September 13, 2004

Shillong September 13, 2004: Garo Hills on September 9, 2004 remembered Lt. Pechon.A.Sangma, DSP and five other comrades belonging to the Meghalaya Police and the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBN), who were killed brutally by the ANVC militants at Bibragre, Chokpot, South Garo Hills two years back.

People from all walks of life drawn from different parts of Garo Hills including the top Police Officials gathered together at the Cenotaph erected in the memory of Lt. Sangma and his Comrades at Bibragre.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Skylance.G. Momin, IG (RW) said that Lt. Sangma and his five Comrades died with prestige and glory and at the same time set an example in the line of duty. Mr. Momin also said that killing Lt. Sangma was like nipping the rose at the bud before it starts blooming. However, the supreme sacrifice made by them brought positive result in the fight against militancy in the region that ANVC had now signed cease-fire agreement with both the Central and the State Governments, Mr. Momin added. He also conveyed the messages of the DGP, Mr. L. Sailo and ADGP, Mr. W. R. Marbaniang to the respective families of the victims of militancy.

Others who spoke on the occasion includes, Mr. T. Dkhar, Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills, Mr. E. P. Kharbhih, Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills, Elder brother of Lt. Sangma and the Elder brother of BNC, Lt. Repingstone Lyngdoh Kynshi. Floral wreaths and garlands were laid at the Cenotaph and South Garo Hills Defense presented Suk Salami Parade on the day.

Earlier, Mr. M.S. War, SP, South Garo Hills, welcomed the family members and relatives of the slain DSP and his comrades and others to the Anniversary. Mr. Hitler Sangma, Pastor of Bibragre Baptist Church, led the prayer while Addl. SP, Baghmara, Mr. Jek Marak, proposed the vote of thanks. Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills on the occasion donated a running Trophy to Chokpot Sports Association in memory of the slain DSP and said that a Football Tournament will be conducted for the Trophy by the BDO, Chokpot.

Shillong September 13, 2004: In connection with the launching of Total Literacy Campaign (Revitalization) and Intensive Sanitation Campaign, a special Block-level function was organised by the BDO, Betasing Development Block at the Betasing Govt. Aided Secondary School Premise on September 9, 2004. Members from self-help groups (SHG), NGOs, teachers from different schools under Betasing Block as well as Officials and public members participated in the day-long programme which aimed at creating awareness on the revived total literacy and intensive sanitation campaigns in the entire Block.

Addl. DC & Project Director, DRDA, Mrs. Iona. R. Sangma, while addressing the gathering as the chief guest, informed that the State Government had sanctioned funds for TLC Revitalization three years ago and the campaign had been formally launched in the district through various awareness programmes at different Blocks. At the same time this year, the Central Government has also given sanction for Integrated Total Sanitation Campaign for both rural and urban areas and as such, the district administration has combined these two campaigns for greater effect.

Briefing on the importance of these campaigns, Mrs. Sangma appealed to all NGOs, SHGs, teachers and members of the public to actively cooperate with the Government to make these campaigns a grand success and also sought their continued support in implementation of developmental schemes in the future.

The chief guest also gave away the certificates and prizes for the winners of various competitions like drawing, essay-writing, music and skit in which the students and members of different SHGs also participated.

Others who spoke on the occasion included former MLA, Mr. J Barman, Secretary, Betasing Govt. Aided Secondary School, Mr. Lepton Sangma , BDO, Mr. S. N. Sangma and SDO PHE, Mr. Ambrosia Marak.

Shillong September 13, 2004: The Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Donkupar Roy, who is also in charge of Information and Public Relations etc., attended the Annual Social Meet people of Shella area residing in Shillong at the All Saint’s Cathedral Hall, Shillong on Saturday last. The Meet was organised by the Shella Sports, Cultural and Social Welfare Association (SSCSWA).

Speaking at the function attended by a large number of people including Government officials and students who are basically from Shella area, Dr. Roy said that the main aim of holding such a meet is to unite and bring people from Shella area closer together and to imbibe in them a spirit of friendship and cooperation. Dr. Roy added that “we came from a place where people respect each other especially to elders”, so he urged upon those present at the meeting to hold and maintain this tradition.

Stating that most of the people leave their own hometown in search of education and livelihood, Dr. Roy urged upon them not to forget their own people in Shella who are in dire need of their help. He also called upon the youth to strive forward to achieve their dreams so that Shella can produce leaders who can lead the area and the State in general. Dr. Roy congratulates the youth organisation for holding this meet, and at the same time he appealed the youth not to forget their primary duty, that is education.

Earlier, awards were also given to 14 persons who have brought pride to the area which includes Dr. Donkupar Roy, Dy. Chief Minister, Mr. Dilip Singh, IAS and former Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Dr. B. Swett, former SS Civil Hospital, Shillong, Mr. A.K. Roy, IAS, Dr. J.S. Sanglyne, Sub Divisional Medical and Health Officer, Dr (Mrs) I.J. Chyne, Mr. R.S. Lorit, Deputy Director, Higher and Technical Education, Mr. Bobby Chyne, Film Director and others. Awards were also given to students who passed the Secondary School Leaving Certificate and Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate.

Shillong September 13, 2004: The Deputy Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Political Department has informed that the UNESCO Felix Houphouet Boigny Peace Prize will be given to individuals, bodies or institutions who have made a significant contribution to promoting, seeking, safeguarding or maintaining peace.

The prize, which comprises a cash award, a gold medal and a Peace Diploma, is awarded every year to one or more prize winners, by an international Jury composed of eminent persons and chaired by Mr. Henry Kissinger, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a former Secretary of State of the US.

For further details, interested individuals or institutions can contact the office of the Deputy Commissioner in their respective Districts during office hours.

Shillong September 13, 2004: With an aim of raising financial assistance to the handicapped of the District, the Officers’ Club, Ri Bhoi District, on September 11, 2004, organised a fishing competition at Nongmahir Water Reservoir of the Fisheries Department, where officers and the public at large took part. The Meghalaya Deputy Speaker, Mr. P.W. Muktieh, was the Chief Guest in the prize distribution ceremony. The Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr. W.L. Lyngdoh, presided over the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Muktieh lauded the organisers for taking the initiative to extend their helping hand to the differently abled people. He also said that such programme could bring the officers of different departments closer to each other and imbibe in them a spirit of friendship which creates an atmosphere of cooperation.

It may be mentioned that in the competition, Mr. Marbud Dkhar of Mawlai Iewrynghep, Shillong, bagged the 1^st prize of Rs. 3000/-, while Mr. Morison Sangma of Umsning won the 2nd prize of Rs. 2000/- and Mr. L. Boro, Officer incharge Umsning Outpost won the Lucky Draw.

Shillong September 13, 2004: The Executive Engineer (PHE), Greater Shillong Water Supply Division No.1. Shillong has informed the consumers getting water supply from Shillong Municipal Board Reservoir located at Upper Lachumiere, (Areas falling under Upper Lachumiere, Secretariat, Upland Road, etc.) that due to new connections of the new Distribution Network of Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme with existing Shillong Municipal Board Reservoir at Upper Lachumiere, the daily timing of water supply to the consumers will be affected for few days. All efforts are being taken by the Department to complete the work at the earliest.