Mukul tears into Purno again
Staff Reporter
TURA, March 28: The Congress MP election campaign moved to the district headquarters of East Garo Hills (EGH), a recent bastion for the Congress and the constituency of Social Welfare Minister, Deborah C Marak. A crowd of about 3000 gathered in the Rongrenggre HS school field to listen to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya pitch for the Congress candidate, Daryl William Ch Momin. The CM in the interim of the speech taunted the NPP candidate Purno A Sangma by calling him “Promise All Sangma” while also terming the promises made a bluff.
Dr Sangma questioned the promises made by Purno on providing sub divisions and districts. He said, these were not central subjects, but belonged to the state and it was the state’s prerogative.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG/TURA, March 28: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has received the recommendation from the Government of Meghalaya to appoint interlocutor to initiate dialogue with the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA). Also, the outfit on its part has lifted the temporary ban it had imposed on Congress from campaigning in Garo Hills for the April 9 Lok Sabha election in state.
Ministry of Home Affair (MHA) Director in-charge of North East JPN Singh, Friday informed that the MHA received Meghalaya Government’s recommendation letter on Thursday evening, but due to the many layers that the process goes through, the letter could have been delayed before reaching the concerned officer.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, March 27: In a bid to address the challenges related to unemployment and influx, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Thursday took a tough stand by deciding not to issue fresh trading licenses besides licenses on those trades which indigenous people are capable of taking up would also be cancelled.
Addressing pressmen on Thursday, KHADC Executive Member (EM) in-charge of trade Latiplang Kharkongor, who is also a KHNAM MDC from Nongthymmai informed that the Council has decided to stop issuing of fresh trading licenses to non-tribals to protect local interests in trade and labour.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, March 28: Garo Hills based militants Friday withdrew their proposed 12- hr bandh in the entire state following the release of its surrendered cadre.
United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA) Chairman Chiindik Marak, on behalf of other four militant groups - LAEF, ASAK, ANCA and ANLCA, informed that they have withdrawn their proposed Meghalaya shut – down as surrendered ANLCA cadre Charles D. Shira was released on Thursday.

Outfit seeks clarification on status of list of mediators
Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, March 27: Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has barred the Congress from canvassing for its candidate in the Garo Hills region until Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma clarifies on the status of list of mediators sent by the outfit to the state government for initiating dialogue with the outfit.
The outfit has given three – days ultimatum to the Chief Minister to clarify on the issue after conflicting reports surfaced on the list of mediators.  According to the outfit, while Dr Sangma has stated that his government had already recommended the names of 3 mediators and sent for approval to the Centre to start the process of peace talks, Union Home Ministry Secretary (in-charge North East) Sambhu Singh however denied having any knowledge about it and said that it had not come to his level.

NPP Supremo bats for Garoland, asks outfits to shun violence
Staff Reporter
TURA, March 27: The National People’s Party (NPP) election bandwagon moved to the East Garo Hills (EGH) region with former Lok Sabha Speaker and Tura candidate Purno Agitok Sangma asserting the need for creation of a Garoland state carved out of Meghalaya but without the use of guns and bloodshed.
He stressed the importance of dialogue and the democratic process for the voice of the people to be heard if Garoland was to become a reality.  He stressed, "The voice of the people is more powerful than a grenade or AKs. I seek your vote for Garoland. Your fight for creation of Garoland by guerrilla movement is not correct. Be a voice for the A'chik and eschew violence. I will lead the fight and ensure that Garoland is created". He asked all militant groups to come forward to raise their voice through other means other than violence.