Ramnath Goenka Excellence award for Reporting from J&K and northeast (Print) India to the Editor of Vernacular Daily U Nongsain Hima from Meghalaya.

Lambok Thabah, editor of the vernacular daily U Nongsain Hima was recently conferred with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award 2011 under the category ‘REPORTING FROM J&K AND THE NORTHEAST (PRINT)’. Bah Thabah received this prestigious award for his reporting on misappropriation of Public Distribution System(PDS) rice and sugar at Mawsynram Village in East Khasi Hills. Over 20 families were being denied their rightful claim for years and when they tried to raise their voice, theywere further suppressed. Thabah’s series of news stories published during 2011 helped these families to finally get justice.

A delighted Thabah said, “I am happy that my hard work has been recognized by the Indian Express group for which they have given the award.”

The impressive awards ceremony was held at Hotel ITC Maurya in New Delhi on September 9, 2014. Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan presided over the ceremony handing out awards to the deserving journalists who had gathered from the length and breadth of the country.The MEPA (Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association) felicitated Mr Lambok Thabah and the President of MEPA, Mr R M Shabong informed EP that this award has inspired the young reporters of the region to strive even further for National Recognition. The General Secretary of MEPA, Mr Philip Marwein also informed that in future the MEPA has decided to hold its own award function to commemorate the achievements of journalist who excel in their profession both in print and electronic media across Meghalaya.

Reaction from Tripura on NH44 blockage

Barely a week ahead of the Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Tripura, the state remained cut off from the rest of India following a blockade of National Highway (NH) No.6 in Meghalaya.

The NH-6 formerly known as NH 44 is the lifeline for the landlocked mountainous state of Tripura and other states of the northeastern region like Mizoram, Barak Valley of southern Assam and the western part of Manipur.

”The blockage in Meghalaya has severely affected movement of trucks and other commercial vehicles on NH44 – lifeline for Tripura especially during Durga Puja. Moreover, we are trying to create a buffer stock of food grains in our state as rail links will stop for conversion work. For carrying goods, food grain,essentials and other materials from other parts of the country, the NH-6 is very vital for us,” said Bhanu Lal Saha, Tripura’s Food Minister adding: “Our government have requested the Meghalaya government to sort the issue fast to resume movement of vehicles in the national highway at the earliest.

”The blockage in Meghalaya has severely affected movement of trucks and other commercial vehicles on NH44 – lifeline for Tripura especially during Durga Puja. Moreover, we are trying to create a buffer stock of food grains in our state as rail links will stop for conversion work. For carrying goods, food grain,essentials and other materials from other parts of the country, the NH-6 is very vital for us,” said Bhanu Lal Saha, Tripura’s Food Minister adding: “Our government have requested the Meghalaya government to sort the issue fast to resume movement of vehicles in the national highway at the earliest.’

Thousands of Tripura, Mizoram, southern Assam and western Manipur bound goods-laden trucks,passenger buses,small cars and other vehicles have been stranded in different places of NH 6 in Meghalaya after an economic blockade called by Movement for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Livelihood-Meghalaya (MIPRL).

The agitators also attacked and damaged some vehicles.

Prolonged blockade is going to trigger off scarcity of essential items including food grains in Tripura,Mizoram and southern Assam which recently faced problem after roads were closed as landslides blocked the NH44 at Tansen, about 50 kms south of Shillong, the Meghalaya capital.

Pinaki Das