Only 22 legislators out of 28 in the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) turned up in an emergency MUA meeting here on Tuesday evening, indicating the lack of confidence in the ruling camp to win the floor test on Wednesday.

Even those present were also not in their best mood. Congress legislator Friday Lyngdoh, who arrived at Mr Lapang's house when the crucial meeting was about to end, even wondered if there was any meeting, showing a complete lack of communication among the MUA members.

Congress' Dr Mukul Sangma, Martin M Danggo and two Independent legislators Limison Sangma and Ismail R Marak could not be present in the meeting as they were busy in campaigning for the Baghmara elections scheduled for March 22, Mr Lapang informed at a press conference after the MUA meeting.

Replying to a question, Mr Lapang said he could not take any decision of quitting office right now since all the MUA legislators were not present in the Tuesday's meeting.

"They are coming from Baghmara and we will hold another meeting on Wednesday morning to decide on whether to face the floor test or to step down," Mr Lapang said adding, "If we get the numbers, we will go for a floor test, otherwise I will tender my resignation.''

According to the Chief Minister, who is heading the "minority government", efforts are still on to woo like-minded parties or legislators from MPA to join the Congress-led Alliance.

On whether he is ready to play a pro-active role in the Opposition, the Chief Minister, who was sworn in by Governor SS Sidhu nine days ago, said, "This is not the first time that we will be sitting in the Opposition. We played the role earlier when the government was headed by late BB Lyngdoh and even PA Sangma."

Meanwhile, he justified the postponement of the election to the post of Speaker saying there is no hard and fast rule not to hold the Speaker's election after the floor test.

He also added that he had discussed the matter with the Governor before taking the decision.

Mr Lapang had exuded confidence on Sundaythat Congress would triumph over rivals in the political battle.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Rijiju said a move was afoot to "sell off" the NEIGRIHMS to a Chennai-based firm in the name of public-private partnership.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must intervene in the matter. The hospital needs only technical staff and some other facilities to be effectively functional," Rijiju said, adding the government was not serious to streamline the functioning the hospital.

"It was upgraded on the par with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) during the time of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Now there is a move to hand it over to private parties," Rijiju said.

The hospital, the first of its kind in the region, has over 500 beds and offers tertiary care in several fields including heart surgery. (IANS)

SHILLONG: Formation of a new government, in case the DD Lapang government resigns or loses the trial of strength on Wednesday, will take place only after election to the post of Speaker, which will be held on Thursday.

Amid indication that Mr Lapang may quit office before the floor test, UDP leader and Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) spokesman Bindo M Lanong on Tuesday said the new government might assume office only on March 20 "according to the House procedure."

It may be mentioned that the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government on Monday decided to postpone the Speaker's election, in which Mr Lanong is an MPA nominee.

While Mr Lanong's prospect to win the Speaker's election is bright with 31 legislators in the MPA fold, the MUA having the figure of 28 is unlikely to see its candidate Charles Pyngrope through to the coveted post.

Meanwhile, HSPDP president Hoping Stone Lyngdoh has claimed that Chief Minister DD Lapang had offered him the Chief Minister's chair.

Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Tuesday, Mr Lyngdoh said that Mr Lapang had asked him to take up Chief Minister's job for the first two and half years and then he would take over from him for the remaining period.

"I told Mr Lapang if I was alone I might have considered his offer. Since I am with a lot of friends so there is no way that I could betray them," Mr Lyngdoh said adding "I also advised Mr Lapang to resign if he did not have the requisite numbers".

He claimed Mr Lapang came to meet him at least three times, including that on Monday night.

SHILLONG: The second hearing on MUA's petition against Governor SS Sidhu's decision to invite the Congress-led MUA to form the government will be held in the Supreme Court on March 24.

The apex court is also likely to pronounce its verdict on the matter on the same day.

In the MPA petition filed by its secretary Conrad K Sangma, the Supreme Court was appealed to issue an order against the Governor's decision to swear in the Congress-led "minority government", which had only 28 MLAs, three short of the majority mark in the 60-member House.

The MPA also sought a direction to reduce the 10-day deadline given by the Governor to DD Lapang to prove majority of his government on the floor of the House. However, the apex court turned down the appeal.

The election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat will be held on March 26.

Four political parties - UDP (11), HSPDP (2), two Independents and one each from the BJP and KHNAM have supported the NCP candidate under the banner of MPA. The MPA has 31 legislators in the 60-member House.

The Congress, however, was hopeful to make to the Rajya Sabha seat.

Mr Marak, who lost the Resubelpara seat to NCP candidate Timothy Shira in the just concluded Assembly elections, said that he was hoping to win the election even if the Congress-led MUA government was defeated in the trial of strength.

"I am sure to win the Rajya Sabha seat as there are well wishers from across who might vote for me," the former Chief Minister said.

In the last election, Robert Kharshiing (NCP) wrested the Upper House seat from the Congress with support from the regional parties, BJP and Independent MLAs. (UNI)

SHILLONG: Congress, NCP and UDP are battling it out to wrest the crucial Baghmara seat in order to increase their tally in the 60-member Assembly.

Election to the Assembly seat, which was countermanded following the death of sitting Congress legislator and party candidate Sengran Sangma, will be held on March 22 and the votes will be counted on March 25.

According to analysts, the poll outcome will also be influenced by result of Wednesday's floor test for the DD Lapang government.

NCP, which is the leading partner in Opposition MPA, already exuded confidence of wresting the seat from Congress in view of the chances of Congress-led MUA government losing the trust motion in the Assembly, paving the way for MPA to form the next government.

"We will surely win the seat," NCP leader Purno A Sangma told newsmen recently while charging the Congress of using money power to retain the seat. NCP has fielded Sato R Marak as its candidate for the seat.

However, Congress is also confident of retaining the seat riding on sympathy votes in favour of the party candidate and late legislator's son Arjun W Momin.

The main poll battle in the constituency is likely to be among NCP, Congress and Independent candidate Gentilla R Marak.

However, sources said, chance of Congress retaining the seat is bleak due to division in the party over selection of the candidate.

Several party functionaries in the constituency resigned recently in protest against Mr Momin's candidature.

Talking to The Shillong Times, Mr Thamar said that last Friday when he went to Umdihar, Ri-Bhoi district, he he was stuck in a traffic jam on reaching Umiam.

Mr Thamar "was in a hurry", but his was not overtaking as alleged, when one traffic police personnel pelted stone on the car.

Mr Thamar, who was in civil dress, stopped the car and introduced himself as a police officer, but the trafficman's "adamand attitude" provoked him to "give four blows" to the junior man. "I did not tore his uniform or damage his wireless set as alleged," Mr Thamar said.

Wearing civil dress was to detect policemen carrying out extortion activities from vehicles, Mr Thamar said.

It may be mentioned here that earlier, traffic policeman identified as Bijulian Nonglang had alleged that the Assistant Commandant of 1st MLP Battalion, Mr Thamar assaulted, tore his uniform and even broke his wireless cassette after the former pelted stone at the latter's vehicle for avoiding his signal at Umiam on Friday evening last.

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) has termed the debacle of the party in the just concluded Assembly election as the ‘real challenge’ for future survival.

During the postmortem meeting held on Tuesday the party felt that the poor performance of the party in the election was due the resignation of the three legislators, DP Iangjuh, PT Sawkmie and D Kharshiing from the party one month before the Assembly election had badly reflected the party image to public eyes.

The meeting chaired by party's Chief Martle N Mukhim, took a 'strong decision' to march ahead in organizing and reviving the party to maintain throughout the length and breadth of the State. "The defeat of the party in the just concluded Assembly election acted as 'pillar to success and sharpens on the 'spirit of fighting without retreat' the meeting felt.

The party did not express support to any side or parties either in the Government or in the opposition, rather opted to remain neutral.

It may be mentioned here that MDP had fielded 18 candidates in the just concluded Assembly election but all lost including its president MN Mukhim.

SHILLONG: As a mark to protest against the adamant attitude of the State Government for their demands, three members Kenneth Shadap, Sunshine Ronghang and Bedrowel Sangma of the Meghalaya Upper Primary School Teachers Association (MUPSTA) will be holding a peaceful fasting on April 4 at Motphran, here from 9 am to 5 pm.

While other teachers of the organisation would be attending their duties in their respective school during the protest.

SHILLONG: Two persons identified as Romeo Khongjee and his friend were injured when a motorbike (RJ14 14M5586) they were riding was dashed by an Indian Air Force bus (00P474800AF) at 12 Mile here on Tuesday.

According to sources, driver of the Air Force bus, which was on high speed, lost control and hit the bike from backside.

A satirist once said, "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts". Well, did not believe he was speaking about a condition that fitted the political scenario of our state so aptly. Our state confronts a political reality where the trapping of government is being embroidered by a political formation that is moderately aware of its political durability. We have ministers being sworn in and a solemnly symbolic government being established in the state even though it may simply have a term of ten days.

As if the practical prank of "discretionary powers" of a constitutional authority were not enough. We now have a government that is not only swearing in cabinet members but is also blatantly announcing that some of such cabinet posts are being kept for "open minded" people wanting to establish a political liaison with a political party that has a history of providing large bursaries to friends-in-need.

A party that has become synonymous with something jestingly termed as "congress tricks" has a mixed history of leadership being led both by statesman and strategists. Statesman from the congress of yore envisioned an ideal post-independent nation-state they struggled to approximate. Successive strategists attempted to rejuvenate a decaying political formation for purposes of mere ruling the nation-state. The decay had already begun when ideals were being substituted by the scheming of statecraft. Yet these strategists conceivably had a political forbearance and an ability to sense the existing political mood. They knew when to match the "man and the moment" to attain a political coup rather than inflict a conscious self-injury. It now seems certain that if the statesmen in the Congress are history, strategists have purely been transformed into supercilious intim-idators.

The Congress as a commentator recently said, does not like the idea of being in the opposition due to numerous compulsions. It firmly adheres to the philosophy of 'heads I win, tails you loose'. What however is more significant is the fact that being in the opposition is not perceived by any party as an indispensable feature in our variety of democracy. Political voice seems to belong only to the ruling formation. The indispensable and imperative role of a strong Opposition to define and structure political debate is never reflected upon by our political formations or their supporters.

The lack of any credible opposition in this state had made political formations running the government reflect a political conceit that has undeniably spawned political corruption. It is due to the absence of a serious opposition that we have come to a political condition where the ruling party determines the content of politics. If we recall the political history of the state we will be aware why a "shadow cabinet" meant to reflect the possibility and presence of a democratic alternative has never been possible. In the last few years we have had only a two-member-opposition, who could not possibly constitute a cabinet, even though a shadow one!

Contemporary alliance arithmetic denies the Congress any possibility of forming a stable government in the next few days unless someone in the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) gasps to retain their political morality after a peek at the fat bursaries being offered. This Alliance, however, has the advantage of being encouraged by a former congressman, who has consciously joined the political game in a "local club" and is well aware of the "congress tricks". Interestingly this alliance also accommodates a pluralism that is so necessary for our socially fractured state.

Moreover, the political constituents of this Alliance had openly expressed their opposition to the political corruption of the Congress during the process of seeking people's mandate and any alliance at least now with the Congress would be perceived as political treachery with this mandate. Apparently some of the alliance members are in the MPA because of the political condescension shown by an arrogant Congress. Nonetheless, some of these members have a long political journey to make and any fluctuation in their political commitments may unsettle this journey.

Though the political voice of the people has become peripheral to the constitution of a government, their political absence or anxious silence should not be abused. Our inherited political system may require changes to permit us to produce a legislature that can hold a government to account, yet the recent turnout, to a yet to be decisively constituted legislature, reflects an average voter's interest in the political process and their silent demonstration for political accountability in the state.

We will soon know the alliance that shall structure the political life of our state but we must be cautiously aware of the aphorism that "the bonds of vices are often more stronger than the bonds of virtues". It remains to be seen which bond succeeds and confronts the political decay and morass. We as citizens however, must continue to exert our political control over the political process, not simply by virtue of being a beneficiary of some form of patronage but by an abiding interest and moral conviction in broader democratic politics. (The author teaches political Science at Women's College, Shillong)

Sir,

What does the state urgently need at present? It needs political stability. But should it be at the cost of development? Can a government, which is embroiled in several scandals and scams, be allowed to continue? Why the Congress is not viewed as the best option to run a new government fails our reason as the Congress was voted as the single largest party. Should the mandate for the Congress be honored? Winning 25 seats is no mean achievement in a state with volatile political affinities. The same party (Congress), who ran the last government without much trouble as far as its stability is concerned, has formed a new government. What of popular opinion? A non-Congress government is an attractive prospect of securing cleansing machinery from the dirt and filth of the previous regime. But should we forget that same political parties (smaller ones), who were part of the previous regime, are now distancing themselves from a Congress-led government. Why almost all of them joining an NCP-led government considered a better (cleansing) option without attracting any criticism? Surely there's more than meets the eye. Because if this happens, political connivance of the same parties of the previous regime will continue which will forestall any motive of the new regime of getting rid of political complacency and intrigues (The NCP-led coalition is a mammoth alliance of different political interests). It seems that the state has to contend with one of these two options. Which one is better equipped is a matter worth researching. The Congress draws the first blood, but the NCP will not give up so easily. With PA Sangma's entry into state politics, which was a well thought out strategy, NCP will not like to sit in the Opposition. His stature and experience is too big for this; he needs to be in the driver's seat. So, though round one went to the Congress, there are lots of rounds to come with no clear winner in the end and the state will emerge as the loser just like the last time.

Yours etc.,
Phransngi Pyrtuh
Via e-mail

Sir,

The current protest by Tibetans in Tibet, India and throughout the world is an indication of the brutality of the Chinese regime. Tibet was never a part of China and hence, China has no legal and moral authority to subject Tibetans in Tibet to

inhuman brutality. The stand of the Indian government in not allowing Tibetans to protest in India is unfortunate. Indians should not forget that they once also were under occupation by the British regime. Tibetans in India should not be merely seen as refugees but as political refugees who under UN laws have certain rights to protest. The dictatorial and self-praising Chinese government has no right to tell Indian government to regulate Tibetan protesters and not allowing them to cross into Tibet. In fact, the Chinese military must immediately leave Tibet once and for all. The stand of the Left parties in India is laughable as they say that it is the internal matter of China. On the contrary, Tibet was never an internal part of China. The Indian and other western countries must warn and stop the Chinese Govt-sponsored genocide of Tibetans in Tibet. The Chinese government run by murderers and rapists must never be allowed to make Tibetans refugees and minority in their own homeland.

Yours etc.,
Dr HS Ranhotra
Shillong
Via e-mail.

Militants shot dead three non-Manipuri labourers at Takhel, one each at Keibi and Kangla Siphai in Imphal East district and Sekmaijin and Konuma in Thoubal district, officials said. At Keibi, the militants herded five labourers to a spot and opened fire killing one and injuring four.

The killings came close on the heels of the gunning down of seven non-Manipuris at Mayang Imphal in Imphal West district on Monday night.

The victims had bits of paper stuck to their backs reading 'Go back to your state', sources said.

A militant group had warned businessmen from outside the state that they would not be allowed to operate freely in Manipur, the sources said, but did not reveal the name of the group.

Condemning the slayings, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said stern action would be would be taken against the killers whose identities were known to the authorities.

Financial help, he said, would be provided to the relatives of those killed and to the injured.

Police officials were asked to make round-the-clock patrols and keep watch on the movement of militants, and passersby were being checked in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur. Central forces and state police would be deployed if sought by non-Manipuri settlements, sources said. (PTI)

The NSCN-IM on Tuesday alleged that Rs 10 lakh per head was offered by the chief of the Indian security forces to the NSCN-K for killing the Sumi leaders working in the NSCN-IM.

According to the NSCN-IM, Army chief General Deepak Kapoor, the present Chief of the Army, had offered the NSCN-K leaders of Rs. 10, 00,000 per head, and also showed willingness to double the amount "if the signal is good enough". This deadly programme was discussed at the official residence of General Kapoor on November 21, 2005, added NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM alleged that ‘captain’ Vikiye was used by NSCN-K leader Mulatuno, and in most of the occasions, much to the discomfort of the captain’s conscience.

As revealed by Vikiye, he accompanied Mulatuno and Wangtin Kayak leaders of NSCN-K to Delhi on three occasions in connection with ceasefire extension, said NSCN-IM in a statement. In Delhi they were put up at the residence of top Indian army officer.

"Significantly, the present Chief of the Indian Army General Deepak Kapoor, played an important host to them in Delhi. It was on one such meeting in Delhi with the then Lt. General (GSO) Deepak Kapoor that a serious conspiracy was hatched to eliminate some of the top Sumi national workers including Qhevihe, Qhehezu Tuccu and others in the NSCN.

The NSCN-IM further alleged that "interestingly, these are the top Sumi NSCN leaders" who refused to turn traitors like Azheto Chophy and his like-minded colleagues, who allowed themselves to be hoodwinked by the New Delhi intelligence bosses.

The outfit said that the false cry of Azheto for Naga unification is all a part of this destructive anti-Naga program that was made to appear in sugar-coated manner. "As testified by Vikiye about the Nagaland Assembly Election, the result of which has gone against the Congress, the New Delhi Congress masters and their Naga stooges in the person of traitors like Azheto group have to bite the dust.

Not surprisingly, there is rumbling in the Azheto group with many questioning the wisdom of running away from NSCN," stated the NSCN-IM.

The outfit said that the old story of Assam Rifles who have been working in close liaison "with the K-group as a counter-force against NSCN was brought to life again when two important functionaries of K-group shifted allegiance to the mainstream NSCN after tasting the sorry state of affairs in K-group with brother-in-law duo, Mulatuno and Kitovi controls everything and others are kept with their mouth shut for few lakhs of money and even Khaplang, the Chairman is not aware of the Indo-Naga affairs and other related issues that concerns the Nagas" Captain said with a tone of regret for having been in political wilderness and recklessly used by Mulatuno and Kitovi".

The leaders NSCN-IM also said that Kivi Kips, also a graduate was at one time personal secretary to Kitovi for three years. He joined the NSCN-K in Oct 2000.

"Though it is a matter of eight years for him to realize his mistake of associating with this group, he expressed his deep regret and anguish for having taken such long years to come to the mainstream NSCN," stated the outfit in a lengthy statement on Tuesday. (NNN)

Champhai police office incharge K Vanlalringa said Kaplianthanga (25) and Thangliansuana (20) killed Haupua (36) of Bilkhawthlir village on March 16 and burnt the dead body. The alleged killers were later arrested and an investigation started. (UNI)

Guwahati: Three cadres of the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), now in truce with Government of India, were killed and two others injured when rival armed miscreants attacked a temporary truce-time camp of the militant group at Gachkata village under Dotoma Police Station in Kokrajhar district on Tuesday evening.

Police informed that an armed group of unidentified miscreants coming on two vehicles opened indiscrimate fire in the NDFB camps where 19 cadres were staying. Three NDFB cadre killed and two others injured in the attack while rest of the militants in truce fled to safety. The miscreants then set fire to the camp.

Police said the identity of the raiders was yet to be ascertained. The incident occurred on the day when the association of surrendered NDFB militants called for a day-long bandh in Kokrajhar district in protest against Monday's killing of their secretary Bigarai Basumatary by suspected NDFB militants.

The attack on the NDFB's truce time camp forced the administration to mount vigil in and around all the ten others such camps in the district.

The NDFB cadres are supposed to stay in three designated truce-time camps and over ten identified temporary camps as per the ceeasefire agreement signed with the Government of India.