Shillong News

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EK Mawlong passes away at 62

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Former Chief Minister and senior UDP leader Evansius Kek Mawlong passed away at his Lumsohphoh residence, Lower Mawprem here early Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 62. Mawlong was suffering from diabetes and other health complications. He leaves behind four sons and two daughters.

As soon as the news of Mawlong's death circulated, hundreds of people from all walks of life, including Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, Opposition Leader DD Lapang, legislators, political leaders, UDP workers from Umroi constituency and leaders of the Catholic Church thronged the late leader's residence.

State holiday on Monday

The funeral will be held at Mawprem Catholic Church Cemetery on Monday afternoon. The State Government has declared the day as State holiday. All State Government departments and educational institutions would remain closed on Monday. National flags will be flown at half-mast in all government buildings. Only departments engaged in preparations for President Pratibha Patil's State visit would function during the day, official sources said.

Mawlong, one of the senior-most regional party leaders in the State, was highly regarded by his friends and foes in political circles. He took over as Chief Minister on March 8 2000, but the controversy over by the Kolkata Meghalaya House deal led to the fall of his 40-member MPF Government on December 7 2001 following resignation of seven of his Cabinet ministers and withdrawal of support by NCP.

The event took a heavy toll on Mawlong and his health, leading to his defeat at the hands of political greenhorn Stanley Wiss Rymbai of Congress from Umroi constituency in the 2003 Assembly elections. He, however, wrested back the seat in the March 2008 polls, three months after the Gauhati High Court cleared him of all acts of omissions and commissions in the Kolkata Meghalaya House scam.

Mawlong was first elected to the State Assembly from Umroi constituency in 1978 on HSPDP ticket and held on to the seat for five consecutive terms till 2003. He held the post of Chairman of State Development Reforms Commission till his death.

Mawlong was the son of Late S Thangkhiew and Late Y Mawlong. He was born at Mawmih village near Sohiong, East Khasi Hills on February 1 1946. He graduated from the Gauhati University in Science stream in 1969 and taught at St Dominic Savio High School, Mawkhar from 1968 to June 1971. He also worked in the Accountant General's office as Upper Division Clerk from June to December 1971.

His political career started in 1972 when he was elected member of Khasi Hills District Council as an Independent. In 1975, he joined Congress and became

president of Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC). He was also member of Indian Youth Congress (IYC).

Mawlong's dominance in State politics started in 1978 when he was elected to the State Assembly as an Independent from Umroi constituency. He was re-elected to the House in the 1983 polls on HSPDP ticket. His winning spree on HSPDP ticket continued in both 1988 and 1993 elections.

He served as HSPDP president from 1996 to 1997 and became UDP president on September 11 1997 when HSPDP, HPU and PDIC came together to form UDP. He held the post till May 9 2003. He was elected as UDP legislator from Umroi seat in the 1998 and 2008 elections.

Mawlong was State Assembly Speaker from March 10 1998 till March 7 2000. He was also a Cabinet Minister in the BB Lyngdoh ministry during 1990-91. He served as Chairman of State Development Reforms Commission from 2004 to 2007.

RBYF deadline to Govt over recruitment in MUDA

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Charging Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh with "neglecting" people of Ri-Bhoi district, Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) has given Mr Lyngdoh a ten-day deadline to implement its demands for 60 per cent job reservation for locals and cancellation of all "illegal appointments" at MUDA office, Byrnihat.

Announcing the deadline at a public meeting at the Moonlight Upper Primary School, Byrnihat on Saturday, RBYF president BB Makdoh asked Mr Lyngdoh to fulfill its demands with regard to appointment of staff at MUDA office, Byrnihat within the stipulated time and said the youth body would resort to agitation in the entire district of R-Bhoi if the minister did not pay heed to its pleas.

"If the State Government does not respond to our demands within the deadline, the Federation would have no option but to resort to further course of action (agitation)," Mr Makdoh said.

Accusing Mr Lyngdoh, also Chairman of MUDA, of failure to keep his promise to reserve 60 percent jobs for locals, the RBYF president asserted that the Federation and people of the district would not rest until the demands of the Federation were met by the government.

The RBYF leader alleged that most of the people employed at MUDA office,

Byrnihat were followers of the Urban Affairs Minister.

"The Federation is not opposing appointment of people from other districts in MUDA, but we feel that some jobs should be reserved for the area (Byrnihat/Ri-Bhoi) where there are enough qualified candidates," Rangbah Shnong of Umdap Rangi Cleophas Nongrum said at the meeting.

Several persons, while addressing the meeting, echoed the views of Mr Makdoh and Mr Nongrum.

They condemned alleged appointment of employees at MUDA office, Byrnihat without advertising the posts or conducting interviews.

Further, they demanded "suspension of all illegal appointments" and called for fresh advertisement for vacancies at MUDA office, Byrnihat.

Among those who spoke at the public meeting were RBYF's Byrnihat Circle president

S Sohtun, president of Seng Longkmie Byrnihat Proper C Nongrum, former RBYF finance secretary PM Namsaw, RBYF central body general secretary Hubert Ramshon and the Rangbah Shnong of villages.

Earlier in the day, RBYF conducted a cleaning drive along the National Highway 40 and villages from Umling to Khanapara. Altogether, 25 villages participated in the cleaning drive. Nongkylla Khasi, Byrnihat was adjudged as the cleanest area and given a cash reward of Rs 5000.

2 killed in bus mishap off Jowai

From Our Correspondent

JOWAI: Two persons including a nine-year-old boy were killed and several others injured when a mini bus (ML05C-3815) in which they were traveling in turned turtle at Tuber village near Jowai on Saturday.

The nine-year-old boy Roni Sumer died on the spot while his mother and two-year-old sister were critically injured in the mishap.

The vehicle was on its way from Jowai to Khliehriat.

Another person, who was yet to be identified, died in Jowai hospital.

The driver of the ill-fated bus is absconding.

Drowned: Two brothers of Panaliar, Jowai --- Wailad Pasweth (16) and Chan Pasweth (12) --- were drowned in Myntdu river at Mutong-khian on Saturday.

The duo had come to take a bath when the mishap took place.

Money looted

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Unidentified miscreants looted around Rs 1 lakh, a DVD player, buffer speaker, expensive clothes and valuable materials from a house at Demthring Block-II in the wee hours of Saturday.

Owner of the house lodged an FIR with Madanrting police station in this regard.

President, others condole Mawlong’s demise

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Governor RS Mooshahary, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy and Union Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndiah have condoled the death of veteran UDP leader and former State Chief Minister Evansius Kek Mawlong.

In a condolence message, President Ms Patil conveyed her condolences to the bereaved family.

Governor Mr Mooshahary said the State had suffered a "grievous and irreparable loss" in the death of Mawlong. "The late leader was a political stalwart who made manifold contributions to the progress of the State," the Governor said.

In his message Chief Minister Dr Donkupar said Mawlong's death was a great loss to the people of the State, the Government and UDP.

Dr Roy also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to all the family members and also prayed that Almighty would grant the family strength to bear the great loss and eternal peace to departed soul.

Leader of Opposition DD Lapang expressed shock over the sudden demise of the former Chief Minister. Mr Lapang said that Mawlong would always be remembered as an able politician and as a person who was loved and respected by the people. He also prayed to God to give strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss and peace to the departed soul.

Union Minister Mr Kyndiah also expressed deep anguish over the demise of the UDP leader. Mr Kyndiah, in his message, said, "Late Mawlong's contribution to the State was immense. His untimely demise has left a vacuum in State politics."

Meanwhile, UDP in a meeting held on Saturday evening condoled the death of its founder member and first president.

The party members recalled the contributions of Mawlong to the party and the State.

UDP's Ri-Bhoi district has mourned the death of former Chief Minister, who was also president of the party in the district. UDP's Ri-Bhoi district general secretary Lurshai Wahlang said the demise of Mawlong was a great loss to the party.

Praising the late leader's leadership, of Mr Wahlang said UDP under Mawlong's stewardship had put up an exemplary performance in the last Assembly elections by winning three out of four constituencies in Ri-Bhoi district.

Several other political parties including Maghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee, Umroi unit of KHNAM condoled the untimely demise of Mawlong.

B’deshis pushed back daily by police

Shillong: At least thirty odd suspected Bangladeshis are pushed back daily from the police infiltration gates located in the border fringes, disclosed the Megahalya police.

While these infiltration check gates have been strengthened to enhance vigilance after seeing the ramifications of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants in Assam, sources told NNN that in Umkiang infiltration gate of Jaintia Hills alone, 18-20 people with dubious identities are daily detected and sent back to the place they claim to belong.

The Byrnihat infiltration check gate has similar experiences.

The Superintendents of Police, Jaintia Hills MK Singh and Ri-Bhoi district Superintendent of Police MK Dkhar confirmed about the push back of people with doubtful identities from their respective jurisdictions.

The reason for the push-back is because many of these people claiming to be from Assam have neither the valid papers to prove their Indian origins nor can they speak Assamese language and Hindi.

"These suspected Bangladeshis always claimed to be from Assam but neither do they have the papers such as EPIC, and many a time cannot divulge their village nor the authorities concerned, state MK Singh, adding, "We pushed them back and asked to bring valid documents top prove their identity".

It may be mentioned that Jaintia Hills-I closed to Barak Valley of Assam has a huge presence of suspected Bangladeshi nationals.

Even Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya closed to Guwahati experiences the same trend.

The answer of many of those suspected elements is that they are from Dhubri, Barpeta, Goalpara, Hojai but their appearance only adds to the doubts when they can't produced valid papers.

Most of the suspected Bangladeshis wanted to enter Meghalaya to work as labourers in the coal belts especially in Jaintia Hills which is now a safe haven of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants.

However, following the beginning of the peak season of coal mining and the incidents in Assam, the infiltration branch of the State police has tightened up its vigilance in the infiltration gates.

Meanwhile, more police personnel have been rushed into improve the efficiency of these infiltration check gates and it came at a time when several NGOs have taken their own initiatives to detect and deport suspected foreigners from Jaintia Hills, West Khasi and Ri Bhoi districts. (NNN)

Vintage car rally

in city on Nov 16

Shillong: Shillong vintage car rally on November 16 will witness the Model T vintage that features in the classic film 'Gandhi' taking the lead in leading the likes of the model A Ford, the Dodge weapons carrier, the Jaguar Mark 4 and the Harley Davidson and thirty odd cars from Guwahati, Kohima and Imphal.

It has already been confirmed from the organisers that 36 odd owners of vintage cars from the entire North Eastern states will participate in the event and the number is expected to rise by the time the rally takes off.

The Model T vintage (1919 model) was used by Richard Attenborough for the film 'Gandhi'. The others will be the Model A Ford (1927 model) that was used for Mother Teresa's visit to Shillong, the Dodge weapon carriers used by the British during the Second World War in the North East, the Jaguar Mark 4, and off course, the only Harley Davidson motorbike in the region will be the hallmark of the vintage car rally on November 16. The function will be organised by Antique Wheels of the North East. According to the secretary of the organisation, Ashoke Lyngdoh, besides the vintage car owners from Assam and Meghalaya, they have received positive response from car owners from states like Nagaland and Manipur. Lyngdoh also told NNN that more cars are expected to be part of the vintage car rally by the time the rally kick starts.

Taking pride from the successful vintage car rally in Shillong last year, Lyngdoh said, "we hope that our endeavour will give a further boost to Shillong as a tourist destination of the North East". (NNN)

Czech business delegation in city

By Our Reporter

Shillong: A 13-member Czech business delegation led Ambassador of Czech Republic Dr Hynek Kmonicek will begin its visit to the North East from Sunday. The team will be holding meetings in Shillong, Guwahati, Itanagar and Gangtok, according to a statement issued here. On their arrival in Shillong, the delegation will interact with local entrepreneurs, Government officials on October 21 at Hotel Polo Towers, Polo at 10 am.

During the meeting, the Czech team will be giving presentations on the Czech technology available on small hydro projects, aviation sector - airport equipment and small brewery. The visit is coordinated by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi).

Similar meetings will be held in Guwahati (October 22), Itanagar (October 23) and Gangtok (October 25). The delegation will comprise four companies of aviation sector, three from small hydro power and one from small brewery sector.

SDCs to come up in 27 states

From Our Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Department of Information Technology (DIT) on Friday approved establishment of State Data Centres (SDC) in 27 States/UTs including one in Meghalaya with total outlay of Rs 1237 crore.

The DIT Share in this outlay is Rs 412 crore, while the remaining Rs 825 crore are to be met through Additional Central Assistance (ACA), according to an official statement here.

Through the State Data Centres, the Government seeks to create a common secure IT infrastructure to host state level e-Governance.

These centres are to be duly supported by State Wide Area Network (SWAN) and Common Service Centres (CSC) established at the village level, as part of e-Governance project.

The States, whose proposals have been approved besides Meghalaya are - Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Naga- land, Orissa, Punducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Once established, State Data Centre would provide many functionalities. including Central Repository of the State, Secure Data Storage, Online Delivery of Services, Citizen Information/Services Portal, State Intranet Portal, Remote Management and Service Integration etc to enable seamless delivery of e- Governance services in the State. The progress of implementation of Data Centre is centrally being reviewed by the DIT with the States.

Death condoled

The Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association has conveyed its sympathy to the bereaved family members of former Chief Minister and Chairman, State Development Reforms Commission EK Mawlong, who passed away on Saturday. "His death has left a vacuum which cannot be filled," it said in a statement issued here on Saturday.

Tribute to cops

The State police will pay tribute to all its personnel, who died while on duty during the year 2007-2008, with special commemoration parade to be held at Police Reserve, Shillong on October 21 at 7 am, a release said.

Health camp

The health camp and sanitation programme on schemes and services of the Social Welfare Department was held at Sakhiat ME School, Umtrai on Saturday. The function organised by the chief organiser of Raid Umtrai Umkhap was inaugurated by Minister of Social Welfare NM Momin. He was accompanied by Commissioner of Disabilities NM Nampui and other government officials.

Headman elected

The Mawlai Syllai Kariah has re-elected Klobindro Nongkynrih as its Rangbah Shnong for the term of five years. Mr Nongkynrih along other office-bearers of the village was elected at the Dorbar held recently, a statement issued here on Saturday.

source: the shillong times