Meghalaya Archives - Page 203 of 208

21Aug

By Banasree SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya NEC employee accused of rape

A 58-year-old senior employee of the North Eastern Council, Meghalaya, has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody after he was arrested on Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 21-year-old female coworker. The accused identified as Shambhu Sharma is a cashier at the NEC. The arrest was made after the young woman filed her complaint at the Laitumkhrah police station in Shillong, in which she had narrated her alleged assault. The complaint mentioned that Sharma had asked the woman to accompany him to a bank in Shillong for assistance in some work-related task. Sharma was able to convince the young woman to come by his apartment to pick up his tie after he had gone to the bank. She claimed that as soon as she entered, Sharma violently sexually assaulted her. On Monday, the event ha...

Meghalaya CM denies cabinet reshuffle rumors

20Aug

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya CM denies cabinet reshuffle rumors

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has dismissed rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle following the recent political shifts in the state. The speculation arose after three Congress MLAs joined the ruling National People's Party (NPP) on August 19. Sangma addressed the rumors, clarifying that there are no immediate plans for a cabinet reshuffle and affirming that the government will continue its current operations. The NPP’s strength in the Assembly has increased from 28 to 31 seats due to the merger, giving the party an absolute majority. Despite suggestions that the defecting MLAs were promised cabinet positions, Sangma emphasized that their move to join the NPP was motivated solely by developmental priorities for their constituencies and was made without any conditions. ...

Meghalaya allocates 9 per cent of budget to health, eyes two new medical colleges by 2026

19Aug

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya allocates 9 per cent of budget to health, eyes two new medical colleges by 2026

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has announced that nearly 9% of the state’s budget is now allocated to the medical and health sector, marking a significant commitment to healthcare. Speaking at the inauguration of the Babies’ Critical Care Unit at Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Shillong, Sangma noted that this allocation might be among the highest in the country, reflecting the state’s prioritization of health services. The newly inaugurated unit, operational since May 1, 2024, is the first government facility in Meghalaya offering specialized care for newborns and mothers. It features a 30-bed complex equipped with a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Mother-Newborn Care Unit (MNCU). Funded through the Pradh...

Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Salseng C Marak dies

17Aug

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Salseng C Marak dies

Salseng C Marak, the former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a prominent Congress party leader, passed away on Friday at the age of 82. Marak died at Tura Civil Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment since August 12, following initial care at Holy Cross Hospital starting August 8. Serving as Meghalaya’s Chief Minister from 1993 to 1998, Marak was the sixth individual to hold the office. A respected politician, he represented the Resubelpara constituency in North Garo Hills in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Known for his integrity and termed the ‘Mr. Clean’ of Meghalaya politics, Marak was admired for his steadfast principles and leadership. Marak was notably vocal about the dangers of connections between militants and politicians, warning that such links could undermine Co...

HSPDP Presses for Faster Progress in Second Phase of Meghalaya-Assam Border Discussions

16Aug

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

HSPDP Presses for Faster Progress in Second Phase of Meghalaya-Assam Border Discussions

The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has called on the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to urgently resume the second phase of border negotiations with Assam. The party emphasized the need to address six remaining disputed areas between the two states, urging immediate action to resolve the century-old boundary issues. HSPDP President KP Pangniang voiced his concerns in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, expressing disappointment over the slow progress of the negotiations. While acknowledging the MDA government's efforts in resolving six sectors of the interstate boundary dispute in 2022, Pangniang stressed that addressing the remaining sectors must be a top priority. The appeal comes at a crucial time as tensions over unresolved border areas have pe...

Mawjymbuin Cave incident complicates High Court case

13Aug

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Mawjymbuin Cave incident complicates High Court case

Miscreants have reportedly broken into the Mawjymbuin Cave in Meghalaya to perform religious rituals, just days before the Meghalaya High Court is set to hear a case concerning a ban on Hindu worship at the site. A video circulating on social media shows the rituals being conducted and the lock securing the cave's entrance being forcibly removed. The High Court had imposed a temporary restriction on access to the cave following a ban that has sparked significant controversy. The court is scheduled to hold further hearings on August 14 to address the issue, focusing on a dispute between the Hindu organization 'Yatra' and the Dorbar Shnong of Mawsynram. The controversy began after the Mawsynram Dorbar Shnong prohibited Hindu devotees from offering prayers at the cave, which is revered...

FM Sitharaman extended a helping hand of 2500 crore rupees to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya

12Aug

By Banasree SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

FM Sitharaman extended a helping hand of 2500 crore rupees to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya

The Union Ministry of Finance has sanctioned Rs 2,500 crores to Meghalaya for the development of new roads under the Externally Aided Projects (EAP). Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on August 12, the details of which he shared on the microblogging site X. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong. "Had a productive meeting with Hon'ble Union Minister Smt. @nsitharaman ji," he stated in his post. conveyed my appreciation for the approval of new roads under the ₹2500 Cr Externally Aided Projects." CM Sangma also disclosed that he has asked the finance minister to assist and provide support for the creation of growth hubs in New Shillong and other regions. "Also requested her support for establishing growth hubs in Ne...

Northeast ADCs form committee to push for sixth schedule amendments

12Aug

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Northeast ADCs form committee to push for sixth schedule amendments

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 ...

HPC and Meghalaya government meet to resolve relocation issue

10Aug

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

HPC and Meghalaya government meet to resolve relocation issue

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...

India is below Pakistan in Paris Olympics Medal

9Aug

By editorNo Comments

Meghalaya

India is below Pakistan in Paris Olympics Medal

India, even after winning five medals at Paris Olympics, trails Pakistan in the overall medal standings, and people are finding it hard to cover their heads around it. Pakistan, with just one medal at the Games this year, ranked 53rd, while India ranked 63rd. This surprising outcome has aroused widespread discussion and confusion on social media, with many announcing it as the black day in Indian sports history. Some even called it India’s worst Olympics performance so far. However, what they are missing is the Olympic ranking system, which priorities gold medals over silver and bronze. Pakistan’s solitary gold medal, differentiates the India’s five medals, has moved it ten spots higher in the rankings.