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Meghalaya’s drug racket worth Rs 1,000 crore monthly: VPP

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: The VPP on Tuesday alleged that Meghalaya’s drug trade has grown into a racket worth over Rs 1,000 crore a month, thriving with the tacit protection of those in power.
VPP chief Ardent M. Basaiawmoit told the Assembly that such a business could not operate at this scale without political and official complicity, accusing the government of shielding mafias while society bleeds.
“I was also told by a very reliable source that drugs business is more lucrative and even surpassed the illegal transaction of coal. Surprisingly, the transaction is stated to be over Rs 1,000 crore a month. This government has been seen as one that promotes mafias and racketeers,” Basaiawmoit said while moving the special motion on the alarming increase of drug addicts and people with HIV in the state and its impact.
He questioned the alleged nexus between mafias and the police, citing complaints that seized consignments mysteriously vanished from custody. He said a recently surfaced video of addicts admitting to police involvement demanded nothing less than a thorough probe.
Basaiawmoit argued that the menace of narcotics had surpassed militancy in its ability to destroy lives, claiming that the state has an alarming number of three lakh addicts. He accused the government of treating the crisis casually despite having shown zero tolerance when militancy was at its peak.
While militancy was crushed with an “iron fist,” he said, the approach to drugs has been half-hearted, with schemes like the Drug Reduction Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) proving ineffective. He asked why the state failed to act firmly when sections such as 8 and 27 of the NDPS Act provide for strict penalties against consumers.
Accusing the administration of misplaced priorities, Basaiawmoit said the government’s penchant for music festivals had only fuelled access to liquor and drugs, with syringes and empty bottles found strewn across venues.
He said addicts are now resorting to violence and even attempting to stab innocent citizens to secure money for their next dose, thus creating fear across communities. “How can people in power sleep soundly when lives are being destroyed under their nose?” he asked.
He urged the government to change its approach by categorising drug users and tailoring rehabilitation methods accordingly, while also studying the social and cultural factors that fuel addiction.
Sounding a grim note of caution, Basaiawmoit warned that if unchecked, Meghalaya risked drifting into narco-terrorism, as mafias and cartels tighten their grip on society.
He said public trust in the police had eroded to the point that citizens were afraid to come forward, leaving traffickers emboldened. “The sincerity of the government is in serious doubt,” he said, urging the House to act before it is too late.

Assembly Briefs

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Tynsong warns pressure groups against harassment of labourers

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday clarified that while pressure groups may check the documents of labourers, any act of intimidation or harassment goes beyond the law and will not be tolerated. He said this while responding to a query on the ongoing checks by pressure groups against suspected illegal migrants. Tynsong noted that it was acceptable if such groups asked workers without papers to collect and produce the required documents. However, he stressed that actions involving threats or torture were unlawful. He further underlined that the government welcomes interstate migrant workers to Meghalaya but insisted that they must carry valid documents as mandated by law. The Deputy Chief Minister said the government’s position remains clear — document verification by pressure groups is permissible, but only within legal limits, and workers must comply with the requirements set out in the relevant Acts.

Water crisis deepens in city; daily deficit crosses 14 million litres

The Opposition in India has called for urgent answers to the pressing issue of acute water shortage in Shillong, which is currently experiencing a shortage of over 14 crore litres of water per day. The government has revealed that Shillong requires 55.83 million litres of drinking water daily, but only 41.78 million litres are supplied, leaving a deficit of 14.05 million litres. In Mawlai alone, the daily requirement is 9.25 million litres, but the supply is only 6.475 million litres, creating a shortfall of 2.775 million litres. Public Health Engineering Minister Marcuise N. Marak assured that the gap in Shillong would narrow once the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase III) is completed. The government has also sanctioned a new water supply scheme worth Rs 700 crore, with the proposed Wahrynthem project expected to add 33 million litres of water per day, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said in his response. Opposition leader Mukul M. Sangma raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of water sources due to erratic weather and climate change. In response, the Chief Minister pointed to externally aided projects aimed at spring rejuvenation, catchment protection and broader natural resource management. He also stressed the role of the Meghalaya Climate Council, chaired by him, in coordinating departments to address these challenges.

Opp not to field candidate for Deputy Speaker’s post

The Opposition has decided not to field any candidate for the election to the post of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. Confirming this, Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma on Tuesday said he had discussed the matter with VPP chief Ardent M. Basaiawmoit and it was collectively decided that they will not put up any candidate for the election. 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. The election for the Deputy Speaker’s post is scheduled to be held on September 12 but with the Opposition deciding against contesting the election, any candidate nominated by the MDA will be elected directly.

Opp slams MDA govt over ADC bailout move

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: The Opposition on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the state government for its decision to take up the responsibility of paying the salaries of Autonomous District Council (ADC) employees.
The opposition parties demanded clarity on the constitutional provision under which such powers were invoked. They observed that the move undermines the autonomy of the councils and amounts to breach of commitments made under the Sixth Schedule.
Opening the short-duration discussion, VPP chief and Nongkrem MLA Ardent M. Basaiawmoit said the government’s announcement rattled the public and triggered serious doubts about its hidden motives.
While it might look like a benevolent gesture, he argued, the real issue was the government’s attempt to interfere in a domain that is constitutionally mandated to the ADCs.
He reminded the House that the same administration had earlier refused to release the dues of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and deprived the constituencies, represented by opposition MDCs, of schemes, thereby exposing, what he termed, a selective and politically motivated approach.
Even in the GHADC and the JHADC, where employees went unpaid for months, the government has not shown any urgency to intervene until now, he said.
Pointing to Meghalaya’s precarious financial position, Basaiawmoit asked where the funds would come from for a recurring liability of this scale. He noted that the state already has one of the highest debt-to-GSDP ratios in the country, making the government’s assurances ring hollow.
He invoked the tripartite tax agreement among the Centre, the state and the ANVC, which clearly laid down mechanisms to prevent diversion of funds and envisaged the role of a State Finance Commission — provisions that, he alleged, the government was bypassing.
Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma said the government’s stance was contradictory and lacked constitutional grounding. He referred to Para 13 of the Sixth Schedule, stressing that councils were entrusted with defined responsibilities, and any attempt by the state to take over their functions was nothing short of a constitutional violation.
He reminded the Assembly that the 2004 tripartite tax settlement agreement, signed in the presence of then Union Minister Rajnath Singh was a solemn pledge by the Centre, the state and all political stakeholders to strengthen, not weaken, the ADCs. To deviate from that commitment now, he warned, would be a betrayal of trust with far-reaching ramifications.
Mukul noted that powers such as primary education has already been taken away from the ADCs, and warned against further eroding their authority under the pretext of resolving salary crises.
He said if the government continued to dilute the powers of the ADCs instead of honouring the constitutional intent, they risk ending up as orphans.
He pressed for transparency, insisting that any decision of such gravity must flow from exhaustive consultations, not unilateral announcements.
Echoing this, Basaiawmoit urged the government to release the KHADC’s share immediately, increase budgetary support, and order probes into corruption in councils rather than encroaching upon their autonomy.
No infringement on ADCs’ constitutional authority: Tynsong
In his response, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong clarified that the state government has no intention to infringe or encroach upon the constitutional authority of the three ADCs.
He admitted that concerns had been raised regarding the government’s recent decision to extend a bailout package to the councils, but clarified that the move was meant only to address the financial challenges faced by the institutions and not to undermine their powers.
He explained that when the Cabinet decided on the bailout, it was also resolved to constitute committees at both the state and district levels.
Tynsong stated that the committees would submit their report within 45 days after consultations with all stakeholders.
“Only then will the government take a final decision,” he said.
He pointed out that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, was the first to dare to offer such a bailout support despite financial constraints, as the plight of the council’s employees compelled intervention.
Tynsong also presented revenue and expenditure figures of the three ADCs to highlight the recurring deficits.
According to him, the JHADC generates an average annual revenue of Rs 68.98 crore from minerals, forests, and transport, but spends over Rs 100 crore on salaries, leading to a significant deficit.
He further said that the GHDC earns about Rs 24.15 crore annually, while its salary expenditure stands at around Rs 84 crore, leaving a shortfall of nearly Rs 60 crore.
Tynsong added that the KHADC collects approximately Rs 46.11 crore each year, but requires about Rs 72 crore for salaries, creating an annual deficit of Rs 25.9 crore.
He noted that these financial challenges were not new and had been accumulating over the years, compelling the state government to consider bailout measures.

Meghalaya stares at massive employment gap in govt sector

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: Meghalaya is staring at a massive employment gap, with nearly 67,500 government jobs falling short of demand.
This was revealed during the question hour of the State Assembly when Chief Minister explained that while close to 70,000 young people become eligible to enter the workforce every year, the state can accommodate only around 2,000 to 2,500 of them in government posts, leaving a yawning deficit.
He noted that recruitment is currently under way for about 7,000 existing vacancies across departments.
Unveiling the government’s strategy to tackle the challenge, Sangma said a career counselling programme will serve as the backbone of the state’s employment plan.
Spread across 34 centres under the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), the initiative will deploy trained counsellors to guide youth in 25 identified sectors, including defence, banking, engineering and others.
The chief minister maintained that the idea is to prepare young people with the skills needed to compete for both government and private-sector jobs.
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma backed the move but urged the government to ensure focused support for specific avenues such as defence and armed forces recruitment. In response, the Chief Minister assured that these areas are being given due emphasis under the programme.
Looking to the future, Sangma said job potential has been mapped under Vision 2030, identifying sector-wise employment prospects and investment requirements.
He pointed out that tourism alone is expected to generate nearly 54,000 jobs, with opportunities ranging from hospitality roles in five-star hotels to demand for drivers and service staff.
He stressed that the government, in partnership with MSSDS, has broken down employment needs department-wise and will align career counselling to prepare youth for the next decade of opportunities.

Govt unveils urban overhaul plan worth Rs 6,000 crore

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: Urban transformation with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore across Meghalaya’s urban centres such as Shillong, Tura and Jowai, is on the state government’s cards focusing on improving mobility, upgrading amenities, adopting modern planning tools, and strengthening community partnerships; measures expected to bring lasting improvements in the quality of life in these towns and cities.
This was revealed by Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Urban Affairs, Sniawbhalang Dhar, in his reply to a motion moved by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem on urban infrastructure and sanitation in the Assembly on Tuesday.
According to Dhar, the government’s urban initiatives aim to transform towns and cities into sustainable centres of growth, ensuring that infrastructure development keeps pace with Meghalaya’s urbanisation.
Dhar acknowledged challenges such as congestion, housing shortages, infrastructure gaps, and poor waste management in towns like Shillong, Tura, and Jowai. To address these, the government is promoting sustainable urban development through GIS-based planning, improved transport, and better public spaces.
Under the Infrastructure Development Scheme, Rs 25 crore was allocated in 2024-25 for upgrades in Shillong, Nongstoin, Nongpoh, and Mawkyrwat.
He added that the Online Building Permission System under MUDA is now operational, allowing citizens to apply for and receive building permits digitally. The government is also working to extend the system to the Autonomous District Councils.
Meanwhile, Dhar said the Wah Umkhrah riverfront is being developed as a public space, while New Shillong Township is being planned as the first modern city in the Northeast with tree-lined roads, water supply, and waste management facilities.
To ease congestion, new roads are under construction and 35 modern AC buses are being introduced. Under the PM eBus Sewa scheme, 50 electric buses will be deployed by 2026, supported by a new depot in New Shillong.
The government has also launched the Chief Minister’s Green Taxi Scheme and the Regional Transport Scheme to strengthen public transport.
In Tura, a 10.5 TPD recovery facility has been completed, dumpsite remediation covering 10,000 tons is in progress, and 40% of legacy waste at Rongkhon landfill has been processed under a Rs 5.1 crore project. A 7.5 MLD sewage treatment plant has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 11.35 crore, while Rs 15.06 crore has been spent on drains, roads, and fencing.
In Jowai, a 6 TPD compost plant and a 4 TPD recovery facility are ready, while a 25 MLD sewage treatment plant has been approved at Rs 3.75 crore. The town also received Rs 8.8 crore for roads, drainage, and public facilities.
In Nongpoh, Dhar said a Detailed Project Report worth Rs 5.06 crore has been prepared to transform the non-functional Umshangling waste facility into a sustainable system with up to 95% resource recovery.
On mobility and parking, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the Shillong Urban Mobility Policy 2024 and the Meghalaya Parking Policy 2025 have been introduced to promote reliable transport and ease congestion. He said that over 1,500 parking spaces are being developed, while private landowners and Dorbar Shnongs are being encouraged to build facilities with capital grants.
Parking management in Shillong now includes electronic ticket vending and mobile apps, with operations already launched in Mission Compound and Nongrim Hills.
On livelihoods and street vendors, Dhar said a survey of 1,400 street vendors in Shillong has been completed. Of these, 407 vendors from Khyndailad have received vending certificates and were relocated to stalls in the MUDA Parking Lot. Similar relocation initiatives are planned for other localities.
On waste management and sanitation, he informed that the state has adopted a comprehensive Solid Waste Management strategy aligned with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs guidelines. Eight towns have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), while the Shillong and Jowai Municipal Boards have achieved ODF+ status.
He added that Rs 74.93 crore has been approved under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 (Urban) for solid waste action plans, sanitation, and capacity building. In Shillong, a 25 TPD Material Recovery Facility and sanitary landfill project are underway, while biomining of 3.45 lakh metric tons of waste at Marten landfill is 41% complete at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore.
Dhar further stated that faecal sludge management is being strengthened through two operational treatment plants in Shillong, supported by cesspool vehicles. Scheduled desludging will also be introduced across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to ensure regular septic tank cleaning at regulated charges.

Nearly 10-km ‘Eastern Bypass’ aims to ease city’s traffic woes

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: Plans for “Eastern Bypass” stretching 9.95 km from Sohryngkham to Mawshbuit and Mawlynrei was unveiled by the state government in the Assembly on Tuesday. This proposed project aims to ease Shillong’s chronic traffic congestion by diverting commercial vehicles away from the city.
Replying to a question from Mawryngkneng legislator Heaving Stone Kharpran during autumn session of the Assembly on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads), Prestone Tynsong said the bypass is part of a long-term solution to problems along the Mawshbuit-Happy Valley road, where the 58 Gorkha Training Centre has erected a gate that has inconvenienced residents of Mawshbuit.
He informed that the government had already received a gift deed from the Mawshbuit village authority to provide land for the alternative road. A preliminary survey has shown that the Mawshbuit-Mawlynrei stretch covers four kilometres, of which 300 metre falls under defence land. The government, he added, is in talks with defence authorities to secure access for the construction.
Tynsong further said that once the Sohryngkham-Mawshbuit and Mawshbuit-Mawlynrei stretches are connected, the route will function as the Eastern Bypass, eliminating the need for commercial vehicles to enter Shillong. He stressed that the government is committed to a permanent solution and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved.
On the 600-metre Mawshbuit–Happy Valley road under defence control, the Deputy Chief Minister pointed out that its condition is deplorable. He said the government would take up the matter with defence authorities for repair, but if they decline, the state is prepared to carry out the work. He also noted that a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the defence establishment is expected soon.
Tynsong assured that the government’s focus is on ensuring residents of Mawshbuit no longer face road-related hardships, with the bypass project forming the centrepiece of its permanent solution.

The psychology of narcissism: A study

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You’ve probably seen the word “narcissist” thrown around online in headlines, on dating apps or in therapy-themed TikToks. But the label that people often unthinkingly slap on toxic bosses or reality TV villains hides a much more complicated psychological picture.
Psychologists have studied narcissism for many years, but over time, our understanding has evolved. One of the biggest changes is that today, narcissism is no longer seen as just grandiosity, arrogance or egotism.
Early scientific descriptions of narcissism focused on dominance, ambition and self-importance, all of which are traits associated with traditional masculine stereotypes. That meant narcissistic tendencies in women were often misread or overlooked.
When those traits show up as emotional sensitivity, insecurity or relational manipulation, they sometimes still are misdiagnosed as anxiety, mood disorders or borderline personality disorder traits.
The most extreme and persistent forms of narcissism can sometimes be diagnosed as narcissistic personality disorder.
This condition was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual, in 1980. But most people with narcissistic tendencies won’t meet the threshold for a diagnosis.

So what does the research actually say?

Narcissism in general is now understood as a complex set of personality characteristics that can show up in different ways.
Psychologists had long suspected that there might be different kinds of narcissism, but it wasn’t until 1991, when researcher Paul Wink and his colleagues presented a model including grandiose and vulnerable subtypes, that they were more formally recognised. Although there are other models, this remains one of the more popular approaches to understanding narcissistic tendencies in the wider population.
A 2021 review by US psychologist Joshua Miller and his colleagues pulled together decades of research to offer one of the most authoritative summaries of how psychologists now understand narcissism. It explains that narcissism has a common foundation, which includes things such as self-importance and entitlement. It then branches into different forms of narcissism, such as grandiosity, antagonism and vulnerability.
Researchers now often use the terms grandiose and vulnerable to describe two major forms of narcissism. One person with narcissistic traits may be bold with high levels of grandiose traits, confidence and emotional resilience.
Another might be defensive, anxious and hypersensitive to criticism. Both show signs of narcissistic self-focus, but they end up looking quite different in how they experience and express emotion.
In a 2022 research paper I wrote with colleagues, we carried out the first meta-analysis examining how narcissistic traits relate to the ability to control one’s emotions.
The results showed that vulnerable narcissism is consistently associated with greater emotional difficulty, which means these people might find it harder to keep their emotions in check.
In particular, people with high scores on vulnerable narcissism scales are more likely to rely on suppression. Suppression is a strategy that people use to hide or inhibit their emotional expressions, and has been linked to poorer well-being. On the surface, suppression might sound like self-control.
In some situations, it can be. For example, keeping a lid on your emotions when your boss is yelling at you. But trying to mute emotional expression without addressing the underlying emotions increases stress when it becomes our default strategy. It can worsen mental and physical health over time.
In contrast, grandiose narcissism wasn’t linked with emotion regulation difficulties. In fact, several of the studies included in our analysis suggest that people with higher levels of grandiose traits may not experience as much emotional distress in the first place. This challenges the popular idea among researchers that people who exhibit narcissistic tendencies are also experiencing emotional instability.

Emotional intelligence and self-perception

The differences between forms of narcissism show up in emotional intelligence research as well. In a 2021 systematic review on narcissism and emotional intelligence, my colleagues and I found that people with grandiose traits often said they were good at understanding and managing emotions.
For instance, how well they think they can handle anger or recognise others’ emotions.
But when their skills were tested using emotion tasks (such as recognising facial expressions or identifying the best way to respond to an emotional situation), their performance didn’t always match up with how skilled they said they were.
This is consistent with a 2018 study, which also found that people with grandiose tendencies rated themselves as emotionally skilled but performed worse on skill-based emotional intelligence tasks compared to other participants.
In contrast, people with vulnerable narcissistic traits tend to rate themselves lower in emotional intelligence and seem to genuinely struggle more with managing emotions in everyday life.

So what should we make of all this?

It’s time to move beyond the pop-psych trend of labelling difficult people as narcissists. Narcissism isn’t about taking too many selfies.
And no, the partner who ghosted you or the colleague who dominates meetings isn’t necessarily high in narcissistic traits either – no matter how much we might like to complain about them over coffee.
These kinds of casual diagnoses aren’t just unhelpful, they’re often wrong.
Narcissism is a complex psychological pattern that can show up in different ways and can reflect a deeper struggle with things such as self-esteem, emotion regulation and social connection. Understanding this doesn’t excuse people’s bad behaviour – not at all.
But it does help us look past the stereotypes to get a clearer picture of what narcissistic traits look like in everyday life.
(The Conversation)

Society’s support crucial for war on drugs: Paul

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh told the Assembly that the fight against drugs in Meghalaya is not just a government effort but a collective battle that requires society’s full support.
Replying to the special motion moved by VPP legislator Ardent M. Basaiawmoit, Lyngdoh said that the state government is relentlessly pursuing the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, describing it as a menace that “threatens to make us victims, but the choice is ours.”
“I am sure we all share the grave concern over the emerging situation. At the same time, I would also like to recall the glimmer of hope expressed by the Leader of Opposition when he referred to the famous song ‘We Shall Overcome’, which once galvanised an entire society to fight against apartheid,” he said. “This is not us versus them. This is the state of Meghalaya, the people of Meghalaya fighting in unison. Rather than succumbing to defeat, let us be victors and never victims,” he stressed.
He said that drug abuse is not just a regional or national crisis but a global menace, and Meghalaya’s proximity to the Golden Triangle has made the state especially vulnerable.
Responding to a clarification sought by Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma on the total inventory of seized drug consignments, Lyngdoh said that all such consignments have already been destroyed. He explained that, whenever due permission is obtained from the High Court of Meghalaya, the government organises incineration programmes at designated sites to ensure proper disposal of the seized drugs.
To Sangma’s suggestion that civil society representatives be present during such exercises to instil confidence and avoid any doubts, Lyngdoh clarified that the incineration of seized drugs carried out on January 23 was done in the presence of the village head, the district SP, and a representative of the high court. The process was also documented and shared in the media for transparency.
He said that Meghalaya has, for the first time, invoked provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988.
“Today, there are five repeat offenders serving detention in jails under PIT-NDPS in Meghalaya,” the Minister said, adding that the Act empowers law enforcement agencies to detain traffickers for not less than a year, and also to attach properties and freeze bank accounts of accused persons and their families.
Lyngdoh further said the government has adopted a “mission mode” approach by integrating departments, including Health, Police, Education, Social Welfare, and Law, under the leadership of the Chief Minister.
As part of this initiative, the state has sanctioned the post of an SP for the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), set up a dedicated ANTF police station, and created 12 district-level units.
“During the last five years, police have registered 603 NDPS cases, arrested 1,069 accused persons, and seized large quantities of contraband items,” he said.
Highlighting recent successes, Lyngdoh revealed that in just 10 days, contraband worth ₹5 crore was seized from East Jaintia Hills and Shillong.
The Minister also underlined the state’s focus on rehabilitation and awareness. Meghalaya has 12 rehab centres, including seven supported by the government, while new de-addiction facilities are coming up in districts without coverage. The state is also collaborating with 62 NGOs and running awareness drives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, reaching over 30,000 men and 12,000 women.

Growing visibility of flesh trade in PB triggers debate in House

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: Growing visibility of prostitution at Khyndai Lad, the state’s prominent commercial place, became one of the topics of debate in the Assembly on Tuesday after TMC legislator Miani D Shira flagged the “alarming” issue while participating in the special motion on alarming increase of drug addicts and people with HIV in the state and its impact.
Shira argued that the surge in sex work is closely tied to the sharp rise in HIV cases and substance abuse, describing them as inseparable crises. According to her, the increase in HIV positives is directly linked to “open and increased prostitution” across the city.
Reflecting on her three decades in Shillong, the Ampati MLA said the present situation was unprecedented. She pointed to Police Bazar, the stretch near the SP’s office, and even the vicinity of the Governor’s House as areas where the changes are stark. As a woman, she admitted it was deeply distressing to stand in the House and raise such concerns.
Describing the trend as both “alarming and unfortunate,” Shira urged the government and police to act without delay, while pressing for the involvement of NGOs, churches, religious groups and civil society in the fight against this menace.
‘Remove stigma’
On the HIV front, she called for testing facilities at all primary health centres to remove stigma, proper counselling for patients, and easier access to medication. She also warned that drug addiction had spread well beyond Shillong, with nearly 10% of state’s population affected, including large numbers in rural areas.
The MLA further pushed for the establishment of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in every district, with a special focus on facilities for women, arguing that most interventions remain urban-centric. “We cannot afford to ignore it any longer,” she stressed.

Cong’s anti-drug campaign targets locations across Khasi-Jaintia Hills

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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 9: The state Congress has launched a state-wide anti-drug campaign, targeting around 100 locations across Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
As part of the initiative, the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) on Tuesday hosted a food festival at the State Central Library premises to raise funds for the campaign.
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H Pala said the party’s primary focus is on educating the public and raising awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
“The food fest is just the beginning. From October, we plan to take the campaign forward in a big way,” Pala said, adding that schoolchildren will be involved in skits and other programmes highlighting the dangers of drugs.
Emphasising that the drug menace affects the entire community, Pala said the Congress aims to work with various organisations to make the campaign impactful. “We are not here to play politics. We want to create a society of hope and prosperity where drugs are not a hurdle,” he asserted.
While clarifying that the party does not have the resources to directly support rehabilitation for drug users, Pala said it will focus on awareness programmes. He added that the MPMC is already collaborating with foundations engaged in anti-drug initiatives.
Pala further stated that although the initial focus will be on Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the campaign will eventually be extended to Garo Hills. On the government’s DREAM Mission, he said the Congress has launched its own initiative but has no objection to working with the government to combat the drug problem.