About Meghalaya : Blog Title the same as above

Khasi body questions Prez Rule through RTI

Posted by Sinlung

SHILLONG: After over a month of President's Rule in Meghalaya, a local NGO has invoked the Right to Information (RTI) Act to know what prompted the Centre to bring the state under its direct control.

The Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) on Tuesday filed an application through the Right to Information (RTI) Act-2005 seeking detailed information from the Governor's secretariat. With this, Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary has come under the RTI scrutiny for recommending President's Rule.

HNYF president G H Kharshanlor said HNYF sought details of information on copies of correspondence, including those from the Governor's secretariat to the Centre, which recommended President's Rule, copy of correspondence materials from the Centre to the Governor's secretariat that approved the central rule in the state.

The Front has also sought information on the copy of correspondence materials sent by various political parties of Meghalaya, both from NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) and Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA), to Governor's office and vice-versa.

Citing the Supreme Court judgement of March 11, 1994, HNYF political secretary Sadon K Blah said, President's Rule before proclamation has to be backed by "material considerations" and not merely by the subjective satisfaction of the President. "Therefore, we would like to get the details of the material considerations that the Governor's office had considered before recommending PR in the state," Blah said.

"We wanted to know on what basis Article 356 of the Constitution became operational in the state and after getting the information through RTI we will get to know whether the Governor had abused the Constitution or not," Blah added.
Meanwhile, official sources pointed out that the Centre would have to withdraw President's rule (PR) from the State after May 19 if PR is not approved by Parliament within two months of it proclamation.

Meghalaya alerted on swine flu

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, Apr 29 : The Meghalaya government today sounded alert fearing attack of swine flu and directed veterinary doctors to keep a watch on the health of swine in the state.

''All veterinary officials posted across the district headquarters and sub-divisions have been told to keep a close watch on animals, particularly pigs, and report if any unusual symptoms or death is detected,'' Director of Animal and Husbandry Dr D Khonglah told UNI here.

He, however, added that there was nothing to worry because the virus had not affected India or its neighbouring countries.

Swine flu has been declared a medical emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). India has alerted those travelling to Mexico, the US, Canada, France and New Zealand. Passengers flying into India from affected countries will be quarantined at six major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Goa.

Meghalaya imports pigs from other states as pork is one of the favourite staple food. Veterinary officials said meat consumption in the State was 10,074 tonnes in 2007-08.

''Pigs are mostly reared in the State and some imported from neighbouring States,'' an official said.

Delhi rule poser under RTI

Posted by Sinlung

- NGO asks Mooshahary to explain his recommendation

R.S. Mooshahary

Shillong, April 29 : Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary, who was once the chief information commissioner of Assam, has come under the scrutiny of Right to Information Act for his recommendation to impose President’s rule in the state.

An NGO, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front, has sought information from the governor under the RTI Act on what ground he recommended President’s rule in the state.

The NGO said the purpose was to know whether the governor had misused his power to favour anyone.

The Youth Front’s president, G.H. Kharshanlor, told reporters this evening that they had submitted an application under the RTI Act 2005 at the governor’s secretariat today, seeking detailed information on the proclamation of President’s rule in the state.

“The people of the state should know the facts behind the imposition of President’s rule,” Kharshanlor said, adding that it was for the sake of transparency that they had filed the application.

The NGO wants copies of the governor’s correspondence to the Centre recommending imposition of President’s rule in the state and the documents sent by the Centre to Mooshahary in this regard.

After the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government won the trust vote on March 17 with the deciding vote of the Speaker, the Congress-led Opposition, Meghalaya United Alliance, met the governor and claimed that it was illegal.

Soon after, the governor recommended the imposition of President’s rule in the state, saying there was a constitutional crisis.

The Union cabinet approved President’s rule in the state on March 18 and it came into effect the next day with the President’s assent.

In its application, the NGO has also sought copies of the correspondence made by the MPA and the MUA to the office of the governor and vice versa.

“To our knowledge, after a Supreme Court ruling on March 11, 1994, regarding the dissolution of the Assembly, before the proclamation of President’s rule, this has to be substantiated and backed by necessary documents or material considerations and the recommendation should not be on subjective consideration,” the RTI application said.

The Youth Front’s political secretary, S.K. Blah, said after the trust vote on March 17, the state was “experiencing a political crisis and not a constitutional crisis” as cited by the governor. “What we understand is that it is a crisis of numbers,” he added.

The NGO, a non-partisan group, wants to know why the people of the state were deprived of a popular government and what was the logic behind the imposition of President’s rule. “We are living in a democracy and the imposition of President’s rule has come as a surprise to the people of the state. Many of us are in the dark on how and why it was imposed,” Blah said.

KSU taps governor on mining

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 29 : The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) met Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary and demanded cancellation of the uranium mining project in West Khasi Hills.

The KSU at a meeting with the governor today said though the Centre was keen to carry out uranium mining at the earliest, the students’ body would not allow mining of the mineral as it will impose tremendous health hazards.

“We wanted to convey the message to the Centre through the governor that the KSU will continue to oppose uranium mining in West Khasi Hills,” KSU president Samuel Jyrwa told reporters after the meeting.

According to Jyrwa, the students’ body cited facts and evidences related to the ill effects of uranium mining. “Though we had conveyed to him that that uranium mining would pose health hazards, the governor reiterated that mining would benefit the people of Meghalaya in particular and the country as a whole.”

The KSU leader said though the country was very much in need of uranium, the students’ body would not compromise on the issue in view of the dangers it would bring about once the mining activities are carried out.

Jyrwa, during the meeting, reminded the governor that majority of the people had opposed uranium mining in the state during the public hearing held at Nongbah Jynrin, one of the uranium mining sites in West Khasi Hills on June 12, 2007, organised by the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.

“Though the majority said no to uranium mining, the Centre on December 2007 had issued no objection certificate (NOC) to the UCIL to start uranium mining in the state”, Jyrwa deplored.

The KSU said by all means, the union would continue to oppose mining of uranium keeping in mind the interest of the people of the state.

The students’ body hoped that the government would not allow the UCIL to carry out uranium mining.

The KSU also apprised the governor on the urgent need of taking effective measures to check influx of foreign nationals into the state.

The governor assured the delegation that he would instruct police to intensify checking at the borders to prevent the entry of illegal migrants into the state.

Regarding border dispute with Assam, the governor told the delegation that since it is a political issue, both Assam and Meghalaya should resolve the matter amicably.

However, the governor said he would have a meeting with chief minister Tarun Gogoi to discuss the matter.

MLA disqualification: MPA wants hearing in Supreme Court

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong , Apr 27 The Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) today sought transfer of the special leave petition filed by the four disqualified rebel MLAs of the alliance, who had switched over to opposition Congress camp, to the Supreme Court from the Gauhati High Court.

In a petition to the Shillong bench here, MPAs lawyer Vijay Hansarika sought the transfer of all the four cases to the apex court.

The bench headed by Ashok Potsangbam accepted the plea and deferred the hearing of the case till May 4.

Earlier, admitting a special leave petition by the four disqualified MLAs, the Gauhati High Court had on April 24 issued a notice to Speaker of Meghalaya Assembly B M Lanong asking him why his order disqualifying the four MLAs should not be stayed.

Lanong had on April 8 disqualified the MLAs--KHNAMs Paul Lyngdoh, NCPs Sanbor Shullai and Independents Limison Sangma and Ismail R Marak days after placing them under suspension for switching allegiance from NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) to opposition Congress camp ahead of the controversial trust vote on March 17 last.

The Gauhati High Court had earlier stayed the interim suspension of the MLAs but the Supreme Court had given the Speaker free-hand to go ahead with the disqualification proceedings.

Sensitization on tobacco held

Posted by Sinlung

SHILLONG, April 26 : For promoting tobacco control activities, the Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM) in partnership with the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) organized a sensitization programme on the effects of smoking (passive and direct) for the representatives of the media in Shillong today.

Speaking at the sensitization programme, executive secretary of VHAM Eudora Warjri said the issue of tobacco is a matter of concern in the State. While health professionals have expressed worry about tobacco being the main reason for the rising cancer in the State, Warjri said, yet there are no concrete studies available that can measure the magnitude of the problem.

The sensitization programme also included in it education on ‘Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003’ with reference to the ‘Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rule 4 of the Act.’ Though the State Government is still in the process of notifying all the government departments, business institutions, hotels and other public places for the proper and effective implementation of the Act, the VHAM said that the sensitization programme for the media will help capacitate the media personnel to understand the Act.

Warjri said with the programme, the media can even join to spearhead efforts to combat the urgent health issue of the public.

It may be mentioned that the VHAM in partnership with VHAI implemented a project ‘Partnership against Tobacco and Action for Policies, Politics, Legislation and Empowerment’ supported by the Bloomberg Global Initiative from October 2008. The objective of the project is to contribute to the mainstreaming of tobacco control work at the State and district level.

Advocates from the Shillong Bar Association were the resource persons for the programme.

Jhum responsible for elephant menace in Meghalaya: Forest Dept

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong , Apr 26 Meghalaya Forest Department today blamed the depletion of forest cover for the increasing man-elephant conflict in the state.

At least 15 people have been killed by marauding pachyderms in the state in the last five years.

" Despite efforts by the forest department, there has been no significant improvement in the constant depletion of forest cover due to the practice of Jhum cultivation in the Garo hills region of the state," Meghalaya Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) V K Nautiyal said.

He said the destruction of natural habitat of elephants have forced them to wander into human habitations, where they get their fodder in the form of crops.

According to latest estimates, there are around 1,285 elephants in the Garo hills region. Scattered herds are often spotted in and around human habitats, who terrorise people, damage their houses, croplands and even trample humans.

Two elephants from Garo hills region had wandered into Bansali village Assam&aposs Dhubri district Friday, and trampled five persons of a family after damaging their house.

Delhi cautious on Central rule

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 26 : The adverse effects of the Opposition turning the Meghalaya political situation into an election issue may have led Delhi to adopt a cautious stance in regard to withdrawal of President’s rule in the state.

While the Centre has been treading carefully on the issue, two senior state Congress leaders are in Delhi trying to get the central rule withdrawn to facilitate the formation of a Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government in the state.

Sources said CLP leader D.D. Lapang has been camping in the national capital for about a week. Another Congress legislator from Garo Hills, Mukul Sangma, joined Lapang to take up the cause of the party with the central leadership.

Lapang, claiming majority support, met the Union home minister P. Chidambaram yesterday and urged him to revoke President’s rule so that a Congress-led government could be formed in the state.

However, this move has evoked criticism from the Nationalist Congress Party.

“How can Lapang camp in Delhi and mislead the Centre about the strength of his group?” the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance secretary, Conrad Sangma, asked.

Speaking to this correspondent, Sangma hoped the UPA, of which the NCP is a partner, would not take any hasty decision to withdraw President’s rule to favour the Congress.

According to Sangma, the Congress-led MUA with 27 members does not have the majority to form the government.

Lapang still considers the four disqualified legislators a part of the MUA, thereby taking its strength to 31, a stand the NCP finds illogical.

“If the Congress at the Centre takes a risk in withdrawing President’s rule only to help the state Congress form the government, the party will have to pay a heavy price at this juncture,” Sangma said, adding that this would become a “big election issue”.

He said the division within the Congress was very evident as one group led by party spokesman R.C. Laloo was negotiating with the UDP to form an alternative government without Lapang.

He also said another group led by Rowell Lyngdoh, the Congress leader from West Khasi Hills, wanted a change of leadership in the Congress so that like-minded parties could form the government.

“However, since Lapang considers this as the last chance to become the chief minister, he is camping in Delhi to get the blessings of the AICC, so that he can continue as the leader,” Sangma said.

On the other hand, the newly elected UDP Legislature Party leader, J.D. Rymbai, will be formally elected as the MPA chairman in a meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

MPA meet to chart solution

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 25 : A month after the imposition of President’s rule in Meghalaya, the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance will meet on Wednesday to discuss which way the combine should go to form a stable government.

With Nimarson Momin, a UDP legislator, withdrawing his resignation letter, the MPA’s strength of MLAs crawled up to 28 from 27.

The party, a major constituent of the MPA, looks forward to the return of Ampareen Lyngdoh, the other UDP legislator, to its fold soon to take the total strength of the alliance to 29.

Speaker Bindo Lanong said: “I have received a letter today from Momin dated yesterday withdrawing his resignation letter.” He set Monday as the deadline for Ampareen to withdraw her resignation letter. Lanong indicated that he would intimate the Election Commission about Ampareen’s resignation as an MLA only after meeting her in his office on Monday.

Many see J.D. Rymbai taking charge as the UDP’s new legislature party chief as a change in political equations.

A UDP legislator said today the meeting would discuss the possibilities of forming a popular government with like-minded parties.

According to him, there are two options before the UDP — to stake claim again on its own to form a government or to have a government with like-minded parties, including the Congress, provided it removed its legislature party leader D.D. Lapang. Congress sources said around 18 of their MLAs (out of 26) favoured a change in leadership to pave the way for a Congress-UDP government.

Buzz on quitters’ return to UDP

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 20 : The two United Democratic Party legislators, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Nimarson Momin, may return to the UDP fold after their meetings with Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Bindo Lanong.

Their separate meetings with the Speaker for the first time since their resignations could pave the way for their return to the party.

Ampareen today said she would meet the Speaker tomorrow but her decision to withdraw the resignation letter would depend on the UDP’s stand to provide a stable government.

Momin said he would first obtain the opinion from the people of the constituency in Garo Hills before meeting the Speaker.

Ampareen resigned as MLA on April 1 citing political instability as the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) and the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) could not form the government. Two days later, Momin resigned from the Assembly, criticising the stand of the UDP which resulted in the present political stalemate.

By not intimating the Election Commission about their resignations, Lanong, however, has kept the doors open for them to reconsider their decisions. Sources said the UDP legislators, who had resigned, now want the UDP brass to take a decision on having a Congress-UDP government in the state.

According to UDP sources, Ampareen could withdraw her resignation if the party which has 10 legislators including her, agreed to join hands with the Congress to form a stable government.

The sources said she would communicate this during her meeting with the Speaker tomorrow.

Momin said: “I am on my way to the Garo Hills and will meet my voters tomorrow. Once I get the majority opinion from the people of my constituency in the Garo Hills, I will decide accordingly and later I will come and meet the Speaker to convey my decision.”

The UDP leaders today indicated that by persuading the two UDP legislators to resign the Congress aimed at weaning away the other eight UDP legislators to support a Congress-led government.

Voting in Meghalaya

Posted by Sinlung

Voters showing their identity cards at a polling station at Byrnihat under Ri-Bhoi District in Meghalaya on Thursday. (Sentinel)

Fort Knox touch to ballot

Posted by Sinlung

Unprecedented security in Meghalaya strongrooms

Security personnel guard the strongroom on Friday.
A Telegraph picture

Shillong, April 18 : Meghalaya’s mandate, locked in electronic voting machines and stashed away in strongrooms, is being safeguarded with the vengeance with which the US government protects its country’s gold at Fort Knox.

Since there is a gap of a whole month before counting begins, the eight strongrooms across Meghalaya have been provided with a kind of security that has not been adopted anywhere else in the country for these parliamentary elections.

Fortified with three-tier security, the strongrooms have been fitted with night-vision cameras, closed circuit TVs, infrared ray devices and smoke detectors, giving them a touch of Fort Knox, considered one of the most secured addresses in the world.

A platoon of central paramilitary is guarding the 2,117 EVMs from Shillong and Tura parliamentary constituencies, which went to the polls yesterday.

The eight strongrooms are at the headquarters of the all the seven districts, Shillong, Nongpoh, Nongstoin, Jowai, Tura, Baghmara and Williamnagar and the civil subdivision of Resubelpara in Garo Hills.

“Meghalaya is the only state in the country which has adopted this security system given the gap of one month for counting of ballots which are sealed in the EVMs,” said the chief electoral officer P. Naik.

The infrared rays can scan the EVMs and every corner of the strongrooms even when there is no electricity.

Each strongroom has been closed with three locks in the presence of political parties, said Frederick Kharkongor, the returning officer of Tura parliamentary constituency.

“We have also put up barricades outside the hall leading to the strongrooms,” he said.

Twenty-four central police force personnel — one sub-inspector, three havildars and 20 sepoys — will take turns to guard the strongrooms round the clock.

The returning officer for Shillong parliamentary constituency, B. Dhar, said in the past there was only “normal security arrangement” as counting began just a few days after polling.

“Now, since the counting will take place only on May 16, we do not want to see any laxity in security,” he said.

55% polling in Meghalaya

Posted by Sinlung

Governor R S Mooshahary cast his vote at the Oakland Tourist Lodge in Shillong

Shillong: Over 55% polling was recorded in the two Lok Sabha constituencies of Meghalaya till 3 pm as voting proceeded smoothly barring stray cases of malfunctioning of EVMs.

In Tura, NCP candidate and the country’s youngest MP Agatha Sangma, daughter of political heavyweight P A Sangma cast her vote at the Walbakgre Lower Primary School.

She was accompanied by her father and mother, who also exercised their franchise at the same polling station.
Governor R S Mooshahary cast his vote at the Oakland Tourist Lodge in Shillong.

In Jaintia Hills district of Shillong constituency, two EVMs were replaced due to malfunctioning.

Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal told PTI that one EVM was replaced before polling began at Lamin (B) polling station, while another at Khliehriat was replaced as it developed a technical snag after only 26 votes were polled.

Altogether 12,77,879 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the 2117 polling station set up across the state.

Eleven candidates - seven for Shillong and four for Tura LS seats - are in the fray.

Police official suspended in Meghalaya

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, Apr 16 : A police official in Meghalaya has been placed under suspension for dereliction of election duty, official sources said today.

The police sector officer CJ Sangma was suspended for vanishing with a requisition vehicle allotted to him for mobile patrolling without prior permission from concerned authorities.

Earlier, two Presiding Officials–Vivash Hajong and Hambertash Sangma–were arrested and eight police personnel placed under suspension for violation of model code of conduct in Meghalaya.

Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Naik told UNI here that both the officials were put behind bars and showcause notices issued against them. He said eight police personnel were suspended for their failure to report for election duty in South Garo Hills.

30% polling in 2 Meghalaya constituencies

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong , Apr 16 An estimated 30 per cent voters exercised their franchise in Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha constituencies of Meghalaya till noon, amid reports of malfunctioning of EVMs at some places.

Polling was slow in the initial hours, but gradually picked up pace as the day progressed, official sources said.

In Jaintia Hills district under Shillong constituency, two EVMs were replaced due to malfunctioning.

Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal told PTI that one EVM was replaced before the polling began at Lamin (B) polling station, while another at Khliehriat was replaced after it stopped beeping after 26 votes were polled.

General Elections 2009 - Meghalaya

Posted by Sinlung

Meghalaya

Poll Date: 16th April

Total Constituencies: 2

‘Megha’, clouds, and ‘Aalaya’, Home, forms the name Megahlaya. The Meghalaya sky is always covered by clouds, truly giving it the name of Meghalaya. It is a state of Northern-Eastern India. It became a full-fledged State on January 21, 1972. The State is divided into seven administrative districts. The capital city, Shillong, is situated at an altitude of 1,496 meters above sea level. The state is dominated by The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes, which form the largest portion of its population.
Constituencies & their Candidates

Shillong
Dalington Dympep	CPI
Tura
Agatha K Sangma	NCP

Editor, UDP slapped show-causes for code violation

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, Apr 15 : Taking cognizance of an advertisement published in a prominent English daily in favour of the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate even after the campaigning for the two LS seats in the state ended, the Meghalaya Election department on Wednesday slapped show-cause notices to the regional party and the editor the daily.

The front-page advertisement published on Wednesday called upon the people to "vote" for UDPs John Kharshiing, who is also backed by the NCP and the BJP.

The election department said the advertisement amounts to violation of model code as it was published a day after campaigning for the two seats in the state ended.

Returning Officer Bhalang Dhar said the show-causes were served to the publisher of the advertisement general secretary of the UDP R A Lyngdoh and the editor of the newspaper, asking them to reply by 10 am tomorrow.

"If we are convinced that they violated the model code intentionally, we will have to intimate the Election Commission which will draw out the necessary proceedings against them," Mr. Dhar said.

Tidbit

Posted by Sinlung

A thought for the single parent

SHILLONG: Amid the plethora of welfare promises made by the candidates, the one made by United Democratic Party candidate for Shillong, John Kharshiing, stands out.

Kharshiing has chosen a scheme for the single parent and is promising to implement it, if elected.

According to the proposed scheme, a certain amount of money will go to the woman’s accounts for expenditure on children till they attain the age of 14.

Kharshiing said the scheme, primarily aimed at empowering single parents, has been introduced in 22 countries.

If Shillong chooses him as their representative to Parliament, he will request all the MPs to introduce a bill on the Child Benefit Scheme.

In countries where it has been implemented, the scheme is a centrally-sponsored one like the old-age pension programme which allows employers to assist their employees with childcare costs.

The US and Canada, for instance, have made it a point that each child gets $200 a month through a similar scheme for education and medical expenditure, he added.

The amount to be put into mother’s account in India can be worked out once the bill is introduced.

Displaced Reangs vote today

AGARTALA: Displaced Reang voters of Mizoram, sheltered in six camps in North Tripura district, exercised their franchise on Tuesday through postal ballots in eight centres at Naisingpara in Tripura.

Mizoram goes to the polls for its only seat on April 16.

A 44-member team of the Mizoram election department, led by assistant returning officer, Banglan Mwata, conducted the polls.

An observer of the Election Commission, S.M. Das, supervised the election process.

A total of 12,539 people are eligible to vote this time.

No one to share tea with!

DIBRUGARH: It may not be a cakewalk for AGP sitting MP from Dibrugarh, Sarbananda Sonowal, after all.

Simply because there is no Kamakhaya Prasad Tasa this time to play spoiler for Paban Singh Ghatowar by dividing the crucial tea votes.

However, Sonowal believes that he has found the solution to tackle this problem.

Sonowal had been utilising the services of BJP legislator from Duliajan, Rameswar Teli, and the secretary of the party’s tea cell Teros Gowala — who had lost by a thin margin to the Congress during the last Assembly polls — to woo the tea voters.

“It is good that my two trusted lieutenants (Teli and Gowala) had been able to do their job properly,” said Sonowal.

All for the mother tongue

SHILLONG: The Khasi language has become a top poll agenda in the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, with almost every candidate promising to empower the language once elected.

Most have also decided to try and include the language, spoken 15 lakh people in Khasi and Jaintia Hills in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution.

Congress candidate Vincent Pala says there is a need to protect the language from becoming extinct. John Kharshiing of the United Democratic Party also stressed the need to promote Khasi. The HSPDP candidate, Rev. P.B.M. Basaiwmoit, wants to find ways and means to attract people to read and write Khasi, while Meghalaya Democratic Party candidate Martle Mukhim said innovative methods should be adopted to improve the language.

CPI man banks on love and hope

Posted by Sinlung

Dalington Dympep. Telegraph picture

Shillong, April 15 : Dalington Dympep is the classic case of a man who came in from the cold.

A central Intelligence agency field official who lived a life of anonymity once, Dympep gave up his job to light the torch of Communism in Meghalaya way back in the seventies.

Driven by a passion for social justice, Dympep is a contestant for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.

The 79-year-old “comrade” is a low-profile candidate who does not believe in large public rallies. As an intelligence official, he served mostly in Nagaland and Myanmar, before quitting to join the Communist party.

“I used to travel a lot and after realising the pitiable conditions of my people, I decided to join the Communist party,” he said. And it was not the best of times for a Communist party leader.

“They (the local people) thought the red fag of the party was an anti-Christian symbol and must be avoided,” said Dympep.

Most people turned their faces when they passed the CPI party office where the red flags fluttered at Quinton Road in Shillong. It was in 1973 that Dympep became a full-fledged member of the CPI despite stiff opposition from the Church.

A resident of Mawlai Mawroh locality of Shillong, Dympep is one of the two tribals from the entire state who joined the Communist party in the seventies. The other was late Jogendro Lanong from Mawprem.

The anti-Communist propaganda is one of the reasons why the party made such slow progress in the state, Dympep feels. Besides, the absence of grassroots democratic movements in Meghalaya also retarded its growth.

But times are changing. The party is trying to make some inroads into the rural areas, he said. True to his Communist ideology, Dympep does not believe in a show of extravagance. Besides, he also does not have the monetary resources to organise large campaigns.

But that has not affected his popularity. At a meeting held at the CPI office, people from remote villages like Diengling in East Khasi Hills and Mawkyrwat in West Khasi Hills came to wish him luck. “They came from far-flung villages with their own money,” said Dympep, touched by their affection.

In a state where money speaks, Dympep says: “I do not have the money to fight elections. But I am happy that the love of the peasants and the downtrodden gives me strength”.

It was in 1989 that Dympep first contested the Lok Sabha polls from Shillong. Before that, he had served as the national council member of CPI for 10 years and had associations with veteran Communist leaders like A.B. Bardhan. Dympep’s poll agenda is to fight the growing inequality between the rich and the poor in the state.

Unlike the NGOs, what concerns him most is not the influx of foreigners, but the influx of poor villagers to the city in search of jobs.

“Once elected, I will fight for ensuring minimum wages and social security for the labourers, especially those in the rural areas, to check their influx to Shillong,” the secretary of the Meghalaya State Council of the CPI said.

Winning or losing is not an issue for Dympep who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections after a gap of 20 years.

“Whether I win or lose, I will continue to work for the people who are less privileged,” said Dympep.

The septuagenarian faces Vincent Pala of the Congress, Martle Mukhim of the MDP and John Kharsiing of the UDP.

Armed guards to ward off elephant menace in Garo hills

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 15 : Polling officials in Meghalaya’s Garo hills are gearing up for an armed resistance against elephants, which pose a greater threat to elections in the area than militants.

The returning officer for Tura parliamentary constituency has formed five teams of forest personnel to ensure that elephants do not mar the smooth conduct of elections in Garo hills, which has 19 elephant-sensitive polling booths.

The move comes on the heels of villagers spotting movement of wild elephants in parts of Garo hills since Sunday.

“Elephants have been moving in and around three villages — Naguapara, Belguri and Doldonga — since Sunday and we have drawn up emergency plans for the smooth conduct of polls on Thursday,” said Frederick Kharkongor, the West Garo Hills deputy commissioner who is also the returning officer for Tura.

According to reports, the elephants have destroyed crops and damaged the forest area in the three villages.

Kharkongor said the formation of the five teams of forest personnel armed with guns, tranquillisers and fire crackers would help to drive away the wild elephants if they create any trouble during the Lok Sabha polls.

Each of the five teams will comprise six forest personnel, two foresters and four forest guards. They will be stationed at Tura in West Garo Hills and four other vulnerable areas in East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills.

“I have also asked the superintendent of police of West Garo Hills to provide a police team to assist the forest personnel in case of an emergency,” Kharkongor said.

“Nineteen polling stations in Garo hills have been declared sensitive and vulnerable because of the elephant menace,” he added.

There are three elephant-sensitive polling stations in Dalu Assembly constituency, five in Salmanpara, three in Ampati, four in Selsella, three in Dadenggri and one in Raksamgre Assembly seat.

Kharkongor admitted that the district administration was more worried about the threat from wild elephants than from militants for elections.

“There are no active local militant groups in Garo hills and the other militant groups from the Northeast only use the Garo hills corridor to cross over either to Assam or to Bangladesh. Our worry is the havoc which can be created by the wild elephants,” Kharkongor said.

The returning officer met zonal polling officers and sector magistrates last evening to discuss the need to stay in constant touch with forest officials in case of an emergency.

“We have instructed the presiding officers to light fires in case they notice the movement of wild elephants near any of the polling stations. The forest personnel have also been provided with mobile phones for communication,” he added.

Poll code violation complaint against Meghalaya Governor

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, Apr 14: A former legislator has complained against Meghalaya Governor R S Mooshahary, alleging that he had violated the Model Code of Conduct by appointing the Advocate General and Additional Advocate General.
Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, Prashant Naik today said the complaint has been forwarded to the Election Commission.

In the complaint, D R Nongkynrih alleged that "the appointments of Advocate General and Additional Advocate General were made on the advice of Congress and without any clearance from Election Commission." On March 30, Mooshahary had named K S Kynjing as states new Advocate General, replacing incumbent G S Massar whose legal advice prompted assembly Speaker B N Lanong to ignore Governors directives during the controversial floor test on March 17.

Meghalaya Plans Massive Vaccination Programme to Deal With Meningitis

Posted by Sinlung

Meningococcal meningitis has continued to claim lives in Meghalaya, even as the authorities plan to launch a massive vaccination programme.

The growing number of cases of patients affected by meningitis has become a cause for concern for the state health authorities.

Local authorities have plans to undertake the vaccination programme in phases here.

"The moment we will receive the vaccines, we are going to undertake vaccination. The programme is already fixed. The programme will be executed in three phases. First phase will be for 3.5 lakhs of population. Second phase will be for 3 lakhs population and third phase will be for 3.6 lakhs population," said Dr. A. S. Kynjing, Director of health service (DHS).

People, however, complain that the government is not taking sufficient steps to control the deadly disease.

"I personally feel that government has done precious little. Inspite of the fact that union health ministry has issued the direction for mass vaccination. But today, if you will buy vaccines from Shillong, it will cost between Rs. 360 to 550. Those, who have it, can get themselves inoculated but those who do not, it's too bad for them. " David, a resident of Shillong.

Meningitis is caused by an infection in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord of a person. But it is curable, if treated promptly and with care.

A major epidemic in India had occurred in 1986, which caused 686 deaths, and over 7,400 reported cases. By D.Henpilen

Congress to move SC against Meghalaya Speaker

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong , Apr 12: Describing Meghalaya Speaker B N Lanong&aposs disqualification of four MLAs as"unconstitutional, undemocratic and biased", the Congress today said it would move the Supreme Court.

"It is a violation of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution and is undemocratic and illegal. We will not accept the disqualification. We are in the process of moving the Supreme Court," Congress leader D D Lapang said.

Lapang said," With 27 members behind us, we are in the majority (in the 60-member house)."

Stating that Congress would not allow dissolution of the house, which is in suspended animation after imposition of President Rule, Lapang, a former chief minister said,"It is imperative on the part of Governor R S Mooshahary to call Congress to form the government."

The Speaker disqualified the four MLAs, who had deserted the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance and sided with the Congress, late last night.

The four were -- Deputy Speaker and NCP MLA Sanbor Shullai, the lone legislator of Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Paul Lyngdoh and independents Limison Sangma and Ismail Marak.

The four were among the five MLAs who had deserted the MPA, reducing it to a minority from 32 to 27 members in the 60-member assembly. The MPA, however, survived the trust vote on March 17 with the casting vote of the Speaker, who had invalidated the votes of the four rebel MLAs.

Presidents Rule was imposed in the state on March 19 after the Governor cited a"constitutional breakdown".

Lapang had paraded 31 MLAs, including the four rebels, before governor last week, staking claim to form the government.

Parties wary of midterm elections

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 12 : The political parties in Meghalaya do not want mid-term elections. Having been elected to the Assembly just a year ago, the legislators feel it is too early to seek fresh mandate.

The main reasons behind the parties’ reluctance is a feeling of uncertainty about their political future, the huge expenditure involved and stiff opposition to fresh elections from the 22 first-time legislators in the House.

After the disqualification of four legislators and the resignations of two UDP MLAs, the strength of the 60-member House has been reduced to 54, of which the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance and the Meghalaya United Alliance have 27 legislators each.

Senior Congress legislator Charles Pyngrope said today, “I do not think any political party will like to have mid-term polls at this moment.”

The party, however, is ready to form the government with like-minded parties, he said, echoing Congress Legislature Party leader D.D. Lapang’s views.

The UDP and the NCP are also opposed to mid-term polls.

“I feel that mid-term polls are not necessary at this moment,” UDP leader Bindo Lanong said.

Meghalaya bandh over Gandhi visit

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 11: The proscribed Meghalaya based Hyniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has called a 24-hour Meghalaya bandh from the evening of April 12 to the evening of April 13 .

According to the email statement sent by the HNLC punblicity secreatry Sainkupar Nongtraw today, the outfit has called a bandh that will come into effect from 6 pm on Aprl 12 till 6 pm of April 13 which is understood to be in protest against the proposed visit of the Congress president and UPA Chairmnan Sonia Gandhi to Shillong.

Gandhi is supposed to give an election speech.

The reason that the HNLC called for a bandh is sorrounded on three points.

The outfit's oppossition to the Indian Republic and Constititution and the "double standards" adopted by the Union government to the letter given by the outfit.

The statement that reiterated the leadership stand was full of critical notes against the politicians especially it casted they want more of elections than making the next generations.

Tribal outfit calls bandh to protest Sonia's Meghalaya visit

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong , Apr 10 The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has called a 24-hour bandh to protest the visit of Congress president Sonia Gandhi here on April 13.

HNLC has called the bandh from six pm on Sunday, as a mark of protest against the Centre&aposs alleged failure to respond to the group&aposs demands.

"New Delhi has forcibly annexed Khasi-Jaintia and have not shown interest to liberate it till date," HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in an email to the media today.

Gandhi is scheduled to visit Shillong on Monday, to address a rally as part of the campaign for party candidate Vincent Pala.

Polling in Garo Hills to go hi-tech

Posted by Sinlung

TURA, April 10 – The election authorities in the Garo Hills are beefing up their preparedness for the coming polls with high-end gadgets and use of ancient human techniques to chase away wild elephants that could disrupt polls in some areas.

The possible threat of elephant attacks on polling parties has led to the election officials to depute special teams to chase away the wild pachyderms. Satellite phones are being provided for the first time, to election teams for the April 26 elections to Tura Parliamentary seat.

This decision was taken during a high level meeting of election officials with the Chief Election Officer, P Naik, at Tura on Wednesday.

The Returning Officer to Tura Parliamentary seat, FR Kharkongor, informed that six forest patrol parties have been put on standby to move at a moments notice to any location where elephant movement is reported.

The most vulnerable zones for elephant intrusion are in Dadenggre, Selsella and the border region of Dalu and Purakhasia. Four deaths were reported in Selsella area a couple of weeks ago, when a rogue elephant went on the rampage destroying houses and standing crops.

The election officials are also providing twenty satellite phones to poll officials covering shadow areas where mobile phone coverage do not exist. Police wireless sets and installation of BSNL antennas are also being taken up for an overall coverage of the polls by the election officials.

Previous elections witnessed delayed reporting of the polling percentage due to lack of proper communication network.

The Returning Officer also informed that law and order has so far been peaceful in the run up to the polls but the recent blasts in Assam has raised concern. Night patrolling of the international border has been intensified by the BSF while the police and the army are conducting combing operations in sensitive areas of Garo Hills bordering neighbouring Dhubri and Goalpara districts of Assam.

CPI favours dissolution of Meghalaya Assembly

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, Apr 10 : The Communist Party of India (CPI) today asked the Centre to dissolve the Meghalaya Assembly to end the current political imbroglio.

”The attempted move to install a Congress-led government in the state prior to the Lok Sabha election only indicates the eagerness of the party to influence the course of election,” the CPI in Meghalaya said in a statement.

The CPI said Governor R S Mooshahary should not fall prey to the ”machination of political parties guided by narrow partisan outlook” while taking any decision on the present tussle for power in the state.

The party said the best course of action would be dissolution of the Assembly to seek fresh mandate.

Four rebel MLAs disqualified in Meghalaya State Assembly

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 9 : Meghalaya Speaker B. M. Lanong has disqualified four MLAs who had withdrawn support to the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) before the trust vote (March 17), which the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) survived with the casting of vote by the Speaker.

Deputy Speaker and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Sanbor Shullai, the lone MLA of Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) Paul Lyngdoh and independents Limison Sangma and Ismail Marak incurred disqualification under the 10th Schedule and thereby ceased to be members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly with immediate effect, Lanong said.

The four of the five rebel MLAs, who had deserted the MPA and reduced it to a minority from 32 to 27 members in the 60-member assembly.

The MPA, however, survived the trust vote on March 17 with the casting vote of the Speaker, who had invalidated the votes of the four rebel MLAs.

One of the rebel MLAs, Hill State Peoples Democratic Party’’s Advisor Pariong, had gone mysteriously gone missing prior to the trust vote. But having skipped the Trust Vote, he resurfaced and later returned to the MPA.

President’’s Rule was imposed in the state on March 19 after the Governor R S Mooshahary cited a ”constitutional breakdown”.

The disqualification on Wednesday night comes as a blow to the Congress, which had last week staked claim to form the government, parading 31 MLAs, including the four rebel MLAs, before the Governor.

The Governor, “convinced at the Congress” claim”, was understood to have recommended the Centre to revoke President’’s Rule.

However, given Wednesday’’s disqualification, Congress” strength has now come down to 27.

The MPA too has 27 members, including the Speaker, with two of the legislators of the MPA-constituent United Democratic Party resigning from the party as well as assembly last week.

Meghalaya Speaker disqualifies four ‘erring’ legislators

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, Apr 9 : Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Bindo M Lanong today disqualified four ”erring” legislators under the provisions of the Tenth schedule of the Constitution of India.

The four legislators, including Deputy Speaker and NCP MLA, Sanbor Shullai, lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MLA Paul Lyngdoh and two independent MLAs - Ismail R Marak and Limison D Sangma were part of the dismissed Meghalaya Progressive Alliance coalition.

”I have passed my judgement as per the provisions of the law.

They have violated the Tenth schedule,” Mr Lanong said.

The legislators were suspended by the Speaker on March 17, hours before the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government faced a trust vote on the floor of the state Assembly.

Meanwhile, there was another report that the Speaker had rejected the complaint filed by the Deputy Speaker seeking disqualification of his legislature party leader Purno A Sangma under the Tenth schedule of the Constitution.

Mr Shullai in his complaint claimed that the former Lok Sabha Speaker had indulged himself in anti-party activities and participated in Congress meeting at New Delhi and engineered defection amongst the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) members to make it a minority government.

Lapang parades MLAs before Meghalaya Governor

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, Apr 2 : Congress leader D D Lapang today paraded the MLAs in his camp in the 60-member house before Governor R S Mooshahary, seeking revocation of President Rule in Meghalaya and that he be invited to form a new government.

While 27 legislators were paraded physically, four others, who were in their constituencies or outside the state, spoke to the Governor over telephone reaffirming their support to the Congress, Lapang claimed after leaving Raj Bhavan.

"We have impressed upon the governor to revoke Central rule and allow formation of a democratic government," he said, a day after another MLA deserted the NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA).

Yesterday, the lone woman MLA of United Democratic Party, Ampareen Lyngdoh resigned from the party as well as from the membership of the assembly, which is currently under suspended animation since March 19.

Asked about the reaction from the Governor, Lapang said, "The governor assured he would examine it and take appropriate action." Hinting that the Congress may move the court against Speaker B M Lanong in the event of the disqualification of the MLAs, Lapang said, "The Speaker is not above the law. We will have to approach the court if he resorts to illegal means." The Congress now has 31 members including the four suspended MLAs, while the strength of the MPA is 28 including the speaker.

The strength of the house has been reduced to 59 following Ampareen's resignation from the assembly.

Lanong serves fresh notices

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong, April 2 : Meghalaya Speaker Bindo Lanong today served fresh notices to two more legislators, giving them time till April 6 to show cause for deserting the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance, even as UDP legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh resigned from the Assembly.

The notices were served to Paul Lyngdoh of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement and Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai of the Nationalist Congress Party.

On Saturday, the Speaker had served similar notices to two Independents, Limison Sangma and Ismail Marak.

Hill State Peoples’ Democratic Party legislator Adviser Pariong, however, escaped the final disqualification as his party has forgiven him for deserting the alliance. He returned to the MPA fold.

Lanong told reporters that he was even ready to invite the four legislators who had been served fresh showcause notices to hear them in person. “They can represent their cases through a legal counsel,” he added.

Giving reasons for serving fresh notices to Lyngdoh and Shullai, Lanong said the former had assured him that he would reply to the March 16 showcause notice on March 21, but had not done so.

Shullai, Lanong said, had sent a letter to the Secretariat on March 13, saying he would not be able to attend the Assembly session starting from March 16 as he was undergoing treatment in Guwahati.

“However, he appeared in the Assembly on March 17 during the trial of strength,” Lanong said, adding that Shullai had not given any satisfactory reply to the showcause notice served to him.

The Speaker flayed Congress Legislature Party leader D.D. Lapang for saying that he was biased. “Lapang’s accusation is absurd and baseless.”

Lambasting Lapang for running to Union home minister P. Chidambaram with complaints against him, Lanong said, “This action of Lapang is amazing and amusing.”

Earlier, Lanong told this correspondent that he was happy with the Supreme Court’s decision upholding his disqualification procedures against the legislators who had deserted the MPA. “Now with the Supreme Court’s direction, I have to proceed with disqualifying the four legislators,” he added.

He also expressed concern over Governor R.S. Mooshahary’s appointment of a new advocate-general and removal of G.S. Massar from the post. Lanong had ignored the governor’s directives on how to conduct the trust vote on Massar’s legal advice.

The Speaker has adopted a wait-and-watch approach regarding the comments of new Advocate-General K.S. Kynjing. “I will see what they have to say regarding my order.”

He also wondered whether the code of conduct prevented the appointments of advocate-general and additional advocate-general by the governor.

Four arms dealers arrested in Meghalaya

Posted by Sinlung

Shillong , Apr 2 Police today arrested four alleged illegal arms dealers, including a contractor of Assam Public Health Engineering Department, from the Guwahati- Shillong Road and seized Rs one crore from their possession."

The police said the contractor Phozen Hojain and his three aides were held near Byrnihat along Assam-Meghalaya border and sent to the custody of Assam Police.

The police suspect they supply arms to Black Widow faction of Dima Halam Daogah insurgent group operating in North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong district of Assam.