gives scope for malpractice. What is needed is strict invigilation in every exam room, no matter where the exam is held.
Yours etc.,
An MPSC aspirant,
Via email

Meghalaya Needs Mental Health Education

Editor,
In Meghalaya, discussions on development often revolve around infrastructure, employment, and politics. Yet one of the most pressing issues remains largely ignored: the lack of awareness about mental health and human psychology. This silence is especially pronounced within the Khasi community, where understanding of mental well-being is minimal, and misconceptions continue to thrive. If society is to progress meaningfully, mental health must be given the same importance as physical health and introduced to individuals from a young age.
Yes from an early age, students must be introduced to the concepts of emotional intelligence, mental health, and human behavior. By teaching children topics such as trauma, depression, anxiety, panic attacks and so on, they will grow into adults who can understand and empathize with others instead of jumping to baseless and indefinite conclusions. Education is not only about preparing students for jobs but it is also about shaping them into responsible and empathetic citizens. Without psychological awareness, society risks breeding intolerance, stigma, and cycles of misunderstanding.
The Khasi community, in particular, has suffered from a lack of awareness regarding mental health. Many individuals are unable to identify the signs of emotional distress either in themselves or others. Instead, suffering is often dismissed as weakness, laziness, or spiritual imbalance or as they usually phrase it in Khasi “U briew/ Ka briew ba biej; Ki briew bym biang khlieh.” Such attitudes deepen isolation, prevent people from seeking help, and contribute to a society that struggles to move forward. The lack of knowledge about trauma and psychological well-being has already had consequences such as rising levels of substance abuse, domestic issues, social stagnation and even worse, self-harm and un-aliving oneself.
To address this gap, the Government of Meghalaya must take urgent responsibility and encourage regular public campaigns, road shows and awareness programs in villages, towns, and cities to help bridge the knowledge gap. Workshops, seminars, and school initiatives should be organized to normalize conversations around mental health and to train individuals to recognize the importance of psychological well-being. Schools should integrate psychology into their syllabus, ensuring that the next generation grows up with an understanding of mental well-being. Local institutions, NGOs, and healthcare professionals must also collaborate to normalize conversations around mental health, breaking the stigma that has silenced so many.
Ultimately, the progress of a society cannot be measured only by economic growth or infrastructure but also by how its people treat one another. A society that does not understand mental health and human psychology will always falter in compassion and unity. For the Khasi community, and for Meghalaya at large, the way forward is to equip people with the knowledge of psychology and mental health. By doing so, not only will we raise stronger individuals, but we will also create a society rooted in empathy, understanding, and sustainable development.
Yours etc.,
Mebaphylla Rymshon,
Via email

Bilingual approach to education

Editor,
I read the article, “A Context-Specific Education for Northeast India” (ST Sep 6, 2025) written by Dr Samir Talati, with great interest. It speaks to the heart of what education should mean for us in the Northeast. The issues raised are close to the lives of parents, teachers, and children in our region, and they deserve both appreciation and reflection.
I deeply value the call for education that respects our languages, traditions, and ways of life. When a child hears and learns in its own tongue, he/she feels seen and valued. That sense of belonging builds self-confidence and makes learning joyful. However, I feel that along with cultural grounding, we must also ensure academic strength. Our children, while rooted in their identity, must also be ready to meet the wider world where higher education and opportunities are often shaped by English. A gentle bilingual approach may be the bridge we need.
I strongly agree with the concern for teachers. Many young men and women work as contractual teachers with the same dedication as regular staff, yet without fair pay or proper training. This is disheartening , for the future of our children rests on the shoulders of those very teachers.
The article also rightly points to gaps in higher education. Universities should be places that inspire and nurture minds, not institutions where overcrowding and poor governance stifle learning. More colleges alone will not solve the problem – what we need is quality teaching and genuine academic culture.
I also share the concern about high dropout rates, especially among girls. Free guidebooks and schemes like CM IMPACT are welcome steps, but real change lies in steady reforms—strong schools, fair wages, trained teachers, and caring monitoring. Technology can play a role, but only after basic facilities and human support are in place.
Education in the Northeast is indeed at a turning point. If we can blend cultural pride with academic strength, fairness with accountability, and empathy with reform, we will truly give our children both roots and wings.
Yours etc.
Jairaj Chhetry,
Tura

Why is Trump targeting India?

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By H. Srikanth

Trump’s tariffs on Indian goods have come into force. Initially, when Trump threatened to impose a 26% tariff on Indian goods and about a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, some sections in India expressed happiness, assuming that Indian goods in the US would become cheaper compared to Chinese goods. But Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports as a penalty for buying oil from Russia. Interestingly, the US imposed only a 30% tariff on China, although it buys more oil from Russia. The tariffs it imposed on Pakistan and Bangladesh are far less. This discrimination has come as a rude shock to Indian policymakers and the Trump admirers in India. Everyone has started wondering what had happened to the ‘bromance’ that existed between Modi and Trump. Where has all the bonhomie visible during the Aur Ek Baar Trump Sarkar and Howdy-Modi campaigns vanished? The two nations, who were once humming the song ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahee Chodenge‘, are now miffed with each other and singing the Bollywood number ‘Dost Dost Na Rahaa’. This twist in the relations between the two countries has become a subject of discussion in the media and policy circles. National and international experts are debating the reasons that prompted Trump’s harsh actions against India. There are interviews, talk shows and podcasts discussing whether the decision was motivated by personal reasons, or by calculated considerations of the US global interest.
Of course, Trump has personal reasons to grudge. Trump claimed he intervened and stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan from blowing into a full-fledged nuclear war. He declared he used tariff threats to force the two to stop the war. One does not know how far his claims are true. But in the current volatile political situation in India, it is politically suicidal for Modi to admit that India acted on Trump’s advice. Amidst the uproar in the parliament, Modi was forced to announce that no external forces influenced India’s decision to stop Operation Sindhoor. Officially, India has been maintaining the stand that it agreed to the ceasefire at the request of the Pakistani military establishment after India ensured that it achieved its goal of destroying the terrorist hideouts. In contrast, Pakistan did not deny Trump’s claims about intervention and even recommended Trump’s name for the Nobel Peace Prize. It is but natural for a megalomaniac and egotist like Trump to feel aggrieved when his ally refuses to give any credit to him.
According to some experts, Trump was disappointed to see that India, which is close to both Russia and Ukraine, did little to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The US contends that India took advantage of the war to buy crude oil from Russia at cheaper rates and made huge profits by selling the reprocessed oil to other countries. The US spokesperson alleged India abetted the Russia-Ukraine War by providing resources to Russia to arm itself against Ukraine. India’s active role in the BRICS is also not to the liking of the US. Although China is the largest importer of crude oil from Russia and active in BRICS, America cannot take action against China. But the US can do that to a relatively weaker ally like India. The US can blackmail only the weak, not the strong.
Apart from personal factors, some commentators held the US has its own strategic calculations in imposing higher tariffs on India. India’s total exports to the US, which include goods and services, is around $123 billion in 2023, with $83 billion in goods and $40 billion in services. That makes the US India’s single largest export destination. During the year, Indian imports from the US stood at only $75 billion, with $42 billion in goods and $33 billion in services. The US feels India has a trade surplus, and that it is not buying enough goods and services from the US. Even on the goods imported, the US contends India imposes higher tariffs on American goods, making them very costly. India also prevents American goods from entering agriculture and other related sectors. From India’s point of view, protectionism is needed for a developing country like India to protect native industry and agriculture. Ever since India went for liberalization, there has been a gradual reduction in customs taxes on foreign goods. But India cannot remove all restrictions, especially in sectors like agriculture, as that would have serious political implications. Justifying its position, India cites that even the American government also practices protectionism. But in international politics, where might is right, logic hardly matters.
Some think-tanks have argued that to America, ideological concerns of war and peace are secondary. The US is only acting pragmatically while deciding on the extent of tariffs on each country. It may accuse Russia and China of being authoritarian states. But it does not mind trading with them when its own interests demand. While all this talk about Russia-Ukraine was on, the US sent its emissaries to negotiate trade with Russia. Similarly, the US, despite its concerns about the growing power of China, cannot afford to impose higher tariffs on Chinese goods, as the American citizens depend on essential goods imported from China. Imposing higher tariffs on Chinese goods leads to inflation and many practical problems. China can withstand American pressure. American multinational companies working in China will face difficulties if China retaliates. Hence, despite strategic concerns, the US has to deal with China pragmatically. But this is not the case with India.
At one time, US policymakers believed in the ability to become an economic power and wanted to pit it against China. It was with that belief, the US included India as part of the QUAD and the US-led Indo- Pacific Strategic Alliance. However, of late, the US feels India has not risen to the level it expected. In economy and military strength, India is nowhere near China. True that the US and India have ideological and strategic commonalities. India may be a friend, but to the US, it has become a dispensable ally. Conversely, China is a foe, but it is indispensable. You can be harsh to a friend, but not to the enemy. Most likely, it is this realistic assessment, which made the US take a harsh decision on India. By imposing heavy tariffs on India, the US tries to communicate the message to its other allies that the US would not mind punishing even its friends if they went against the US interests. India, that way, appears to have become a soft target in the US game for hegemony in the fast-changing relations in the multipolar world.
What options are left to India? In the first four decades of independence, our economy was based on import-substitution, trade accounted for less than 10% of GDP. After liberalization, India sought to grow by emphasizing exports. Today, India’s trade revenues account for around 22% of the GDP. Over 15% of India’s exports reach the US. Talking about Swadeshi at this stage of economic development makes little sense. The increased tariffs on Indian goods, which now range from 50 to over 60% on some goods, are bound to make Indian goods less competitive in the US compared with Chinese, Pakistani and Vietnamese products. The US tariffs would adversely affect Indian export-oriented units such as textiles, seafood, handicrafts, jewelry, etc. In its own interest, the US avoided tariffs on pharma and IT products. As the tariffs cover only goods and not the services, Indian software companies are not affected now. Despite these small mercies, the US tariffs, if continued for a longer period, would affect the Indian economy. In the immediate future, one cannot expect any breakthrough in the negotiations between India and the US. India has to look for alternative destinations for exports. It has to strengthen its bonds with Russia, re-examine its relations with China and explore new trading partners. Only time will tell whether Narendra Modi will resolve the problems that his bosom friend has created for India.

Courtesy Is Not Compromise – It Is Humanity

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By Dapbianglin Sohkhlet

Earlier today, I was watching the news. The story was familiar, the narrative routine, but what followed was anything but. The comments section exploded with hostility, sarcasm, and vitriol. It wasn’t simply a disagreement. It was cruelty dressed as opinion. It made me stop and ask myself: What kind of thoughts are we nurturing in this generation? When did expressing ourselves become an excuse to attack others?
Imagine a guest arriving at your home. Instead of being warmly welcomed into a beautifully arranged drawing room, furnished with comfortable sofas and cushions, they are told, “No, not there, that room is reserved for special occasions.” How would such a guest feel? Unwelcome, unvalued, perhaps even unwanted. This analogy reflects the experience of many tourists today. When excessive rules and restrictions are imposed on visitors to the point where they fear even setting foot in a place, how can we expect them to feel genuinely welcomed? Tourism sustains our communities, but if tourists are made to feel like intruders, constrained by fear of breaking arbitrary laws or encountering hostility, the very lifeblood of our economy and culture is put at risk.
Yes, money is important. Safety is important. It is not simply a matter of wanting these things and having them handed to us. Rather, it is the approach, the manner in which we engage, communicate, and enforce that truly matters. We must work thoughtfully on how we balance these needs with respect and kindness, ensuring that the pursuit of safety and economic well-being does not come at the expense of humanity and warmth.
We live in such fears, so much so that we tend to overdo, overthink, and denigrate others, which leads to destruction. Remember, in our Khasi words, “Ka ktien ka kham nep ban ïa ka wait,” our tongue is stronger than a sword. That is what we believe. But all I see in today’s generation is that people are waging a war of slander, which leads to the destruction of others without a second thought.
Let me share a story. A group of four girls, all the same age, had miscommunication problems, differences in opinions, and different thought processes. All of them were right in their own stance. But you know what made one of them wrong while sharing opinions? It was the anger before understanding that destroyed everything. She was right, but when anger speaks louder than your thoughts, it tends to lose the validity and the truth. It is the action of how you present, rather than what you mean. The fear of being wrong, of being unheard, of being irrelevant, grips us tightly. And from that fear, we let emotion race ahead of understanding. We speak before we reflect. And in doing so, we burn bridges that were never meant to be set aflame.This lesson extends far beyond personal friendships. It applies to how we relate to strangers, to tourists, to those outside our comfort zones. Tourism feeds many of our communities. It brings life to our economies and sustains families. But if our attitudes toward tourists are shaped by resentment or entitlement, if we speak carelessly, act indifferently, or treat others with coldness, then we do more than lose business. We lose our humanity.
Hospitality is not a performance. It is a value. We don’t have to agree with or conform to the visitor’s expectations, but we do have a responsibility to show kindness, patience, and integrity. A visitor may forget what they saw or spent, but they will never forget how they were made to feel. And the impact of one moment, one word, one action can echo far beyond what we see.
Let us not mistake harshness for strength, or rudeness for honesty. Let us not allow fear or pride to lead us into wars of over-speaking, where the loudest voice wins and the wisest voice is lost.
What we need, above all, is to understand one another to recognise both perspectives and truths. It is not about one side being entirely right or the other entirely wrong; it is about adopting an approach that seeks dialogue rather than imposition, collaboration rather than command. We must move towards a more holistic way of thinking, one that strives to achieve together, not to push or pull each other apart.
This is not the time for blame games. Instead, we must first reflect inwardly, examine ourselves, fix what lies within, and only then look outward to others. Let us show strength not through dominance or defiance, but through the very kindness and calm strength that we Khasi people carry from our homes and our upbringing. Let us not forget our roots; our strength has always been found in humility, in kindness, and in love.
I am not here to defend anyone, nor to argue for one side or another. I am simply speaking from a place of humanity and the belief that being human and being kind must never go out of fashion.
Perhaps the time has come to unlearn certain habits: the instinct to respond before listening, the need to be louder rather than clearer, the urge to dominate a conversation instead of understanding its silence. Kindness is not weakness. Humility is not submission. Being courteous does not mean we are giving up our rights; it means we are giving others their dignity.
What legacy are we leaving behind if our children learn that anger is a form of expression, and arrogance a substitute for truth? We must not let noise replace wisdom. The next generation will inherit not only our land and our language, but also our behaviour. Let us hand down gentleness, not rage. Let us pass on the courage to care, not the compulsion to conquer.
We must remember: being right is not enough if your delivery destroys your message.
In the end, it is courtesy, not force, that shapes lasting impressions. It is empathy, not anger, that builds trust. And it is silence, sometimes, that speaks the loudest truth.
My writing is not to offend anyone, but to share my observations.

Taxi body told to drop inapt ‘Sikkim model’ demand

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 8: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Monday dismissed the demand of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) to adopt the “Sikkim model” of restricting tourist taxis from outside the state, calling the comparison “misleading”.
“Sikkim is an endpoint state, while Meghalaya is a transit state. A large number of vehicles pass through here as part of longer tourist circuits—Kaziranga to Shillong, Sohra and then Silchar. These are travellers in transit,” Lyngdoh said.
He added that it was wrong to claim that taxis from outside are barred in Sikkim, pointing out that many West Bengal-registered vehicles regularly ferry tourists there.
Warning that the AKMTTA’s demand could have wider repercussions, the minister said, “Every action has a reaction and any decision must stand the test of logic and law.”
He urged the association to engage with their counterparts in Assam, noting that many operators already hold national or multi-state permits covering both Assam and Meghalaya.
Lyngdoh also underlined a shortage of vehicles within the state and advised local operators to capitalise on their advantage by partnering with homestays, resorts, and hotels. “Why should the government do this for them when they can build such partnerships themselves?” he asked.
Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Cyril VD Diengdoh said the government is exploring both short- and long-term measures. To ease immediate concerns, he said the Tourism Department has proposed a scheme subsidising high parking fees at Guwahati airport for Meghalaya-registered taxis to allow them to compete with others.
He pointed to the ongoing expansion of Shillong airport, which will allow direct flights from major Indian cities. “This will reduce dependency on Guwahati and bring tourists straight to Meghalaya,” he said.
Diengdoh reminded that the Northeast is marketed as a composite destination, with tourists typically visiting multiple states.
“Meghalaya operators are already taking tourists to Arunachal Pradesh via Guwahati. Only Assam vehicles are not necessarily doing that,” he noted.
He also highlighted government schemes, such as a 50% subsidy on high-end vehicles for local tour operators, while stressing that homestay owners, hoteliers, and village authorities also have a stake in tourism operations.
He cautioned that any knee-jerk policy could hurt Meghalaya’s own people, many of whom rely on Guwahati for medical treatment, education, and connectivity.
“Decisions must remain within the framework of the law. All-India and three-state permits govern inter-state transport, and we cannot act outside these legal provisions,” Diengdoh said.

Govt to crack the whip on VIP culture, misuse of power

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Protocols being finalised, says Deputy CM

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 8: The state government on Monday announced that it is finalising strict protocols to curb the misuse of power and the rampant VVIP culture in Meghalaya.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home (Police), Prestone Tynsong said that the state government is finalising strict protocols to curb the misuse of power and the rampant VIP culture in Meghalaya.
He said the days of impersonation, tinted glasses, and unauthorised sirens are numbered, with firm action to follow against offenders.
He also said that the government intended to send a strong message that impersonation is not acceptable under any circumstances and that, no individual will be allowed to misuse symbols of authority to display power.
He added that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is in the final stages. The Director General of Police has been directed to frame it without delay.
According to Tynsong, exemptions for the use of security paraphernalia will only be considered after review by the Home Department, both political and police, but otherwise, the crackdown will be uncompromising.
The announcement came in the wake of a high-profile arrest outside the Main Secretariat on Friday, where the police detained an individual, Mebanshem Snaitang, along with a dozen of his “bodyguards” posing as law enforcement personnel.
Three high-end vehicles were intercepted, and the police seized magazine pouches, air guns, and air pistols, preventing what could have been a serious security breach at the state’s administrative hub.
Snaitang, who described himself as a businessman and aspiring politician, is alleged to have close links with influential political figures in the state, including cabinet ministers.
Sources revealed that he regularly visited the office of a senior cabinet minister at the Secretariat. Unconfirmed reports also suggested he may have had ties with jailed HNLC leader Julius Dorphang although the police have not confirmed this.
Investigations further indicated that Snaitang has already begun preparing to contest the 2028 Assembly elections from the Mawhati constituency. His outreach reportedly includes donating chairs, providing financial aid, and gifting a large smart television to a village in the constituency.
The arrest raised questions about security lapses and the unchecked culture of privilege. The government’s promise about tough measures will now be tested on whether these new protocols can break the cycle of entitlement and misuse that has long gone unchallenged.

Cabinet examining report on quota policy, says Paul

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 8: Tourism Minister and government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh on Monday said the Cabinet has begun examining the Expert Committee’s report on the State Reservation Policy, but cautioned that it will take time to study the “voluminous and bulky” document running into several thousand pages.
He said that the committee was tasked with reviewing the existing policy, recommending changes if required, and holding wide consultations across the state.
“After due diligence, we should be able to come up with decisions on the recommendations,” Lyngdoh assured.
On being asked about the timeline, he said the report was only received recently and is under initial scrutiny.
“We have taken cognisance of the report, and we will formulate our stand before deciding what needs to be done,” he said, adding that the recommendations include both status quo and fresh proposals, including economic considerations.
Lyngdoh insisted that the Cabinet has not delayed action since the report was submitted in June.
“We will not commit the mistake of rushing into any decision. Each recommendation carries weight and legal implications, so we must examine them thoroughly,” he said.
When told that Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang was tasked to study the report in-depth, he said that the chief secretary had briefed them earlier in the day on his report. He said that as Cabinet members, they have their questions, concerns, and points for greater clarity.
Lyngdoh said that they will ensure any decision taken on the report is balanced.
He confirmed that the government has the option to accept or reject the recommendations.
“The final decision lies with the government since it is only a recommendation,” Lyngdoh stated.
The Expert Committee, chaired by the retired Justice Mool Chand Garg, was constituted in September 2023. It submitted its findings in June this year.

Riot police use water cannon on protesters during clashes outside parliament building

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Riot police use water cannon on protesters during clashes outside parliament building in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday. Violent protests by youths against a government ban on social media sites rocked the nation, with police’s use of force leaving at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigning over the situation. (PTI)

Deputy Speaker steps down, sparks speculation about cabinet berth

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 8: In a surprising development, Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira resigned from his post on Monday following a late-night call from Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, triggering speculation of a cabinet reshuffle.
Shira revealed that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma called him around 11 pm on Sunday and asked him to step down. Shira said he complied without hesitation, explaining that as a senior-most party man, he believed it was not his place to ask why.
Confirming the resignation, Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma said an emergent meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) was called to review the calendar of the ongoing autumn session and fix the date for electing a new Deputy Speaker. He informed that the election would be held on the last day of the session on September 12.

Police vehicle vandalised during clash in city locality

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 8: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police), Prestone Tynsong on Monday confirmed that a police vehicle was partially vandalised in connection with a violent confrontation in Jaiaw between a group of youths and suspected KSU members.
He said the situation was normal and the local Dorbar was working in close coordination with the police.
The incident occurred after a verbal altercation at Khyndai Lad on Friday evening when a group of youths intervened after a drug user was assaulted by alleged KSU members.
The tensions re-emerged on Saturday night, with five alleged KSU members reportedly assaulting the youths, accusing them of being drug addicts and urinating near the KSU office.
Three of the youths sustained injuries and were later discharged after receiving medical treatment. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, stated that no FIR had been filed by either side. The central leadership of the KSU has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

SSA teachers want govt to clear air on TET applicability

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 8: The Meghalaya SSA Schools’ Association (MSSASA) on Monday sought a clarification from the Education Department on its position regarding the Supreme Court ruling on the applicability of the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) to all in-service teachers.
Members of the MSSASA met Commissioner and Secretary of Education, Vijay Kumar Mantri, to discuss the issue.
In its ruling on September 1 in the case of Anjuman Ishaat-E-Taleem Trust Vs the State of Maharashtra & Others, the Supreme Court made it mandatory for all teachers, including those already in service, to clear the TET within two years. Failing to do so will result in termination, with such teachers either compulsorily retired or given the terminal benefits due to them.
Talking to reporters, MSSASA president Aristotle Rymbai said that as stakeholders in the education sector, they wanted to understand the stance of the state government on the ruling and its implementation in Meghalaya.
As per the ruling, Rymbai said all in-service teachers appointed prior to the enactment of the RTE Act, must pass the TET within two years, effective from September 1, 2025.
The order makes two key distinctions: teachers with less than five years of service are not required to clear the TET, while for those with more than five years of service, passing the TET is mandatory.
Additionally, teachers appointed before the RTE Act, who seek promotion, are also required to clear the TET, even if their service is less than five years.
“We discussed these points in detail with the Commissioner. He (Mantri) assured us that the government will take a decision on this matter in the coming days. Most likely, after the autumn session of the Assembly, the Education Department will deliberate further on the Supreme Court ruling,” Rymbai said.
From the Association’s side, he added, they have requested the government, through the Commissioner, to consider introducing a special exemption in view of the long years of service rendered by many teachers.
Rymbai pointed out that the ruling applies to all categories of teachers—government school teachers, private school teachers, SSA teachers, and DSE teachers.
According to him, many of these teachers have been serving for 15, 20, or even 25 years.
“We strongly feel that their service must be duly considered. The Commissioner assured us that he would place this suggestion before the government in the forthcoming meeting,” the MSSASA president said, adding that the Commissioner also reassured them that teachers need not panic over the ruling.
He further said that the government will soon take a call on the matter and issue clear directions and clarifications.
The MSSASA president said the Commissioner clarified that before this Supreme Court ruling, teachers appointed prior to August 23, 2010—the date of the NCTE notification—enjoyed exemption.
“However with this latest order, the exemption no longer applies,” Rymbai added.