Children Dig For Coal In India's 'Rat Holes'

ABC's Bob Woodruff poses with 17-year-old Pemba Tamang, a coal miner in the Indian state of Meghalaya. (Jake Whitman/ABC)
By BOB WOODRUFF (@bobwoodruff) and JAKE WHITMAN

KHLIEHRIAT, India June 17, 2013

Deep in the mountains of Northeast India, the workday begins with a treacherous, five-story climb down slippery bamboo ladders, with no safety gear and no emergency exits. The young coal miner leading the way is named Pemba Tamang, a 17-year-old boy who has been working here since he was just 12 years old.

Along with hundreds of other children who are desperate enough, and small enough, he works this dangerous underground system of tunnels nicknamed "rat holes."


The children who work here are lured by the promise of good wages in a region where one in four young people are unemployed. They will work eight hours a day, six days a week, for the equivalent of a few U.S. dollars per day.

To meet these young miners, we traveled to the Indian state of Meghalaya, a region rich in coal in a country desperate for it-- India relies on coal for nearly half its electricity.

We traveled with Rosanna Lyngdoh, a co-founder of the nongovernmental group Impulse.

In 2010, Impulse discovered hundreds of children -- some as young as 9 -- working in the surrounding mines. Three years after the problem was first exposed, it is still easy to find children working in dangerous and often deadly conditions.

"There's a human rights violation everywhere here, you can see that." Lyngdoh told us.
Tamang is one of the boys Lyngdoh and her group has been following. He has been working in the mines for nearly five years, drawn to the occupation after his father, who was also a coal miner, died from health problems, leaving Tamang with nothing.

Tamang said he begins his work each day at 5 a.m. by climbing into the giant pits, some hundreds of feet deep. He will then crawl into the small openings at the bottom, which stretch horizontally into the earth, and dig for coal for up to eight hours a day.

Tamang can expect to collect about two cart loads per day, worth about 500 rupees, or roughly $8.60.
This kind of child labor is banned under India's Mines Act of 1952. The law prohibits anyone under age 18 from working in the country's coal mines.

But enforcing the law is complicated, since it is left up to each state.

Also, India's Constitution says the tribal and native people have first say over the land -- opening the door for those eager to make money in the coal-rich state.

Because the children are small, they fit easily into the small tunnels, often no more than two feet high.

Young miners we met during our visit shared stories of horrific accidents -- roof collapses that killed fellow workers. Often those trapped have no way out, and little effort is made to save them.

Our visit coincided with the beginning of monsoon season in Northeast India, which brings the added threat of flash flooding. The region is also at high risk for a major earthquake. Tremors are felt nearly every day.

Tamang took "Nightline" into the confusing and dangerous system of tunnels -- a frightening journey lead only by dim flashlights.

He also shares with us his dream for the future, by taking us to a local school, to meet the reason he continues to risk his life every day.

Meghalaya Groups want ILP Implemented

Shillong, Jun 7 : Meghalaya's powerful pressure groups Khasi Students' Union and Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People Thursday sought the implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) to keep "doubtful citizens" out of the state.

In view of suspected illegal migration from neighbouring Bangladesh into Meghalaya, moves are afoot to ensure that tabs are kept on even Indian citizens who enter the state.

The ILP is a document issued to Indian citizens undertaking travel to protected areas in some states. Only those in possession of such a document are allowed to travel to protected areas, for a specified period of time.

The system exists at present in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.

The call to implement the ILP in Meghalaya comes in the wake of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma admitting at Wednesday's meeting of chief ministers in Delhi that there was an influx of people with "doubtful citizenship" into Meghalaya.

"Now that Chief Minister (Mukul Sangma) himself has admitted the presence of doubtful citizens in the state, we strongly demand that the government implement the inner line permit recommended by the Lanong panel to regulate the inflow of outsiders into the state," KSU supremo Daniel Khyriem said.

The committee on influx, headed by Bindo M. Lanong, who at the time was deputy chief minister of the state, had recommended last year that the ILP system be recommended in the state to check the influx of illegal immigrants.

On Wednesday, Sangma, speaking at the conference of chief ministers on internal security, said: "Meghalaya has been facing the problem of influx of people with doubtful citizenship from the neighbouring states of Assam, Tripura and West Bengal."

Echoing the student body, the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) urged the government to implement the inner line permit in this mountainous state at the earliest to protect the identity of the indigenous people.

"We are glad that the chief minister has admitted the presence of doubtful citizens in the state. Therefore, we strongly urge the government to implement the ILP in the state," FKJGP chief Joe Marwein said.

Stressing that the influx poses a threat to the demographic structure of the state, Sangma said the state government had created an anti-infiltration directorate to tackle the burgeoning influx problem more effectively.

"We have sanctioned 117 posts in the first phase and we are in the process of filling up the sanctioned posts. Another 206 posts will be sanctioned in the second phase in due course. In addition, district level teams and special police squads have also been constituted," the chief minister said.

Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is porous, hilly and unfenced, and prone to frequent infiltration.

Sangma said Meghalaya has only 265 sanctioned posts of police officers and other staff under the Prevention of Infiltration (PIF) scheme, and about 125 Border Security Force border outposts to check infiltration from across the border with Bangladesh.

"Considering the length of the international border, the existing number of posts under the PIF scheme is highly inadequate to deal effectively with the illegal influx of foreign nationals," he said.

Meghalaya Man To Appeal HC For Ailing Sons' Mercy Killing

Shillong, May 30 : A father has decided to seek permission from the Meghalaya High Court for mercy killing of his three sons who have thalassemia, a blood disease.

"I can no longer see my children suffering. I have nothing left but to seek permission from the Meghalaya High Court to take away the lives of my children before I commit suicide," 50-year-old Abdul Rahim told IANS.

Rahim, a shoe merchant, said that he has to spend Rs.45,000 each month on the blood transfusion of his sons Sadik Ahmed, 16, Suheil Ahmed, 14, and Mohammad Samim, nine.

Though originally from Assam, Rahim lives in Meghalaya, while his wife and other children live in Doboka in Assam's Nagaon district.

"Only god and my family knows about the suffering that I am undergoing for the treatment of my three ailing children. I have sold off my properties and even my shoe factory. I did all I could to meet the medical requirements of my three sons," he said.

He added that he would approach the Meghalaya and Assam governments for medical assistance his children need.

"If the governments refuse to provide assistance, then I have no other option but move the court with a plea that permission should be granted to kill my three sons and then kill myself," Rahim said.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare Minister Alexander Hek said: "Rahim has not approached us. If he does, the government will examine the matter and then take a decision accordingly."

In Meghalaya, a universal medical health insurance for all residents provides medical relief of Rs.90,000 annually to a family of five and Rs.1.6 lakh in case of critical illness.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/meghalaya-man-to-appeal-hc-for-ailing-sons-mercy-killing/1/273668.html

Meghalaya Guv Promotes Bat Meat; Draws Ire Of Animal Activists

By Rahul Karmakar
Guwahati, May 22 : This might make Count Dracula bat his eyelids in anxiety. Meghalaya governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, not known to have bats in his belfry, has batted for bat meat. His claim: the nocturnal flying mammal, often demonised as evil bloodthirsty vampires, is tasty and healthy.

“The caves of Meghalaya have bats that can yield healthy meat rich in proteins,” Mooshahary said while releasing adventurist Bryan Daly Kharpran’s book Caves for the Uninitiated in Shillong on Monday.

Advising the state government to go for bat-breeding, the governor cited the United Nations’ call for eating nutritious insects to justify bat meat consumption. “Bats eat only flowers and their meat is clean and delicious,” Mooshahary said.

Animal rights activists panned the governor for getting his facts wrong and trying to promote an “illegal” meat industry.

“Bats also eat mosquitoes and other insects, besides fish, frogs, lizards and birds,” Sangeeta Goswami of People for Animals said. “But more importantly, bats are categorised as wild animals and breeding or eating them are punishable under Sections 9 and 39 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.”

“Besides, bat meat is not a notified food item,” Goswami said, adding that encouraging people to eat ecologically sensitive bats useful for humans in plant pollination and pest control was not becoming of a governor.

Bat meat is not popular among the tribes of the North-east although they eat a variety of animals, reptiles, birds and insects. Bat meat is a craze in South-east Asian countries such as Indonesia. People there believe the bile of bats — the giant fruit bats in particular — cures asthma and other respiratory diseases.

India has 117 of the 1,116 species of bats (Chiroptera) identified so far across the globe. More than a quarter of these are found in caves in the North-east. Meghalaya is often referred to as India’s “cave capital” with 1,350 caves identified and 850 explored so far.

Behind Fall Of A Meghalaya Univ, Rise And Rise Of A ‘Chancellor’

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap

Guwahati, May 13 : If PhD degrees in one year to 434 candidates is a "feat" for which CMJ University in Shillong now finds its doors sealed, the growth of its chancellor in the field of academics has not been any less exponential.

Till the early 1980s, as far as anyone can remember, Chandra Mohan Jha was a petty government contractor. By the time he moved on to his first educational ventures, the North East India Trust for Education and Development (NEITED), in 1999-2000, he had managed to rope in former CM D D Lapang as a chairman. The trust landed in a controversy over use of funds and Lapang resigned soon after.

The official website of CMJ University (named by Jha for himself) talks of the 'CMJ Group' having earlier promoted Shillong Engineering and Medical College. In 2003, the engineering and medical college affiliated to North-Eastern Hill University got permission to use two government hospitals in Shillong for the purpose of practical training of its medical students. It was later de-recognised by North-Eastern Hill University (it is now affiliated to CMJ University).

None of which appears to have come in his way as Jha set up CMJ University in 2009 and went on to admit over 3,300 students. Its 434 PhD degrees in one academic year also stand out for the fact that only 10 of its faculty have doctorates. It offers PhD degrees in 79 different subjects. Even a trip to Shillong wasn't needed for the PhD degree. One dental clinic in Panchkula advertised offering its degree. "I have been told that there are such agents all over UP and Bihar facilitating PhD degrees and other degrees from this university," says Meghalaya Governor R A Mooshahary, who as Visitor, filed an FIR against the university on April 30.

Since the FIR was filed and Jha went on the run, local media has been reporting about his "high connections", and how these have helped him for the past several years if not decades. "I remember him as a government contractor in the early 1980s," recalls Patricia Mukhim, a well-known social activist and editor of Shillong Times. "I also remember Jha sending us a press note claiming that a foreign university had awarded him a PhD degree."

Lapang admitted being associated with Jha, but says it was brief. "I soon resigned," Lapang told The Indian Express, adding "The law will take its own course (in the matter of the university)." The four-time CM of Meghalaya incidentally is currently chief advisor to the government of Meghalaya.

Reports are also emerging about Jha having been briefly arrested in 2011 in connection with a case filed by HUDCO; he was released on bail soon after. Another report says the CBI had filed a chargesheet against Jha, then secretary of NEITED, for "misutilisation" of funds released by the North Eastern Council for implementation of a scheme called 'Integrated e-education and tele health programme for 10 schools in Meghalaya'. He is accused of having filed false utilisation certificates.

While Jha himself remains missing, CMJ University authorities refused to comment. Registrar Mrinal Kanti Deb was arrested Saturday while Deputy Registrar Premlal Rai fends off all queries saying: "Wait till he (Jha) returns." Officially, the Meghalaya Police CID have been told by the university that Jha is away in Bihar, his home state, for a wedding in the family.

Meghalaya Varsity Gives 434 Ph.D. Degrees in One Year, Faces Probe

Advt says a dental clinic in Panchkula can be contacted for a Ph.D. from CMJ University

A private university in Meghalaya has created a record of sorts: it has awarded Ph.D. degrees to as many as 434 candidates in 2012-13 academic year, even as only 10 of its faculty members have doctorates. In fact, according to an advertisement put out by the CMJ University, Meghalaya's first private state university set up in 2009, one can even approach a dental clinic in Panchkula for applying for a Ph.D. degree from the varsity.

The university has come under the scanner of many, including Meghalaya Governor R S Mooshahary, who, in his capacity as the varsity's Visitor, has asked it to withdraw all degrees awarded so far.

Terming the admission of over 3,300 students as "illegal", the governor has directed the university not to take fresh admissions until a new Chancellor is appointed as per UGC regulations.

The Meghalaya Police have also registered a case against the university. "Yes, the CID has registered a case against CMJ University," Meghalaya DGP Prem Singh told The Indian Express over the telephone from Shillong Wednesday. He, however, refused to divulge any details.

None of the university officials were available for comment.

Observing that the university's current Chancellor, Chandra Mohan Jha, was appointed without his approval, Mooshahary, in a directive issued to the varsity yesterday, said: "Consequently all further actions of the CMJ University resulting from the appointment of the Chancellor are illegal and void ab initio".

Stating that the university had enrolled 3,379 students for various courses since 2010-11, the Raj Bhawan directive said all these admissions were illegal. It also said all the Ph.D. degrees awarded by the university were "in contravention" of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M Phil/ PhD degree) Regulations, 2009. The Governor pointed out that only 10 of the university's faculty members have Ph.D. degrees.

While the university awarded 434 Ph.D. degrees during 2012-13, 490 more were enrolled for its Ph.D. programmes in the same period.

When the Assam government raised doubts about its Ph.D. programmes, the university issued an advertisement in a leading Guwahati-based daily on April 19 saying it had "not yet awarded any Ph.D. degree to any of the students enrolled from the state of Assam till date." The advertisement also said the university was currently not enrolling any student for its M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes.
Describing this claim as "false and misleading", the Governor said he has "reliable information" that the university has indeed awarded Ph.D. degrees to candidates from Assam.

Meghalaya To Take Action Against Cement Plants On Forest Land

Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong said the union forest and environment ministry would take a final call on the penalties, including compensatory afforestation.

Shillong, Apr 24 : The Meghalaya government Thursday promised to take action against cement companies violating forest conservations laws. "The government is under process to initiate action against cement plants based on the findings of the Joint Inspection Team (JIT)," Forest and Environment Minister Prestone Tynsong said, while replying to a cut motion in the assembly on functioning of the forest department.

He, however, said that the union forest and environment ministry would take a final call on the penalties, including compensatory afforestation which the industrial units would have to compensate as per the provision of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

The JIT constituted by the Meghalaya government as per the direction of the Supreme Court has found nine cement plants in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district are being run on forest land as nearly 50 percent of the surveyed land under the nine plants was classified as forest.

The nine companies are Adhunik Cement, Amrit Cement Industries, Cement Manufacturing Company, Cosmos Cement, Green Valley Industries, Goldstone Cement, Hills Cement, JUD Cements and Meghalaya Cement. The JIT was constituted in July 2011 and the inspections were carried out between March and June last year.

Informing the assembly that the JIT are still inspecting the remaining forest areas where cement plants are being operated, Tynsong said: "We (government) would have a better picture on the total forest areas where the illegal mining operations by the industrial units are going on once the fresh inspection of the remaining forest areas is completed."

Rape Highest Reported Crime in Matrilineal Meghalaya

Khasi women in Meghalaya.

Shillong, Apr 18 : Rape is the highest reported crime in Meghalaya where matrilineal system exists among the dominant tribes and victims of over 65 per cent of those cases were minors, the assembly was informed today.

“The total number of rape cases registered between April 2012 and 31 March 2013 was 179, out of which 118 cases (over 65 percent) involved victims below the age of 18,” Home Minister Roshan Warjri said.

East Khasi Hills district recorded the highest number of rapes with 62 cases, followed by Ri-Bhoi district (32), West Khasi Hills (22), East Jaintia Hills (17), West Jaintia Hills (16), South West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills (both eight) and West Garo Hills (six).

Among other districts, South West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills recorded three cases each, followed by North Garo Hills with two, the minister said, adding that charge-sheets have been filed in 52 cases so far.

She said altogether 91 cases of molestation were reported in the state during April 2012-March 2013 period. There were also other crimes against women like trafficking, cruelty by husband and dowry.

Replying to a cut motion moved by Opposition legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit, Warjri admitted that crimes against women have become a “matter of serious concern” and the state government has taken steps to combat the evil.

“Instructions have been given to all district superintendents of police for effective investigation of cases relating to crimes against women and to review all pending cases of rape,” she said.

On militancy, the home minister said 165 militancy related incidents were reported in the state during the period and activities of the proscribed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) in the Garo Hills region continued to be a cause ofconcern for the government.

Meghalaya Minister Doesn't Know Minimum Age For Drinking Alcohol

Shillong, Apr 18 : Meghalaya Excise Minister Zenith Sangma on Tuesday admitted that he did not know about the legal age for alcohol consumption.

"I have no information on the legal age, but the provision of law will be enforced," he told legislators, while replying to a cut motion in the Assembly moved by National People's Party (NPP) legislator James K Sangma.

Excise officials told IANS that the legal age for consuming alcohol in this mountainous state of Meghalaya is 21 years. "Anyone who has attained 21 years can consume alcohol in the state, but the government will punish owner of a wine store or bar if found selling alcohol to anyone below 21 years of age," an excise official said.



Excise officials said that the legal age for consuming alcohol in this mountainous state of Meghalaya is 21 years.

The NPP legislator told the Assembly that wine stores and bars were flouting excise norms by selling liquor to minors without verifying their age first. He brought the cut motion to discuss the style and functioning of the excise department - the third largest revenue-earning department in Meghalaya.
James Sangma, the eldest son of former Lok Sabha speaker Purno A Sangma, also rued the presence of too many wine shops in some areas without taking into consideration the actual population there.

The minister, however, said the government was taking adequate measures to ensure that wine shops are not set up in the vicinity of educational institutions or places of worship as required by the excise rule.

"This rule will be amended to provide for specific distance within which no liquor licence will be issued," he said. Moreover, he said the government will take steps to ensure that no liquor will be sold or served to those under the permissible age.

Meghalaya has 629 wine stores, 371 outstills, 41 bars, 39 canteens, 34 bonded warehouse, eight bottling plants/brewery/distillery and four country spirit outlets. Zenith Sangma also informed the house that the revenue generated during the last three years has been increasing.

In 2010-2011, the revenue earned was Rs 103.32 crore, in 2011-2012, Rs 131.30 crore and for 2012-2013, it was Rs 150.88 crore. Further, the revenue earned after the implementation of putting a hologram on liquor bottles exceeded the estimated revenue receipts during 2010-2011, amounting to Rs 103.32 crore against the estimated revenue receipts of Rs 100.19 crore.

In 2011-12, against the target of Rs.124.42 crore, the revenue collected was Rs.131.30 crore while in 2012-13, the department earned Rs.150.88 crore against the revised target of Rs.149.38 crore, he added.

First Woman RS Member From Meghalaya

Shillong, Apr 12 : Congress nominee Wansuk Syiem, 55, a former member of the National Commission for Women and a veteran Congress leader, on Thursday became the first woman Rajya Sabha member from Meghalaya.

State assembly secretary H Mylliemngap, who is also the returning officer, declared her victorious in the bypoll to the Rajya Sabha Meghalaya seat on Wednesday.

Though the election to the upper house was scheduled to be held on April 18, Syiem won unopposed as she was the lone candidate to have filed the nomination papers. She was accompanied by three women legislators - home minister Roshan Warjri, social welfare minister Deborah C Marak and Mahendraganj MLA Dikkanchi D Shira. TNN P3

The by-election to the Rajya Sabha's lone Meghalaya seat was necessitated due to the resignation of sitting member Thomas Sangma. He resigned on February 4 this year to contest the assembly polls from North Tura on an NPP ticket. He, however, finished third. Sangma's term was to end on April 12, 2014.

Syiem expressed her gratitude to the Congress high command and president Sonia Gandhi, MPCC president DD Lapang and chief minister Mukul Sangma. Syiem said, "I feel great! We will try our best to serve the state and its people."

Born in 1956, Syiem joined Congress in 1977. She was an active member of the National Students' Union of India as well as the Seva Dal prior to joining the mainstream political party.

An elected member of the AICC, Syiem has been chairperson of the Meghalaya State Social Welfare Board, besides being general secretary of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee and vice president of the All India Mahila Congress.

New Caves Discovered in Meghalaya

Shillong, Apr 5 : With the discovery of 19 new caves in the Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya could now boast of 1,350 of them spanned over 387 kilometre, of which 887 caves have been explored including the country’s longest Krem Liat.

The discovery was made by a team of international speleologists led by the Meghalaya Adventure Association (MAA) who successfully undertook an expedition recently to 21 caves in the state.

Speleologists from UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Germany, and members of the host organisation besides two Romanian biologists and a city-based researcher were part of the 2013 team, MAA Secretary B D Kharpran, told PTI.

He said that during the 18-day expedition 19 new caves were explored and four partially explored ones were further explored and extended.

The team also collected information about a number of other caves in Moolapui village in the East Jaintia Hills district, he said.

During the expedition the Krem Khung in Larket area was re-estimated from 5,065 metre to 7,349 metre in length, making it India’s 8th longest cave characterised by huge fallen boulders the size of houses, Kharpran said.

The 10th longest cave in the country, the Krem Labit Kseh in the Kopili Valley was re-estimated from the previous 5,910 meter to 6,802 meter in length with fine river passages and beautifully decorated dry relic passages like the Black Diamond Passage and Crystal Gallery.

Kharpran said this was one of the very few caves in India that had a profusion of rare gypsum formations resembling flowers.

The explorers also re-estimated the length of Krem Diengjem in the Krem Tyngheng-Diengjem cave system from 21,250 meter to 21,359 meter, almost touching the Krem Kotsati-Umlawan system which is India’s 2nd longest cave at 21,450 meter, he said.

In December last year, adventurers from the MAA and an American speleologist successfully identified 12 new caves in Amarsang village in South West Khasi Hills district near the India-Bangladesh border.

The expedition mapped 743 meter of Krem Amarsang, characterised by identical 3 meter wide deep wells all along the active stream, he said.

Meghalaya To Speed Up Convictions With Prosecution Directorate

Shillong, Apr 5 :  Meghalaya, one of the country's smallest states, might be showing the way with the establishment of a separate Prosecution Directorate at its newly opened high court to to speed up convictions for violent crimes. This will also ensure that the police focus better on investigations.

"The setting up of the Prosecution Directorate is to improve the way the cases get pursued in court and also to help in improving the quality of investigation," state Home Minister Roshan Warjri told IANS.

Violent crimes are defined as those against women, as well as terrorism and murder, among others.

Significantly, several groups and women activists have been raising a hue and cry against the growing cases of crime against women in this mountainous state traditionally known for its matrilineal society and respect accorded to women. Government statistics reveal that in 2012, there were 236 crimes reported against women, of which 158 were rape cases.

Warjri said the recruitment rules for the new directorate were being framed to ensure that the best talent gets selected for the job.

Moreover, she said that the government has proposed to separate investigation from the other functions of the police. "There will be a dedicated team of officers to deal with investigations alone," she said.

"With proper training and experience over time, this should lead to faster investigation, better investigation and higher convictions. Then only will the deterrent effect of the law become visible. This would also help in ensuring greater accountability on the part of the police officers," Warjri added.

Justice Toom Meera Kumari was sworn in March 23 as the first chief justice of the newly-constituted Meghalaya High Court.

Inaugurating the high court March 25, Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir said it will help integrate Meghalaya's different traditional laws and customs with the legal system of mainstream India.

"There are different systems prevalent here, which need to be integrated, and with the coming into operation of the new high court here, I think it will go a long way in fulfilling these aspirations," Kabir said.

"With the functioning of the new high court, the people of Meghalaya would have better access to seek justice and the traditional laws and customs would be integrated," Kabir said.

Apart from Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura also have their own full-fledged high courts now. Hitherto, while Sikkim had its own high court, the other seven northeastern states were under the jurisdiction of the Guwahati High Court.

Meghalaya Scripts History

Home portfolio for woman minister, budget session from tomorrow

By Andrew W. Lyngdoh

Shillong, March 12: Meghalaya has scripted history yet again as the state will, for the first time, have a woman minister to head the crucial home (police) department.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul M. Sangma has allotted the crucial department to Roshan Warjri, Congress legislator representing North Shillong constituency.

Warjri is also perhaps the first woman in Northeast and eastern India to hold the vital department.

Andhra Pradesh, which is also ruled by the Congress, has a woman home minister in P. Sabitha Indra Reddy.

Moreover, apart from the home (police) department, the veteran politician from North Shillong will also take charge of home (jails) and the Public Works Department (buildings) departments.

In the earlier Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) ministry, veteran Congress leader H.D.R. Lyngdoh was the in charge of the home (police) department.

However, in the new ministry, Lyngdoh has lost both the home (police) and the PWD (roads) departments.

The PWD (roads) department has been allotted to the youngest member of the cabinet and new entrant, Sniawbhalang Dhar, a two-time Congress legislator representing Nartiang constituency.

Lyngdoh will now handle the transport, general administration department, district council affairs and cooperation.

Awards announced

Gary Jarman Lamare, who conquered Mount Everest last year, will be awarded the U Kiang Nangbah award for sports by the Meghalaya government.

To 30-year-old Shillongite, a photographer with Discovery channel, became the first individual from Meghalaya to summit Mount Everest on May 25, 2012.

Accompanying nine members of the Army Adventure Wing, Gary, a resident of Lower Lachaumiere in Shillong, scaled the peak in the early hours.

U Kiang Nangbah award for sports is one of the three Meghalaya Day awards conferred by the state government on achievers.

For the U Tirot Sing award for arts and literature, the state government has chosen Streamlet Dkhar, Khasi poet and author. Meghalaya Parents’ Association for the Disabled (MEPAD) general secretary Belbora Wankhar, and Col (retd) Tauro Ignatius Donald will share the Pa Togan Sangma award for social service.

The awards carry a citation along with cash of Rs 1 lakh each.

The decisions were taken this evening in the first meeting of the Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) cabinet under the chairmanship of chief minister Mukul Sangma.

Budget session: The maiden budget session of the ninth Meghalaya Assembly will be held from Thursday and continue till March 22. After a brief recess, the session will resume from April 8 and will continue till April 18.

The cabinet today approved the text of the Governor’s address, which will be delivered by Governor R.S. Mooshahary on the opening day of the budget session.

Women Rule in Shillong's Khasi Tribe!

Members of Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai, a men's rights organisation, meet in Shillong.

Shillong, Meghalaya: India's remote northeast is home to an ancient tribe whose high regard for women makes it a striking anomaly in a male-dominated country.

But as the world marks International Women's Day this Friday, the region has become a staging ground for an unlikely battle in which men are trying to end a matrilineal tradition practised by more than a million people.

The Khasi tribe in the picturesque state of Meghalaya places women at the centre of its society from the cradle to the grave.

"Go to any hospital and stand outside the maternity wards and listen," says Keith Pariat, a men's rights activist.

"If families have a boy, you will hear things like: 'oh okay, he'll do'. But if it's a girl then there is joy and applause."



Pariat is the chairman of Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai (SRT), an organisation fighting to eradicate a tradition with tremendous staying power.

According to Khasi tradition, the youngest daughter inherits all ancestral property, men are expected to move into their wives' homes after marriage and children must take their mother's family name.
And, in a ruling which helps explain the grand welcome for female babies, all parents with ancestral property but no daughters are required to adopt a girl before they die, since they cannot leave the inheritance to their sons.

The matrilineal system has endured for thousands of years here, but now activists like Pariat are determined to overthrow it.

"When a man has to live in his mother-in-law's house, it tends to make him a little quiet," Pariat says.
"You are just a breeding bull. No one is interested in hearing your views about anything, you have no say in any decision whatsoever."

The 60-year-old businessman believes that the matrilineal system has been "totally detrimental" to Khasi men.

"It puts no responsibility on their shoulders so they tend to take life easy and they go into drugs and alcohol and that cuts their life short," he told AFP in the state capital Shillong.

It also makes them unappealing to Khasi women, who exercise their right to marry outside the community instead.


Teibor Langkhongjee, a 41-year-old entrepreneur and SRT member, says the choice is easy to understand.

"Khasi men don't have any security, they don't own land, they don't run the family business and, at the same time, they are almost good for nothing," he said.

A men's rights movement did emerge in the early 1960s, but petered out after hundreds of Khasi women turned up at one of their meetings, armed with knives.

SRT, founded in 1990, faces an uphill battle to overturn Khasi tradition, since India's constitution guarantees the tribal councils' right to set their own customary laws.

The clash between clan rules and Indian law is a familiar one, with the judiciary often expected to step in when gender rights are at stake.

In the past however, such conflicts have focused on expanding women's rights whether in matters of inheritance, dowry or alimony in the case of Hindu and Muslim families.

Men's rights have never been the subject of debate.

In Shillong, most women dismiss the suggestion that their society is biased.

Although Khasi women are empowered to make their own decisions over marriage, money and other matters, political participation remains low, with women accounting for only four out of 60 state legislators.

"The reason the property is left to the youngest daughter is because she has the responsibility to look after the parents until they die," said Patricia Mukhim, editor of The Shillong Times.

"Parents feel like they can always depend on their girls."

In a country where mothers often face huge pressure to give birth to sons, leading to a surge in selective abortions, Meghalaya has consistently boasted a healthy sex ratio.

The state's sex ratio currently stands at about 1,035 females for every 1,050 men, higher than the global norm of 1,000 women for every 1,050 men.

Misogyny remains widespread in many parts of India, where sex assaults are often dismissed as "eve-teasing" and victims can be blamed for attacks.

The gang-rape of a female student in December on a bus in New Delhi fuelled angry nationwide demonstrations.


Pesundra Reslinkhoy, a 25-year-old nursery school teacher in Shillong, said she appreciated the matrilineal system all the more after the Delhi gang-rape.

"I think it is a good tradition for Khasi, that all the power will stay with women because it will avoid us from many evil things," she said.

The SRT has no plans to mount a legal challenge to the tribal customs, hoping instead that an informal campaign of brochure distribution and public meetings will convince more Khasis of the need for change.

But there are few signs of the group's influence in the state's tradition-bound villages, suggesting that the balance of power is unlikely to shift anytime soon.

"In most of Meghalaya, people only know the old ways and they like the old ways just fine," Mukhim said.

In these elections in Meghalaya, PA Sangma and his 'magic bus' seek inroads

Selsela (Meghalaya): In Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district, a bus the locals call 'The Magic Bus' has been doing the rounds over the past month or so. At every public meeting that PA Sangma addresses in his home district, he emerges on a hydraulic stage from a vehicle that's been dubbed "the magic bus" by the large crowds he draws.

This assembly election, Mr Sangma, who is 65, will need his magic touch more than ever before.

A few months ago, Mr Sangma contested and lost the presidential elections to Pranab Mukherjee. He contested these elections against the wishes of his party, Sharad Pawar's NCP. Now, Mr Sangma has a new party, and he has aligned himself with the BJP in the state, and plans to unite all non-Congress parties in the state.

The veteran politican is not contesting himself, but is campaigning for his two sons and 30 other candidates fielded by his National People's Party.

Mr Sangma says he is using his fight for the President's post to appeal to the nearly 85% tribal population in Meghalaya. "I am telling voters that but for Congress and NCP, a Garo would have been the President of this country. Why should you vote for such parties?"

This election is also about prestige. Mr Sangma has been Chief Minister of Meghalaya once, in the late 80's. Back then, he was a member of the Congress. Since then, he has played kingmaker in Meghalaya but not the leading role.

His critics suggest his decision to form his own party may consign him to a small political space  within his home district in Meghalaya

But Mr Sangma laughs off the suggestion. He says, "My critics have forgotten I am a former Lok Sabha speaker. They don't know me perhaps . You see we will emerge as the single largest party in Meghalaya."

In Cherrapunjee, Votes Might Grow On Trees

By Sushanta Talukdar

Special Arrangement Plants grown by Richard D. Shabong, CPI candidate in the Meghalaya election, by filling dug up rocks with topsoil on his plot of land in Shillong.

Meghalaya politician makes afforestation his campaign theme to remedy water shortage

Stump speeches are often rhetoric, targeting opponents. But this politician’s campaign theme is different. The campaign programme of Richard D. Shabong, the lone Communist Party of India candidate in the February 23 Meghalaya election, is practically a demonstration — of how to grow plants and trees on rock after adding topsoil.

Experts say that simply planting trees may not be enough for Mr. Shabong’s constituency Sohra, formerly known as Cherrapunjee, which is known for a paradox of suffering from severe and persistent water shortage despite being the wettest place in the world. Deforestation and soil erosion, coupled with a growing population, have reduced the water table, allowing the rain water to run off into Bangladesh. What is needed is a coordinated afforestation programme that involves not just tree planting but also rainwater harvesting and scientific water table management, the experts note.

However, government-sponsored programmes have been unable to make a big dent here so far. One scheme suffered from the plants being destroyed by forest fire.

In such a situation, Mr. Shabong hopes his passion will rub off on people and boost their interest and raise awareness. A resident of Lower Mawprem, Shillong, who retired as a field assistant in the botany department of North Eastern Hill University, Mr. Shabong has developed a plot of land near NEHU, where he has grown trees on rocks by filling dug-up rocks with topsoil and employing his knowledge of plant characteristics.

Mr. Shabong seeks votes, saying: “Grow trees on rock to make your villages green again to solve the problem of drinking water shortage.” He knows the heavy competition he faces from bigger parties such as the Congress, but says he has been overwhelmed by people’s response to his campaign.

“I will be busier after the election, as many people of my constituency have expressed their willingness to start growing trees on rocks on the hills around their village”, he said.

In Election Season, A Few Dark Thoughts in Meghalaya Coal Belt

By Esha Roy

EAST JAINTIA HILLS, Feb 15 : A patchwork green and black — hills of glistening coal and forested flats — sprawls over 2,000 sq km in the East Jaintia Hills. The digging, splitting and sorting of coal is ceaseless, as is the coming and going of SUVs loaded with migrant labour. A fine black film covers every inch of Ladrymbai — every aspect of life in this mining town revolves around coal.

Of the 29 candidates for Meghalaya's assembly in the East Jaintia Hills, at least 13 are well known coal mine owners; two have limestone mines. In the constituency of Khliehriat, all five candidates — one each from the Congress and United Democratic Party and three independents — are coal barons.

Meghalaya goes to polls on February 23, along with Nagaland. Counting of votes is scheduled for February 28.

First-time candidate Finelyness Bareh, 46, has several quarries around his village Rymbai. "I had not thought of entering politics, but the people of my village said that I should stand. I am running as an independent, but if I win, I will join whichever party is likely to form the government... there is really no point otherwise," he said.

Bareh's home towers above his neighbours' in Rymbai, whose smooth, tarred roads and brightly painted concrete dwellings indicate prosperity. A steady stream of villagers starts arriving at 7 every morning, and it is often 1 am by the time his day ends.

"I was not in favour of his joining politics, but this is the will of the people," said Eugene, Bareh's wife and mother of his four daughters.

The big election issue in the East Jaintia Hills — where almost all of the 61,000-strong electorate is engaged in the coal mining industry — is more national than local.

"This year has been bad for us. Our sales primarily happen in the winter. But with new policies coming into effect in North India, the trucks which used to come from Haryana, UP and Punjab did not arrive this year," Bareh said. "They have started importing coal at a price that is less than ours." Spirits were low at Christmas last year, he said.

Elected representatives from the Jaintia Hills are at the heart of Meghalaya's strong mining lobby. The Lok Sabha member from Shillong, Vincent Pala, one of the biggest coal miners in the state, is from Jowai, headquarters of the district. The network of powerful entrenched interests often works to block out modern and more productive mining practices in the area, several analysts and political observers in the state said.

Paul Lamare, who works for a communications company that produces TV shows in Jowai, said poor levels of literacy frequently acts to the detriment of the region's development.

"Politics here runs on money," Lamare said. "The coal barons and mine owners are millionaires, but many of them don't even know how to sign their name. This is a problem if the winning candidate has to run the administration and represent his people in the assembly."

Tonshanbor Singh Nongbet, An Opera Singer From Meghalaya

By Themthingchon Y R

New Delhi, Feb 14 : The northeast, which has over the years produced many talents, has added another feather to its cap through Tonshanbor Singh Nongbet, an opera singer from Meghalaya.

The 22-year-old singer, popularly known as Toshan, is a gifted singer and a versatile vocalist who developed his love for music at the tender age of 10.

He embarked on his musical journey, without any formal training, after listening to legends like Pavaroti and Placido Domingo. Toshan's aim is to popularize opera in India, especially in the Northeast which is home to many talented musicians.

"Basically now, my aim is to see the perfection to sing opera. If I look into perfection then I may get better education and skill about opera and may be I come back and want promote opera more in the northeast," said Tonshanbor.

Tonshanbor recently performed in New Delhi at the event "An Evening of Opera and Jazz" organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The audience thoroughly enjoyed popular opera songs like "Nela fantasie", "Somewhere over the rainbow" and "The prayer".

" I was absolutely stunned by his performance because his voice was just amazing. He sings very well and I love listening, it was so perfect," said Marion , a visitor from Meghalaya.

"Toshanbor and his band were fantastic. I am proud as an India that there is lots of talented youngster in music," said Vavavd Krishnan, a visitor from Delhi.

Eminent pianist Ronojit Chaliha, guitarist Amarnath Hazarika and drummer Samual Shullai shared the stage with Tonshanbor.

"There are so many young bands are coming up from northeast but they just need a platform or opportunity to perform. So that they can go beyond the level,' added Amarnath Hazariak, a guitarist.

In 2012, Tonchanbor reached the final round of the reality show 'India's Got Talent' Season-4, and was declared the 4th runners up.

113 Crorepatis in Fray For Meghalaya Polls

Shillong, Feb 14 : Altogether 113 candidates of the total 341 candidates in fray for the February 23 Assembly elections in Meghalaya have property worth over Rs one crore, according to an working for electoral reforms.

The ruling Congress fielded 35 crorepati candidates including four women, second only to the 38 others who joined the 2013 poll battle as independents, said the Meghalaya Election Watch (MEW).

Congress' ally, the United Democratic Party (UDP), have 23 crorepati candidates while 17 others belonged to the Opposition NPP, HSPDP, SP, NCP and the BJP, the MEW said.

Congress' Ngaitlang Dhar, contesting from Umroi seat, is the richest with assets of over Rs 235 crore, followed by Jropsing Nongkhlaw (Congress, Shella seat) and Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP, Mairang) with assets worth over Rs 52 crore and over Rs 37 crore respectively.

Dhar also carries with him a tag of having criminal cases along with 13 other candidates, two each of whom are candidates of the Congress and the UDP.

Congress MLA, Founder S Cajee, who assaulted a photo journalist in the Assembly premises last year, however, was not in that list of 13, the NGO said

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and his wife Dickanchi D Shira, who is joining electoral politics this year for the first time, have declared joint assets worth over Rs 28 crore.

Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope have added over Rs three crore in the past five years as his assets increased from Rs 3.77 crore in 2008 to Rs 6.94 crore this year.

Ten women candidates, including the chief minister's wife, were crorepatis. Four belonged to the Congress.

The lone woman legislator in the state who was also in the cabinet, Ampareen Lyngdoh's assets increased from Rs 23,518 in 2008 to Rs 21 lakh this year, an increase of over 9000 per cent in a period of five years.

Of the candidates, nine were PhD degree holders, 23 candidates are under matriculation while eight candidates are over 70 years of age, the MEW said.

Thousands Take Part in Meghalaya Pilgrimage

Umiam (Meghalaya), Feb 4 : Thousands of people climbed the sacred U Lum Sohpetbneng mountain here Sunday as part of an indigenous tribal pilgrimage to the "navel of heaven".

U Lum Sohpetbneng, popularly known as "umbilical heavenly peak", is situated by the scenic Umiam Lake (Barapani), 17 km north of state capital Shillong.

Thousands of Khasi-Jaintia tribesmen make this annual pilgrimage to the top the 1,344-metre peak to offer their obeisance to god.

"It is a firm and deep rooted belief of the people, Ri Hynniewtrep (the Seven Huts people, inhabiting the West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Jaintia Hills districts in eastern Meghalaya) descended to earth from a golden bridge atop the sacred U Lum Sohpetbneng," said Sumar Sing Sawian, one of the Seng Khasi elders.

The sub-tribes of the Hynniewtrep race - U Khynriam, U Pnar, U Bhoi, U War, Maram, Lyngngam and the now-extinct Diko of Meghalaya - are collectively known as Ki Hynniewtrep, which literally means 'Seven Huts' referring to the seven families which were the first settlers on earth, according to a tribal legend.

The annual obeisance is accompanied by traditional rituals and rites, dances and songs. Rice grain and water are distributed on the occasion to gain spiritual contentment and good health.

U Lum Sohpetbneng is shrouded in an aura of sacredness and sanctity, being the repository of ancient wisdom and values of the Hynniewtrep.

"According to ancient Khasi faith, you can approach god only with a golden heart full of virtue and humility. God is like a mother with whom her children are linked through the umbilical cord," said Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, poet and author of several books on the Khasis.