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Any social/political problem, troubling a region or state for a long period of time now, how complex it may be to deal with can be amicably and peacefully resolved in a time-frame if the state is willing to resolve the issue with a give-and-take spirit. There are some states in the Northeastern region that are long beset with some complex problems which have impeded the growth, though there are no valid reasons for their early solution being kept on hold, year after year. The successive regional governments can easily resolve it, if they desire so assertively and with all earnestness.  But in several cases,  these  establishments , instead of being keen on  resolving them during its full term, are seen soft pedalling  these issues , evidently for  vote bank politics or  to score one-upmanship over its arch rivals. This go-slow approach on their part towards these issues has weakened the states’ economy.  The standing example of which is Assam’s recurring floods and erosion.  The inordinate delay in clinching them  on a priority basis once for all has galled many,  which  reverberates  in periodic agitations in these States  by different organisations such as civil society groups, student bodies, academics, opposition leaders, professionals etc, in protest against the ruling party governments  over alleged apathetic  attitude  towards the bare  need  of  their early settlement  resulting in social unrest.  

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Durga Puja is celebrated in the temple of Devi Jayantee at Nartiang village in Meghalaya since time immemorial.  This 500 Years old Durga temple is located at the hill top of Nartiang village which was the summer place of the Jaintia King whose capital was Jaintiapur.

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Condemn pours for the attack on Activists

Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) led by Angela Ryngad today organized a Citizen’s Protest in the State capital Shillong to condemn the ‘murderous’ attack on social activist Angela Ryngad and her associate Amita Sangma in East Jaintia Hills. The demonstration was held at the Parking Lot near the Additional Secretariat. 

Agnes Kharshiing who heads the Civil Society Women Organization (CSWO) and her friend Amita Sangma received severe head injuries after they were attacked by a group of unidentified miscreants at Tuber Sohshrieh in East Jaintia Hills District on Thursday. The protest was attended by various NGO's leader and prominent individuals including Shillong Times Editor Patricia Mukhim and R.G Lyngdoh etc.

Angela Rangad said “The state government should take responsibility for its failure to protect the citizens and the police should include criminal conspiracy in the ‘suo moto case’ instead of robbery. Patricia Mukhim who is also the Editor of The Shillong Times said  that it is not easy to be Agnes Kharshiing and to be filing FIRs on a daily and sustained basis, to run round the court of law and go to different places without counting the cost, We pray that she comes out stronger.”

Former Home Minister and prominent citizen of the State, RG Lyngdoh strongly felt that the attack on the RTI activist shows that there is much more to the coal mining issue than what appears on the surface he added “There is a need to investigate into the supposed nexus between the coal miners, police, politicians and coal mine owners and it is for the government to ensure that all those who are involved in the crime are dealt with firmly,” he said.

Emiki kurbah, who was driving Kong Agnes car during this unfortunate incident on Nov 8, narrated the ordeal and stated that Agnes is lucky to have survived the brutal attack. He added that it pained his heart to see how a group of strong men punched, kicked and assaulted the two unarmed women. He urged the concerned authorities to ensure that all the culprits, not just the ones who were present on that day but also those behind the attack should be arrested and punished as per laws of the land.

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MPHRC condemn the attack on activist

The Meghalaya Peoples’ Human Rights Council (MPHRC) has strongly condemned the attack on RTI Activist & CSWO President Agnes Kharshiing and her associate Anita Sangma in the strongest terms possible. “The climate of fear created by such attacks by the perpetrators has threatened to silence few independent voices to enjoy a climate of impunity within our State” said MPHRC Chairman, Dino D.G Dympep. Recognized that the Police authorities have started an investigation and arrested two individuals. However, the Council stressed that the “extreme seriousness” of the attack warranted “a thorough, prompt and a fair investigation by bringing the suspected perpetrators to justice in fair trials without delay and providing effective remedies and adequate reparations to the victims said MPHRC. It is an imperative that these barbaric attacks, injustices and gross human rights abuses be seriously addressed by the government. “We humbly stand in solidarity with Agnes’s family and community,” MPHRC concluded.

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Workers Union condemn attack Activists

Workers Power of Meghalaya (WPM) a federation of more than 13 Workers Unions of Meghalaya condemns the attack on their friend and comrade Kong Agnes Kharshiing a person who fights for the poor and downtrodden and who fights to protect the environment and livelihood of us workers. The organization urges the government to ensure the culprits are brought to book.

Smti Angelina Hynniewta President WPM in her statement wishes Kong Agnes a speedy recovery so that through her leadership they can struggle for a better Meghalaya, mean while Thma u Rangli Juki (TUR) also condemns the murderous attack on Kong Agnes Kharshiing and Amita sangma of CSWO in East Jaintia hills district by terming this attack as cowardice.

Mantre Passah the Co-ordination of TUR urges the Police Department to speedy up the investigations into this heinous attack and punishes the culprits.

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Two arrested in Activist attack

Two people Elphon Dkhar and Meklison Siangshai was arrested in connection with the attacked on a women’s rights activist Agnes Kharshing, Amita Marak and her driver from Kongong village during the raid conducted by the East Jaintia Police. Police Chief of East Jaintia Hills Sylvester Nongtnnger said that “A Suo Moto” case was taken up by Police since the victims are not in position to file an FIR as they are in a serious condition.

Meanwhile spokesperson of the North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Mr. K. K.Pandita said that activist Agnes Kharshiing is still in a “critical condition” while her colleague and her driver E. Kurbah are out of danger.

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MDA yet to decide on ‘Common Candidate’

Concerning the suggestions made by Lambor Malngiang with reference to the common candidate issue to contest the Lok Sabha polls 2019, Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) Prestone Tynsong while clarifying on ‘Common Candidates’ said that all suggestions have to be compiled and taken up for discussion in the next coordination committee of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA). Earlier Lambor Malngiang MLA of Nongkrem constituency has suggested that a common candidate contesting the MP election should not contest from any political party but should do so from a symbol selected by the MDA partners.

Tynsong added that the final decision will be taken up during the next meeting of the coordination committee of the MDA. Till date only the United Democratic Party (UDP) had announced the name of Dr. Jemino Mawthoh as its candidate for the MP election from Shillong Parliamentary seat.

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Third National Ayurveda Day concluded in Shillong

The 3^rd National Ayurveda Day 2018 on the theme, “Ayurveda for Public Health” was organized by the Directorate of AYUSH, Government of Meghalaya at Asian Confluence, Laitumkhrah, Shillong in which Shri A. L. Hek, the Health & Family Welfare Minister Government of Meghalaya was the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries who attended the programme include Shri Anil Jauhri the CEO of National Board for Accreditation for Certification Bodies (NABCB), Shri Pravin Bakshi, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Government of Meghalaya cum Director of AYUSH, Dr. T. S. Nongkhaw, Director Health Services, MI, Dr. D.K. Raswai, State Nodal Officer of AYUSH and Dr. S. Pala, Ayurvedic Physician, Shillong Civil Hospital, Shillong.

Speaking in his inaugural address, Shri Hek recalled the advantages of Ayurveda medication from his childhood and also the importance and benefits of Ayurveda in day to day life. He also encourage in promoting and strengthening the traditional system of healing in the State by bringing the traditional healers under the organized sector of the Government.

The programme was followed by a series of sessions wherein topics namely “Quality Council of India” support to Traditional Healers, “Ayurvedic approaches to cure human disease”,  “Potential of herbs in the management of type 2 diabetes Mellitus” and “Ayurveda for public health & Preventive approaches” were presented by Dr. Debjani Roy, Advisor, Quality Council of India, Dr. B.P. Sarma, Prof. & HOD of Kayachikitsa, Government Ayurvedic College, Guwahati and Dr. Shantanu Kr. Sanjay, Medical Officer (AYUR), under Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Assam respectively.