Meghalaya celebrates 69th Republic Day

SHILLONG, JAN 27: Governor Ganga Prasad said the law and order situation in the state, which is previous years is faced with militancy problem, is by and large peaceful where all major festivals were celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety and without any untoward incidents.

“The internal security situation has also significantly improved in the State,” Ganga said while addressing at the Republic Day function at the Pologrounds on Friday.

He said the State Police in collaboration with Central Forces have done a commendable job despite facing constraints of difficult terrain and poor communication infrastructure.

According to him, this has led to a large number of arrests and surrender of militants and other criminal gangs as well as recovery of huge cache of arms and ammunition.

He also commended that the government’s recent approach to facilitate surrendered cadres of different militant organizations to take advantage of the rehabilitation package and assimilate in the national mainstream by involving the Church and community leaders with the aid of the district administration and police have yielded positive results.

On the age-old unresolved inter-state boundary with Assam, Ganga said the disputed pockets along the Assam-Meghalaya border are being monitored continuously.

He informed that efforts are on to solve these disputes and effective mechanisms at the level of Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of both the States have been created for securing a permanent solution to the issue.

“The administrations at the district and local levels of both the States have on many occasions actively resolved problems along the inter-state border thereby ensuring peace and order in the disputed areas,” he added.

The governor also informed that the situation in the international border remained peaceful due to improved relations with the neighboring country.

The State is committed to complete the remaining fencing on the international Border at a fast pace to effectively contain influx of Bangladeshi nationals and trans-border movement and activities of militants and anti-social elements.

The State Govt. is also in the process of implementing a new initiative of creating facilitation centers at various entry and exit points on the interstate border with Assam to check the entry of illegal migrants and other suspicious persons into Meghalaya, he stated.

Ganga also said that Meghalaya has evolved as one of the most preferred tourists destinations in the North East of the country the state government is promoting this pollution-free industry which generated substantial employment opportunities to the people.

“Meghalaya has been able to evolve as one of the most preferred destinations in the North East of the country. Tourism is a pollution- free industry, an eco-friendly industry capable of generating substantial employment opportunities to the people of the State,” Ganga said.

“Adventure tourism activities are being encouraged and a number of adventure destinations providing activities like Zip Lining, scuba diving, trekking, mountain biking, river rafting and camping,” he said.

The Governor said, “The state government is augmenting the tourist accommodation facilities and also building up the brand of the State through focused publicity in electronic and print Media.”

He said these efforts will manage in providing ecologically sustainable tourism with livelihood opportunities for the local communities.

The Governor, whose state is going to poll on February 27, also said that the Development Budget for 2017-18 is Rs 6969 crore which includes Rs 89.1 crore of assistance from Non Lapsable Central pool of Resources (NLCPR) and Rs 124.69 crore from the North Eastern Council (NEC).

He said the State is committed is achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and several steps under the Mission modes have been taken to ensure that these goals are achieved.

As the state prepares to host the national games 2022, the Governor said an Indoor Stadium each will be constructed at Ampati in South West Garo Hills District and Pomlakarai in East Khasi Hills District.

The State Government is continuously also pursuing externally aided funds for water resources, transport, health, and governance, the proposal which have been sent to the Government of India.

Ganga Prasad also said the state received sanction of Rs 810.42 crore for construction of 290 Roads with a total length of 1112.839 kms and 36 long span bridges aimed at connecting 297 villages.

Of these 61 roads have been completed covering a length of 520.185 kms and 75 villages have been connected, he said.

On education, the Governor said three new Upper Primary Schools were sanctioned in the State under SSA and up-gradation of 23 Upper Primary to Secondary Schools under RMSA.

The government has also initiated setting up of two Colleges for Science and Commerce one at Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills District and at Mahendraganj in South West Garo Hills District has been initiated with an aim of decongesting the main educational hub of Shillong, he said.

On the situations along the Indo Bangladesh border, Ganga Prasad said that the situation has remained peaceful due to improved relations with that country.

He said, “The State is committed to complete the remaining fencing on the international Border at a fast pace to effectively contain influx of Bangladeshi nationals and trans-border movement and activities of militants and anti-social elements.”

On the interstate borders with Assam, the Governor said the State government is in the process of creating facilitation centers at various entry and exit points to check the entry of illegal migrants and other suspicious persons into the state.

Marching Contingents led by Major Deepak Singh Mehta from Assam Regimental Centre, Shillong and Second in Command Inspector R.C. Bordoloi from Border Wing Home Guard. The 11 marching contingents includes Assam Regimental Centre, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, District Executive Force, Meghalaya Police, Manipur Police, Border Wing Home Guard, NCC boys and girls, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Indian Red Cross Society and the combine brass band of Border Wing Home Guards, Assam Rifles and Border Security Force.

Tableau Presentation from the Department of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation, Forest and Environment, Horticulture, Public Health Engineering, Fisheries, Health and Family Welfare, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Election and Meghalaya State Skills Development Society (MSSDS).

First prize was bagged by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Second prize by Election and third prize goes to the Forest and Environment Department.

Kayakalp Award for best District Hospital goes to Williamnagar Civil Hospital, East Garo Hills and Commendation Award for District Hospital goes to Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shillong. Best Community Health Centre Award goes to Chokpot CHC in South Garo Hills and Bhoirymbong CHC in Ri Bhoi District. Best PHC goes to Pomlum PHC and Commendation Award was given Mawphlang and Laitlyngkot PHCs, East Khasi Hills.

During the celebration the following announcements was also made:

Police Medal for Gallantry

1. Shri Bitching N. Marak, Inspector of Police

2. Shri Kordor Sohtun, Constable

3. Shri Kingstan Momin, Fireman

President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service

1. Shri Chauenlai Sangma, MPS, Asst. Commandant SF-10, Shillong

Police Medal for Meritorious Service

1. Smti Jubi G. Momin, IPS, Asst. Inspector General of Police (Admn)

2. Shri Jerry Fiscer K. Marak, IPS, Commanding Officer, SF-10, Shillong

3. Smti Janice K. Marak, Inspector of Police, West Garo Hills,Tura

Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service