Saturday, January 17

Meghalaya

After Meghalaya, Manipur has imposed night curfew on Bangladesh border
Meghalaya

After Meghalaya, Manipur has imposed night curfew on Bangladesh border

The Manipur government on Tuesday night instructed the Deputy Commissioners of two districts, Pherzawl and Jiribam, to impose a night curfew and bolster security and vigilance in anticipation of a flood of refugees from Bangladesh, which has been rocked by violence. The Joint Secretary of the Home Department stated in his instruction that there is a possibility of a migration of persons from Bangladesh into Manipur because of the current state of law and order in that nation. "Strict precautionary measures need to be taken to prevent the influx of illegal migrants," the order stated, requesting that night curfews be implemented by the Deputy Commissioners of the two affected districts in addition to other preventative measures like district police and other security forces keeping a...
Meghalaya High Court issues notices over NEET UG Exam irregularities in Jowai and Nongpoh
Meghalaya

Meghalaya High Court issues notices over NEET UG Exam irregularities in Jowai and Nongpoh

The Meghalaya High Court has issued notices to the concerned authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET UG exams conducted at the Jowai and Nongpoh examination centers. The writ petition, filed by Eleazer Vincent Lyngdoh and others, targets the National Testing Agency (NTA) and additional parties, citing significant issues with the exam administration. During the hearing on August 5, Y Pallavi, counsel for the petitioners, emphasized the urgency of the matter due to the controversy surrounding the NEET UG exams in the two centers. Dr. N. Mozika, DSGI representing respondents No. 1, 2, and 3, acknowledged receiving instructions and requested one week to file an affidavit. The court granted this request and scheduled the next hearing for August 12, 2024. “Prayer is allow...
Meghalaya High Court has issued notice for NEET UG examination irregularities
Meghalaya

Meghalaya High Court has issued notice for NEET UG examination irregularities

The Meghalaya High Court has issued notices to concerned authorities regarding the alleged irregularities in the NEET UG Exams held in the Jowai and Nongpoh examination centres. The writ petition was filed by Eleazer Vincent Lyngdoh and others against the National Testing Agency (NTA) and others. During the hearing on August 5, counsel for the petitioners Y Pallavi submitted that the matter has some urgency, as it involves controversies regarding the NEET UG examination at 2 (two) centers namely Jowai and Nongpoh. The court said that Dr N. Mozika DSGI for the respondents No. 1, 2 & 3, submitted that he is in receipt of instructions, and prays that he may be allowed one week’s time to file affidavit. “Prayer is allowed, accordingly list this matter on 12.08.2024, for further orde...
Meghalaya forms committee to review SSA non-teaching staff salaries
Meghalaya

Meghalaya forms committee to review SSA non-teaching staff salaries

The Meghalaya government has established a Rationalisation Committee to evaluate proposals for salary increases and rationalisation for all Samagra Shiksha (SSA) non-academic staff in the state. This move comes amid ongoing protests by SSA employees, who are demanding an 80% salary hike. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the formation of the 20-member committee, which is led by Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri, during a meeting with representatives of the All Meghalaya SSA Non-Teaching Staffs Association (AMSSANTSA) at his office. Currently, over 1,200 SSA non-teaching staff are staging an indefinite sit-in protest at Malki ground. They have rejected the government's offer of a 25% salary increase, insisting on an 80% raise, plus an additional 2% based on seniorit...
HYC sets deadline for Lum Survey eviction
Meghalaya

HYC sets deadline for Lum Survey eviction

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has issued a stark warning of a "drastic step" if illegal settlers in Lum Survey are not evicted by August 19. This ultimatum follows a recent meeting with East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and the CEO of Shillong Cantonment Board regarding an earlier eviction drive conducted by the HYC on May 23. HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem criticized the lack of action by the authorities, questioning why the defence estate officer had neither signed a lease agreement with the settlers nor recognized them as tenants on the 0.248-acre plot. He demanded to know why the eviction action was stalled under the Public Premises Eviction Act, noting that only a few business owners had sought legal reprieve while many illegal settlers remained unaffected. Synrem expr...
19 Bangladeshi boats seized by BSF in Jadukata river
Meghalaya

19 Bangladeshi boats seized by BSF in Jadukata river

The troops of the 193 Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Meghalaya intercepted and seized 19 wooden boats belonging to Bangladeshi smugglers in the Jadukata River near Ghumaghat on July 29. The smugglers were attempting to cross into Indian territory to collect stone boulders and sand, the BSF said in a press release. The operation underscores the dedication and vigilance of the BSF in securing the border and preventing illegal activities. Sharing the successful operation on X, BSF Meghalaya stated, "On 29 July 2024, the vigilant troops of 193 Batallion BSF Meghalaya successfully seized 19 Bangladeshi wooden boats in Jadukata River near Gumaghat while the BD smugglers were attempting to cross into Indian territory for stealing stone boulders and sand." The swift and effici...
C H Vijayashankar to be sworn in as Meghalaya Governor today
Meghalaya

C H Vijayashankar to be sworn in as Meghalaya Governor today

C H Vijayashankar, the newly appointed Governor of Meghalaya, will be sworn in today, July 30, at Raj Bhavan, Shillong. The oath of office will be administered by Chief Justice S. Vaidyanathan of the Meghalaya High Court during a ceremony scheduled for 4:30 pm. The ceremony will be attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials. Vijayashankar's appointment is part of a recent gubernatorial reshuffle announced by President Droupadi Murmu on July 27, which saw new governors appointed for nine states across India. A seasoned politician from Karnataka, Vijayashankar brings extensive legislative experience to his new role. His political career spans multiple decades and includes terms in both state and national legislatures. First elected to the...
Meghalaya tourism industry condemns tourist harassment, reports heavy losses
Meghalaya

Meghalaya tourism industry condemns tourist harassment, reports heavy losses

Tourism stakeholders in Meghalaya have condemned recent incidents of tourist harassment by local NGOs and pressure groups in popular destinations such as Sohra and Dawki. The industry reports a 30% loss in bookings and a potential 50% cancellation of tours due to these actions. On July 26, members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) stopped vehicles registered in Assam at the Umtyngar junction, approximately 20 km from Shillong, demanding that tourists turn back. Industry representatives urged these groups to stop intimidating tourists, stating that such actions damage the state’s reputation and economy. They highlighted recent lawlessness, including violence against workers, and noted a US travel advisory as a factor necessitating urgent action to restore normalcy. ...
Bryan Adams Announces ‘So Happy It Hurts World Tour’ in India, Starting December 10
Meghalaya

Bryan Adams Announces ‘So Happy It Hurts World Tour’ in India, Starting December 10

Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams will commence his five-city India tour in Shillong on December 10, 2024, as part of his 'So Happy It Hurts World Tour.' The tour, presented and produced by SG Live in collaboration with EVA Live, will feature stops in Gurugram, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, concluding in Hyderabad on December 16, 2024. Fans can look forward to live performances of Adams' iconic hits such as "Summer Of '69," "Everything I Do I Do It For You," "Please Forgive Me," "Run To You," and "18 Till I Die." The tour will also highlight his Grammy-nominated 2022 album, So Happy It Hurts. Expressing his enthusiasm, Adams said, "I'm incredibly excited to be coming back to India! There's a unique connection I feel with the Indian audience. Your passion for music is truly inspiring, and...
Khasi and Garo languages now approved for postal recruitment exams
Meghalaya

Khasi and Garo languages now approved for postal recruitment exams

The Ministry of Communication, Department of Posts, Government of India, has officially approved Khasi and Garo languages for postal recruitment examinations. This landmark decision reflects a significant step toward recognizing and incorporating local languages into national recruitment processes. The approval, detailed in an Office Memorandum (OM) issued on July 10, 2024, follows a proposal by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. On May 23, 2023, Sangma advocated for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo as language options for Gramin Dak Sevak and other postal positions in Meghalaya. His proposal was directed to Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw. Under the new policy, candidates in Meghalaya can now choose between Hindi, E...