Meghalaya

The ten Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) from the Northeast have united to press the central government for swift action on amending the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The decision came during a meeting held at Tripura Castle, Shillong, led by Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief, Pyniaid Sing Syiem. In a media briefing, Syiem stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has committed to addressing the ADCs' concerns by August 25. The newly formed committee, which Syiem will chair, aims to ensure a unified approach from all ten ADCs. The committee will include TIPRA Motha leader Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) member Elwin Teron as advisers. Syiem noted that Shah promised to finalize the ADCs' demands before presenting ...

The Meghalaya government is set to hold a crucial meeting with the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) today, aiming to address the long-pending issue of relocating 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong. This meeting has been awaited for months, with both parties under pressure to find a resolution. The state had earlier granted the Harijan committee two months to appoint a new president to facilitate the relocation discussions. The delay in addressing the relocation issue has been a significant concern, with the matter lingering unresolved for a considerable time. On June 13, the Meghalaya High Court granted a six-week extension to the state government and the HPC to continue their negotiations. Justice W. Diengdoh, who passed the order, noted that both sides indicated progress in their...

The Shillong Traffic Police (STP) have detected over 408 vehicles using unauthorized black or tinted films on their windows between July 14 and August 1, 2024. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb illegal vehicle modifications in the city. The authorities have taken action against the violators in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. The Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, urged all motorists to comply with the law and refrain from using black films on their vehicles, highlighting that it violates the directive issued by the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 265 of 2011. This directive prohibits the use of black films of any percentage on the windshield and side glasses of vehicles. "Strict action will be taken against the...

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...

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...

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...