Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Monday the state is waiting for official word from Assam to restart border talks. He expects to hear soon. The two states must reconstitute regional committees before meeting to finalize the next steps. Dhar noted that the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills has not yet submitted a formal report on Block I villages. He declined to confirm the exact village count. “We will go by what is stated in the report submitted. We are yet to receive it,” Dhar said. He added that the border issue is complicated and has persisted for over 50 years.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma toured New Shillong on Tuesday. He reviewed the progress of the New Secretariat Complex, the Unity Mall, and the Sports Complex at Umsawli. He demanded timely completion and high construction standards. The Secretariat aims to centralize departments to improve efficiency. The Unity Mall will provide a marketplace for local artisans and self-help groups. The Umsawli sports facility seeks to make the state a regional sporting hub.
Elsewhere, the Jaintia National Council and Jaintia Students’ Union protested at the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council headquarters Tuesday. They demanded the removal of the Dolloi of Elaka Nongkhlieh. They claim he violated laws regarding a mining project at Lum Syrman. Meanwhile, the Sohra Civil Sub-Division lifted prohibitory orders at Weisawdong Falls. Rival villages Laitduh and Umblai reached a settlement, ending the standoff.
Emergency protocols are active in West Jaintia Hills. NEEPCO opened seven spillway gates at the Khandong Dam on the Kupli River starting July 12. Downstream residents must move livestock and gear to safety. In the East Khasi Hills, the district administration launched a stakeholder consultation for the DREAM drug initiative. The program offers detoxification and 90-day recovery plans.
Meghalaya Democratic Alliance spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla confirmed government efforts to resume coal mining are moving forward. He acknowledged that the transition to scientific mining remains slow. Finally, the Meghalaya State Commission for Women is investigating a complaint about a job placement scheme. A woman alleged she was misled into body massage work in Pune after finishing a beautician course. The Meghalaya State Skills Development Society denies these claims.
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