News Analysis India

Tag: Shillong

  • Myanmar Earthquake: 5.6 Magnitude Quake Shakes Assam’s Guwahati, Meghalaya’s Shillong |

    An earthquake reportedly measuring 5.6 magnitude on the Richter Scale struck Myanmar at 6:43 p.m. on Wednesday, with tremors felt in Assam’s Guwahati and Meghalaya’s Shillong. The earthquake’s epicentre was Myanmar. The tremors originated 110 kilometres beneath the surface at 23.46 North latitude and 94.54 East longitude, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). “EQ of M: 5.6, On: 29/05/2024 18:43:26 IST, Lat: 23.46 N, Long: 94.54 E, Depth: 110 Km, Location: Myanmar,” NCS posted on its official X handle.

     

    EQ of M: 5.6, On: 29/05/2024 18:43:26 IST, Lat: 23.46 N, Long: 94.54 E, Depth: 110 Km, Location: Myanmar.
    For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @KirenRijiju @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia @Indiametdept pic.twitter.com/CZLEeuA9pa
    — National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) May 29, 2024

    This is a developing story.

  • Shillong violence may hit tourism, says Meghalaya group

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Even as the Meghalaya police launched a crackdown against those involved in Friday’s hooliganism on the streets of Shillong, a tourism promotion organisation feared the violence might affect the state’s tourism and economy.Tribal body Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People had taken out a rally to flag the issue of rising unemployment in the state but it turned violent with a section of the protestors assaulting innocent bystanders and passers-by, mostly non-tribals, and damaging police and private vehicles.The police arrested one person and launched a hunt for the remaining other assailants.Meghalaya has several touristic sites with Shillong being one and the state depends heavily on tourism. In the aftermath of the violence, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum felt the sector might get affected.Larsing Sawyan, chairman of the organisation, said the state’s image got tarnished after videos of the violence had gone viral on social media, sending a bad message. He also said that the incidents damaged the goodwill of indigenous communities.“Confidence in law and order machinery needs to be restored and the public must to be given reassurance that such blatant acts of public defiance against the order of law and civility will not go unpunished,” the organisation said in a statement.Two Assam MLAs wrote to the Meghalaya government expressing deep concern over the violence.Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha met Meghalaya Director General of Police LR Bishnoi and requested him to protect the lives and property of people.BJP MLA Krishnendu Paul demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency into Friday’s violence as well as various other such incidents that occurred in the recent years.Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who reviewed the law and order situation on Monday, promised action against the perpetrators of the crime. He said three FIRs had been filed in connection with the violence.“I have reviewed the law and order situation and instructed the police to take necessary actions,” he told journalists.Meghalaya has had a history of such incidents and Sangma said the administration granted permission for the rally after reposing faith in the organisers. 

    GUWAHATI: Even as the Meghalaya police launched a crackdown against those involved in Friday’s hooliganism on the streets of Shillong, a tourism promotion organisation feared the violence might affect the state’s tourism and economy.
    Tribal body Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People had taken out a rally to flag the issue of rising unemployment in the state but it turned violent with a section of the protestors assaulting innocent bystanders and passers-by, mostly non-tribals, and damaging police and private vehicles.
    The police arrested one person and launched a hunt for the remaining other assailants.
    Meghalaya has several touristic sites with Shillong being one and the state depends heavily on tourism. In the aftermath of the violence, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum felt the sector might get affected.
    Larsing Sawyan, chairman of the organisation, said the state’s image got tarnished after videos of the violence had gone viral on social media, sending a bad message. He also said that the incidents damaged the goodwill of indigenous communities.
    “Confidence in law and order machinery needs to be restored and the public must to be given reassurance that such blatant acts of public defiance against the order of law and civility will not go unpunished,” the organisation said in a statement.
    Two Assam MLAs wrote to the Meghalaya government expressing deep concern over the violence.
    Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha met Meghalaya Director General of Police LR Bishnoi and requested him to protect the lives and property of people.
    BJP MLA Krishnendu Paul demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency into Friday’s violence as well as various other such incidents that occurred in the recent years.
    Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who reviewed the law and order situation on Monday, promised action against the perpetrators of the crime. He said three FIRs had been filed in connection with the violence.
    “I have reviewed the law and order situation and instructed the police to take necessary actions,” he told journalists.
    Meghalaya has had a history of such incidents and Sangma said the administration granted permission for the rally after reposing faith in the organisers.
     

  • Minor confessed to have planned, executed IED blasts in Shillong in 2021: Officials

    A 17-year-old boy has revealed to investigating agencies that he had planned and executed various explosions in Shillong last year.

  • Shillong Sikhs likely to move court again over land takeover by Meghalaya government

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: A Sikh organisation in Meghalaya is likely to move court again as the state government has taken possession of a piece of land despite the Meghalaya High Court and the National Commission for Minorities passing separate orders to maintain the status quo.

    The Harijan Panchayat Committee, which has for long been fighting the case, said it would soon meet and take a decision.

    “We are in touch with our lawyers. We will meet soon and chalk out our future course of actions,” Gurjit Singh, who is the secretary of the committee, told The New Indian Express.

    The case has been pending in the high court for the past few years.

    Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had on Friday announced that the government took possession of the land at Harijan Colony in Shillong after paying a premium of over Rs 2 crore to the Syiem (king) of Mylliem, the original owner of the land.

    Some 250 Sikh families have been settled at Harijan Colony, also known as Punjabi Lane, for over 200 years. It is a prime location.

    On March 31, a deed of lease was signed among the state government, the Syiem of Mylliem and the Shillong Municipal Board. As per the pact, the leased premises, measuring 12,444.13 square metres, would be handed over to the government.

    Tynsong, who headed a High Level Committee that submitted various recommendations on the issue to the government, sought cooperation from the Harijan Colony residents.

    The government wants to relocate them to another part of Shillong but they are resisting the move. The state’s Urban Affairs Department has plans to convert the area into a parking lot or use it to build a shopping complex. It could also be used for the purpose of beautification.

    “Nobody should think we are throwing them out. We want to relocate them to a proper place,” Tynsong said.

    The Opposition Congress in the state slammed him recently for his statement that the government would evict the residents whether or not his National People’s Party wins the by-elections to three seats. 

  • Meghalaya ex-militant death: Curfew lifted in Shillong for 12 hours on Thursday

    By PTI

    SHILLONG: Curfew, which was clamped here following unrest, was lifted for 12 hours from 5 am on Thursday as the law and order situation improved in the last 24 hours, an official said. The restriction, however, will be in place at night, he said.

    East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner I Laloo has issued an order, relaxing the curfew in Shillong urban agglomeration for 12 hours till 5 pm on August 19, the official said. Shops involved in selling essential items have been allowed to open till 4 pm and transactions at banks permitted till 3 pm.

    State and central government offices, private establishments and post offices have been allowed to operate till 4 pm with a 30 per cent workforce, according to the order. The district administration had on Wednesday lifted the curfew in the state capital for 11 hours till 4 pm.

    Mobile internet services were also withdrawn since the evening of August 15 in at least four districts after vandalism and arson rocked the state capital and nearby areas on Independence Day during the funeral procession of a former militant, who was killed in a recent police encounter.

    The mobile data services were restored on Wednesday night, the official said.

    Violence erupted in Mawlai and Jaiaw areas of Shillong following the death of Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, the former self-styled general secretary of the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), in an encounter when the police raided his home in the early hours of August 13.

    Thangkhiew, who had surrendered in 2018, was shot dead when he allegedly tried to attack a police team with a knife during the raid in connection with a series of IED blasts in the state. Unidentified miscreants hurled petrol bombs at the private residence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma late on Sunday.

    A vehicle carrying CRPF personnel was attacked by protesters in Mawlai area here during the curfew hours. Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui had resigned on Sunday amid violence in the city over the police shooting of the former militant.

    Sangma had on Monday announced a judicial investigation into the death of 54-year-old Thangkhiew and Meghalaya Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice T Vaiphei will conduct the probe. A group of people from Mawlai had met Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday and demanded suspension of police officers involved in the encounter.

  • Assam govt asks people not to travel to Shillong after unrest

    By PTI

    GUWAHATI: The Assam government has advised people not to travel to Meghalaya’s capital Shillong after some parts of the neighbouring state witnessed violence, a senior police officer said.

    The Meghalaya government imposed a curfew in Shillong and banned mobile internet services in at least four districts, as vandalism and arson rocked the state capital and nearby areas on Independence Day during the funeral procession of a former militant.

    “Curfew has been imposed in Shillong due to Law & Order issues.People from Assam are advised not to travel to Shillong till curfew continues,” Assam Police Special Director General G P Singh said on Twitter.

    ALSO READ: CRPF vehicle attacked in Meghalaya capital amid curfew

    A vehicle carrying CRPF personnel was also attacked by protesters in Mawlai area of Shillong during curfew hours on Sunday night, prompting security forces to resort to “mild force” for dispersing the crowd.

    The attack took place hours after unidentified miscreants hurled petrol bombs at the residence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma late on Sunday.

    Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has resigned amid violence in Shillong over the police shooting of the former militant.

  • One arrested in connection with Shillong bomb blast

    By PTI

    SHILLONG: One person was arrested in connection with a crude bomb blast behind a busy market in Shillong that left two persons injured, police said on Wednesday.

    In a statement issued here, Assistant Inspector General of Police (A) GK Iangrai said one person who the police believe is involved in the bomb blast in Laitumkhrah on Tuesday, has been arrested by East Khasi Hills District police.

    He also said the Crime Branch Police Station, East Khasi Hills, Shillong (CBPS) will take over the investigation into the blast from Laitumkhrah Police Station.

    The blast took place at 1.30 pm yesterday when a 1kg remotely timed improvised explosive device exploded near a tea shop at Laitumkhrah.

    Two persons, include a woman, sustained minor injuries.

    The wall of the tea shop and window panes of the adjacent building were damaged.

    The outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had claimed responsibility for the blast.

    The incident had also taken place after 17 days of the IED blast that took place at the premises of the police reserve at Khliehriat in East Jaintia Hills district.

    Although tripartite peace negotiation is ongoing with the rebel outfit, the Meghalaya government has maintained that the outfit has to abstain from violence if it wants to negotiate peace.

  • Those involved in Shillong improvised bomb attack will not be spared: Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma

    By PTI

    SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said those involved in the improvised bomb attack in the state capital here ahead of Independence Day celebrations which injured two persons including a woman, will not be spared.

    The 1kg remotely-timed improvised explosive device (IED), triggered by the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), went off at around 1:30 pm behind a busy market area in Laitumkhrah injuring a shopkeeper and a passer-by.

    The Police have registered a case and investigation is currently on to nab those involved in carrying out the blast.

    At a press briefing Sangma warned, “Those involved in the IED blast in Shillong will not be spared. Those who are a threat to peace will be punished.”

    On his social media handles, he said, “Strongly condemn the IED blast reported in Laitumkhrah earlier this afternoon that has injured two citizens. Home Minister, @LahkmenR & officials of @MeghalayaPolice have apprised me on the matter and further investigation is being carried out.”

    Local MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh also condemned the incident.

    “I condemn this terrible act of violence which has injured two civilians in the heart of Shillong. The use of violence can never be justified and @MeghalayaPolice must investigate the incident & arrest those who are responsible for this,” she said.

    Once a dreaded armed group in Meghalaya and active in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, the organisation which is reputed to have a base camp in Bangladesh, was banned as an ‘unlawful organisation’ by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2019 on grounds that “the outfit is yet to abjure violence”.

    The HNLC, a breakaway faction of the earlier Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation Council (1993) primarily operates in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, and has carried out a number of attacks in the past.

    It claims it wishes to “free” people from alleged domination by “outsiders”.

    Last month the rebel outfit carried out an attack at a police reserve barracks in East Jaintia Hills district headquarters injuring a policeman and damaging buildings.

    Three persons were later arrested.

    A year ago, the outfit had carried out a blast at a cement plant in the same district while in 2015, the rebel outfit had carried out an IED attack in the Jhalupara area of the city.

    No one was injured.

    Although tripartite peace negotiation is ongoing with the rebel outfit, the Meghalaya government has maintained that the outfit has to abstain from violence if it wants to negotiate peace.

  • Public outrage in Shillong after heritage trees get felled for mega road project

    Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: There is public outrage in picturesque Shillong after hundreds of pine trees — scores of them over a century-old — were lopped off for a mega road project.

    After photos and videos of the trees being brought down went viral on social media triggering protests, the state government stopped felling the remaining trees.

    The vintage trees, considered Shillong’s heritage, stood by a road from Rilbong to Upper Shillong and they added to the beauty of the hill station, a popular tourists’ destination. The road will be widened as a part of Shillong-Dawki mega four-lane project.

    The forest department said it had received orders to cut down 4,447 trees in the locality. Earlier, the Ministry of Forest and Environment had cleared the 71-km-long and Rs 1251-crore project.

    The department said it had stopped lopping off the trees following the intervention of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma who asked the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, which is implementing the project, to stop bringing down the trees.

    The state’s Forest Minister James Sangma said the trees were felled on one side of the existing avenue plantation as it was “totally unavoidable” for the major road project.

    The forest department said as compensatory afforestation it would plant ten trees for each tree felled. However, the locals were not amused.

    “The trees were there when my grandparents were young. They were there when my parents and we grew up. Now, these friends of generations of people have been brought down, hurting the sentiments of city residents,” said Irene Kharkongor, a local.

    Activist Agnes Kharshiing said it was very disturbing to see hundreds of trees being felled.

    “We would like to know if the government had followed Indian Forest Act, Bio Diversity Act and Meghalaya Forest Regulation Act. Who gave the land for the project and who is funding for destruction of the trees?” Agnes, who is the president of Civil Society Women Organisation, asked.