Category Archives: Uncategorized

(IANS)

NEW DELHI, May 23: Gold prices rose 0.19 per cent during the week over persistent geopolitical uncertainty and sharp movements in crude prices.

On Friday, MCX gold June futures dipped 0.06 per cent while MCX silver May futures lost 0.09 per cent.

Currently, gold futures stood at Rs 1,58,588, while silver futures stood at Rs 2,71,600 per kg on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX).

The price of 10 grams of 24-carat gold was at Rs 1,58,117 on Friday, up from Rs 1,57,821 seen on Monday market opening, according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewelers Association (IBJA).

Towards the weekend, gold prices traded slightly weak as COMEX gold stabilised near $4535, with strong rupee appreciation adding pressure on domestic bullion prices, an analyst said.

Media reports about progress in US-Iran negotiations eased precious metals buying, though unresolved tensions around the Strait of Hormuz provided near-term support.

Positive signals around ongoing US-Iran proposal discussions are helping COMEX gold hold support near the $4500 zone, though uncertainty around the final outcome continues to keep volatility elevated, he added.

India’s gold demand is expected to dip 10 per cent YoY or by 50-60 tonnes in CY 26, following the import duty hike, according to a report from World Gold Council.

The gold import duty was raised sharply from 6 per cent to 15 per cent, marking the single-largest increase on record, fully reversing the duty cut of July 2024.

Going ahead, gold movement will continue to depend on US-Iran developments, dollar index movement, and rupee volatility.

If our valued e-paper subscribers have any difficulty in accessing electronic edition of The Shillong Times, they may send mail to [email protected] for redressal.

NEW DELHI, May 23: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said he will lead a business delegation of over 150 members to Canada on May 25-27 to seek investments, enhance collaborations and give impetus to talks for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA).

He said that a series of meetings is in the pipeline with leaders and businesses in Ottawa and Toronto. (PTI)

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 21: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) juggernaut continues its relentless march across the country, having already wiped out the Congress in large parts of India and the Northeast and the TMC in West Bengal.

After unseating Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee and consolidating its power in Assam, the BJP has begun turning heads in the NPP camp in Meghalaya which heads to assembly polls in early 2028.

As per sources some NPP leaders have privately begun discussing the growing challenge the BJP may pose, especially in light of its renewed and aggressive performance in recent assembly polls.

However, senior NPP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar downplayed such concerns, saying, “There is no challenge to the NPP in 2028 as people know whom to vote for.”

Stating that the ideology of the BJP and NPP are completely different, Dhar, however, acknowledged that the state is benefitting from significant development initiatives under the BJP-led NDA Government.

He expressed confidence that the NPP would improve its tally while “BJP will get the same number of seats with a small plus or minus.”

Despite the NPP’s bravado, the BJP’s proven ability to dismantle long-standing regional incumbents is likely to intensify the political battle in Meghalaya in 2028 as the saffron party continues on its quest to expand its footprint in the Northeast.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 21: Me- ghalaya Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang on Thursday acknowledged that gaps in collating intel- ligence inputs contributed to the police’s inability to fully anticipate the scale of unrest that erupted in Garo Hills over the GHADC election controversy earlier this year.

Addressing a state-level police conference in Tura, she said the disturbances that broke out in March following protests against the GHADC notification on Scheduled Tribe certificates prompted the police to undertake an in- ternal review of its response and preparedness.

The controversy triggered widespread protests after the notification effectively barred non-tribal candidates from contesting the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections. The agitation later escalated into violence in several parts of Garo Hills, leaving two persons dead, damaging public and private property, and forcing the state government to postpone the GHADC polls.

Reflecting on the devel- opments, Nongrang said the police received multiple intelligence inputs before the violence, but admitted that the information was not adequately analysed col- lectively to assess the larger situation developing on the ground.

According to her, separate inputs had been received re- lating to the mobilisation of people, poll-related tensions, and concerns over illegal migrants and labour-related issues. However, the different strands of intelligence were not properly pieced together to provide a comprehensive picture of the emerging un- rest. (Contd on P-7)

Pro and anti-public hearing groups clash, 2 hurt in police baton charge

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 21: Two persons were reportedly injured after police cane-charged to stop a clash between two groups near the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office in Khliehriat on Thursday morning.

One of the groups supported the proposed public hearing on the Shree Cement limestone mining project; the other group opposed it. The public hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Sources said hundreds of residents from villages under Elaka Nongkhlieh took out a peace rally from Shi Kilo towards Khliehriat in support of the proposed public hear-ing. Tension erupted when another group opposing the public hearing, which had already gathered near the DC’s office, allegedly attempted to obstruct the rally upon its arrival.

The situation soon turned violent, prompting police intervention. Police reportedly resorted to a lathi-charge after protestors opposing the public hearing allegedly started pelting stones at security personnel.

The two injured persons were reportedly participants in the peace rally supporting the public hearing.

The United Joint Action Commit-tee of Non-Governmental Organisa-tions (UJAC), a conglomeration of 20 pressure groups led by the East Jaintia People’s United Front and the East Jaintia Small Miners and Dealers Association, condemned the police action.

The committee stated that the rally was organised to allow the people of Elaka Nongkhlieh to voice their support for the proposed public hearing.

UJAC chairman Daowanh Rym-bai said that the participants of the peace rally witnessed heavy police deployment near the DC’s office, where the gate had been closed. He alleged that confusion and confrontation broke out near the gate even before the rally reached the venue, eventually leading to a clash between police and members of the public.

Condemning the use of force, he alleged that the police had used batons on peaceful protestors par-ticipating in the rally.

Rymbai said the action amounted to a violation of the democratic rights of the public to peacefully express their views and demands.

He also urged the state govern-ment and the district administration to ensure that the public hearing proceeds smoothly and that people are allowed to participate without obstruction.

Further, he appealed to the police to strengthen security arrangements at the venue to prevent miscreants from creating disturbances near the DC’s office.

Rymbai also demanded the sus-pension of police personnel alleg-edly involved in assaulting peaceful participants of the rally.

Meanwhile, the East Jaintia Hills district administration imposed pro-hibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, within the premises of the DC’s office in Khliehriat.

According to an order issued by District Magistrate Manish Kumar, the decision followed a protest demonstration staged earlier in the day by members and supporters of the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), the Jaintia National Council (JNC), and villagers from the Daistong area inside the DC’s office campus.

The order stated that some dem-onstrators allegedly entered the office building, creating tension and distur-bance within the premises, affecting normal government functioning and posing a threat to public peace and safety.

Citing apprehensions of obstruc-tion, disturbance of public tranquil-lity, breakdown of law and order, and possible damage to public property, the administration prohibited the assembly of five or more persons within the boundary of the DC’s of-fice complex.

On Wednesday, the High Court of Meghalaya declined to stay the public hearing scheduled for May 22 in connection with the limestone mining project proposed by Shree Cement at Lum Syrnan, Nongkhlieh Elaka, in East Jaintia Hills.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 21: The High Court of Meghalaya has strongly criticised NHIDCL for the shabby and unscientific execution of the under-construction Shillong-Dawki road, observing that the manner of work is endangering human lives and pushing up construction costs.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was informed that compensation of Rs 4 lakh and Rs 6 lakh had been paid directly to the legal heirs of two persons who lost their lives after a boulder crashed onto their vehicle on the Shillong-Dawki road.

During the hearing of the PIL, Amicus Curiae Philemon Nongbri submitted a preliminary inspection report of the road carried out on May 14, 2026. The report stated that the carriageway was in deplorable condition, covered with loose mud and uncleared debris, making it barely motorable and extremely dangerous for the public. It highlighted the complete absence of sturdy barricades to separate live traffic from deep drops and excavation zones. Instead, the contractor had used only thin wooden sticks tied with safety tape, which offered no real protection.

The report further pointed out that signage was grossly inadequate, with “landslide prone area” and “drive slow” messages written on insecure flex banners instead of standard high-visibility boards. Despite heavy fog and poor visibility in the area, there were no reflectors, delineators or luminous markers. There were also no proper “men at work” signs or advance warnings near operating heavy machinery. The inspection (Contd on P-7)

By Our Reporter

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 21: The East Jaintia Hills district administration on Thursday said it was fully prepared to deal with any situation that might arise during Friday’s proposed public hearing on the Shree Cement limestone mining project at Lum Syr- man under Nongkhlieh Elaka in the district.

Amid growing tension and protests surrounding the project, the administration has requisitioned additional police personnel from the state police headquarters to help maintain law and order during the hearing.

Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar told reporters that the district administra- tion was prepared to handle any situation.

He said additional police forces had been requisitioned in view of protests and agita- tion witnessed at the Deputy Commissioner’s office over the past two days. He said the administration had managed to control the agitation and maintain order.

Asked if paramilitary forces will also be deployed, Kumar said the additional police personnel would be sufficient to manage the situation during the public hearing.

Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) Member Secretary George Hagi Chyrmang clarified that the authorities are legally bound to proceed with the public hearing process in ac- cordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notifica- tion, 2006, and subsequent amendments.

Chyrmang said the MSP- CB received both objections and letters of support on the limestone mining project, which covers approximately 217 hectares.

He said the Board had issued the mandatory public notice and completed all required procedures under the EIA rules, including the stipulated 30-day notice pe- riod prior to the hearing.

Clarifying the legal posi- tion following the recent order of the High Court of Meghalaya, Chyrmang said neither the district adminis- tration nor the MSPCB had the authority to cancel or halt the public hearing un- less specifically directed by the court.

“If the High Court had stopped us, we would have definitely complied with its direction. As there is no injunction or interim order staying the public hearing, we are bound to proceed as per the law,” Chyrmang said.

He urged all aggrieved parties to participate peace- fully in the hearing and place their objections, either orally or in writing.

Addressing concerns raised by groups opposing the project over land ownership and consent of landowners, Chyrmang said the public hearing would form only part of the environmental clear- ance process.

Referring to an office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, he said the draft EIA report remains open to modifica- tions and incorporation of suggestions received during the public hearing process.

“That is why, it is called a draft EIA. Suggestions and objections raised during the public hearing can be incor- porated into the final EIA report,” he said.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 21: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday rejected allegations that the government is attempting to push through the proposed Shree Cement limestone mining project at Lum Syrman in East Jaintia Hills district by force.

He told media persons that Friday’s public hearing itself reflected a transparent and consultative approach.

He said the purpose of the public hearing was to allow local residents and stakeholders to openly express their opinions on the project. According to him, opposing the hearing itself defeats the very objective of public consultation mandated under environmental regulations.

Tynsong stated that if the government had intended to impose the project forcibly, there would have been no public hearing process at all.

Stating that the administration has nothing to hide on the matter, he said the government remained open to dialogue whenever misunderstandings arise.

He stressed that objections should be raised through the official mechanism specifically created for hearing public concerns, pointing out that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board is legally required to conduct such hearings before projects of this nature can proceed further.

Urging groups opposing the project to participate in the hearing, he said it would provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to place their objections and suggestions. He said concerns relating to environmental and economic issues could be formally raised during the hearing.

He questioned the logic behind staging protests outside government offices when the designated platform for air-ing grievances was the public hearing itself. He said the government’s approach remained transparent and appealed to agitators not to misunderstand the procedures laid down under the law.

Row over Rs 1,900-crore contracts to BAC Infratech

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 21: The controversy surrounding the award of PHE projects worth nearly Rs 1,900 crore to Hyderabad-based BAC Infratech Pvt Ltd has intensified, with the Meghalaya PHE Contractors Association asserting that local contractors are fully competent to execute massive projects if the stringent tender conditions are relaxed.

The Association’s statement comes as the PHE Department faces sharp criticism for allegedly favouring outside firms, particularly BAC Infratech, which has secured a lion’s share of major water supply and infrastructure schemes across the state, including the escalated New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme and projects in multiple districts.

The Association clarified that it is not opposing the allotment of projects to outside companies but is strongly highlighting how the existing tender criteria effectively sideline local players.

“The terms and conditions require contractors to have a turnover of crores of rupees and prior work orders or experience equivalent to the tendered value. It is very difficult for local PHE contractors in Meghalaya to meet such capacity,” the Association said.

They added that they have already apprised the state government on the matter and urged it to distribute the remaining works of the New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme (Phase II) to local contractors according to their capacity.

The body also recalled that former officers in the PHE Department used to give opportunities to local contractors by allowing participation and allotting works as per their competence, resulting in efficient execution.

PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak has strongly defended the awards, stating that all projects were allotted through a transparent tendering process based on merit, technical eligibility, experience, and financial capacity.

“Local contractors with the required expertise are very few,” the minister noted, adding that there is “no scope for manipulation or favouritism” in the process.

The Association, however, maintains that while the state has to follow central guidelines, a more lenient and practical approach in tender conditions can empower local firms without compromising quality.