Thursday, October 9

Meghalaya

Final preparations in place for Lok Sabha vote counting in Meghalaya
Meghalaya

Final preparations in place for Lok Sabha vote counting in Meghalaya

Necessary arrangements for the vote counting of Meghalaya's two Lok Sabha constituencies on June 4 have been finalized, officials confirmed. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) BDR Tiwari held a meeting with representatives from all political parties, providing a detailed presentation on the counting procedures. The CEO's office announced that the vote counting will commence promptly at 8:00 AM. A total of 369 tables will be used for the process, distributed across seven districts under the 1-Shillong (ST) parliamentary constituency (PC) and five districts under the 2-Tura (ST) PC. Specifically, 244 tables will be deployed for the Tura constituency and 125 for Shillong. The 15-Mawlai assembly segment, the largest in terms of the number of electors, will undergo counting in nine rounds. There...
Cyclone Remal devastates South West Khasi Hills; schools and homes severely damaged
Education, Meghalaya

Cyclone Remal devastates South West Khasi Hills; schools and homes severely damaged

Cyclone Remal unleashed widespread destruction across the South West Khasi Hills on May 28, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and homes. The District Disaster Response Authority (DDMA) reported significant damage to 17 schools and numerous residences, affecting many residents.In Ranikor Block, 15 schools were heavily damaged in the villages of Arlad, Nongmalang Mawpyllun, Nongnah Khadphra, Nongbah Jynrin Chitogre, Nongmluh Phlangdiloin, Mawphansaw, and Borsora. The cyclone left many school buildings unusable, severely impacting the local education infrastructure.Similarly, in Mawkyrwat Block, two schools in the villages of Nonglang and Shaid Shaid sustained damage. The loss of these educational facilities poses a significant challenge to the local community, necessitating alterna...
Government relocation plan gains traction; 200 street vendors from Shillong’s Khyndai Lad area volunteer for upgrade
Meghalaya

Government relocation plan gains traction; 200 street vendors from Shillong’s Khyndai Lad area volunteer for upgrade

Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced a positive response from approximately 200 street vendors in the Khyndai Lad area of Shillong, who have voluntarily registered for the government's relocation plan. The initiative aims to provide these vendors with designated spaces under one roof, equipped with essential facilities such as washrooms and water supply, which are currently lacking. Emphasizing the priority given to genuine residents of Meghalaya, Lyngdoh stated, "They will have identified spaces provided by Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA), ensuring basic amenities." This measure forms part of a broader effort to regulate street vending and enhance pedestrian spaces in Shillong. Addressing concerns about some hawkers being unaware of the relocation process, Lyngdo...
Tragic fire consumes Mupliang Presbyterian Church in West Jaiñtia Hills
Meghalaya

Tragic fire consumes Mupliang Presbyterian Church in West Jaiñtia Hills

The Mupliang Presbyterian Church, a revered place of worship standing for 15 years, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of today, plunging the local community into mourning and disbelief. The tranquil night was shattered around 1:30 am as flames erupted within the walls of Mupliang Presbyterian Church in the surroundings of the West Jaiñtia Hills district. Initial investigations point to a suspected short circuit originating from the church's storeroom, where a generator was housed, as the cause of the inferno, a detail corroborated by church elders. By 2 am, the fire had raged uncontrollably, devouring everything in its path. Despite frantic efforts by church members, who resorted to ringing the church bell in a desperate plea for assistance, the flames continued to spread relen...
New DGP vows enhanced police accessibility, targets crime against women and drug menace
Meghalaya

New DGP vows enhanced police accessibility, targets crime against women and drug menace

In her inaugural statements as the newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) of the state, Idashisha Nongrang emphasized leveraging her perspective as a woman to bolster safety measures and enhance police accessibility for all citizens. Addressing reporters on Monday, Nongrang underscored the imperative need for heightened police accessibility to the public. "There is ample room for improvement in terms of the accessibility of the police force to the public," she remarked, highlighting her commitment to fostering a safer environment for all. Responding to queries regarding the alarming rise in crimes against women despite efforts, the DGP assured a proactive approach towards addressing underlying issues. She noted positive strides in curbing crime rates in certain districts, cit...
Suspended Meghalaya cop files FIR against state DGP for alleged vehicle tampering
Meghalaya

Suspended Meghalaya cop files FIR against state DGP for alleged vehicle tampering

Suspended Meghalaya police officer Gabriel K Iangrai has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the state's Director General of Police (DGP), Lajja Ram Bishnoi, accusing him of misusing and tampering with the registration number of his vehicle.In the FIR registered at the Sadar Police Station, Iangrai alleged that DGP Bishnoi replaced the number plate of his white Kia Carnival Limousine model with a new registration number allocated to a Hyundai Verna 1.6 VTVT vehicle. The Hyundai Verna 1.6 VTVT vehicle had previously come under scrutiny of an enquiry committee investigating a vehicle scam allegedly involving Iangrai. The internal inquiry revealed Iangrai's involvement in the acquisition of 29 unregistered vehicles, which were allegedly used for personal purposes. Citing a Rig...
Justice Katakey’s report exposes extent of Meghalaya’s illegal coal mining crisis
Latest, Meghalaya

Justice Katakey’s report exposes extent of Meghalaya’s illegal coal mining crisis

The Meghalaya High Court finds itself at the center of attention following the submission of the 22nd interim report by Justice (Retd) Brojendra Prasad Katakey. The report, focusing primarily on the rampant issue of illegal coal mining and transportation within the state, sheds light on various concerning aspects of the matter. Presented by a single-member committee, the report delves into ongoing investigations, particularly highlighting concerns surrounding abandoned mines and the imperative need for environmental restoration efforts. It also underscores the necessity for auditing the allocated funds designated for these purposes. According to the report, a staggering total of 402 cases related to illegal coal transportation have been registered across various police stations in Meghala...
BSF thwarts smuggling attempts along India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya, seizes contraband worth over Rs 15 lakhs
Latest, Meghalaya

BSF thwarts smuggling attempts along India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya, seizes contraband worth over Rs 15 lakhs

In a display of commendable vigilance and proactive measures, the Border Security Force (BSF) in Meghalaya successfully intervened in several smuggling attempts along the India-Bangladesh border on May 7, 2024, thwarting the schemes of smugglers and safeguarding national interests.Utilizing precise intelligence inputs, BSF troops from different battalions executed separate operations across various Meghalaya districts, leading to the seizure of contraband valued at over Rs 15 lakhs. In the East Khasi Hills district, the 4th Battalion troops confiscated large quantities of cosmetic items, disrupting illegal trade activities. The confiscated goods were promptly surrendered to appropriate customs authorities to initiate legal proceedings, ensuring strict adherence to border security proto...
Meghalaya prepares for new top cop as LR Bishnoi bids farewell
Latest, Meghalaya

Meghalaya prepares for new top cop as LR Bishnoi bids farewell

Meghalaya is gearing up for a significant shift in leadership as Lajja Ram Bishnoi, the current Director General of Police (DGP), prepares to conclude his tenure. Bishnoi, an IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre from the 1991 batch, took charge on May 20, 2022, and is set to step down on May 19, 2024, as per an official government announcement made on May 7. Throughout his tenure, Bishnoi has been instrumental in implementing numerous reforms aimed at strengthening the state's police force, particularly in combating drug-related activities and enhancing overall policing efforts, with a special focus on Shillong. His initiatives have earned commendation from various quarters, laying a solid groundwork for his successor to build upon. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has...
NCC Group Headquarters in Shillong hosts prestigious guard of honour competition, celebrate cadet excellence
Meghalaya

NCC Group Headquarters in Shillong hosts prestigious guard of honour competition, celebrate cadet excellence

The NCC Group Headquarters in Shillong recently played host to a prestigious Guard of Honour Competition, underscoring a significant event that showcased the discipline and dedication of cadets hailing from the seven sister states of the North East. Spanning from May 4 to May 5, this competition witnessed an impressive turnout, with 39 teams vying for top honors, reflecting the unwavering enthusiasm and commitment of NCC units across the region. The event served as a testament to the skills and hard work of cadets representing all three services—Army, Navy, and Air Force—as they competed with fervor and displayed their exemplary performances. In a ceremonious gathering held on Monday, Major General Gagan Deep, ADG of NCC NER, bestowed honors upon the winners at David Hall, APS Shillong. N...