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Ruling NPP leader in Meghalaya named in murder attempt of Meghalaya women’s rights activists
Shillong, Nov 24 (IANS) A senior leader of the ruling National People’s Party in Meghalaya has been accused of involvement in the murderous attack on frontline women’s rights activist Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma, fighting against illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state, an official said on Saturday.
The opposition Congress said the Conrad Sangma-led government should institute an “independent probe” since a high-profile member of the ruling party has been accused of leading the attacks on the two activists.
In a letter to Director General of Police R Chandranathan, Amita Sangma has accused Nidamon Chullet, the working president of NPP East Jaintia Hills district, and others, who assaulted and attempted to murder her and Kharshiing, including their driver E Kurbah, on November 8 at Tuber Sohshrieh area in East Jaintia Hills district.
Amita also demanded immediate arrest of Chullet, who is also the president of Jaintia Hills Truck Owners Association, and his aides.
“I appeal to your office to take swift action as it is learnt that Chullet and others who led the attacks belong to the ruling party in the state,” she noted.
When IANS contacted NPP Meghalaya State President Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi for his reaction on the allegation, he refused to comment and said that “Home Minister (James Sangma) will speak on the matter.”
However, neither the state Home Minister nor the police chief was available on the phone.
“The opposition has been cautioning the government about illegal mining and transportation of coal, besides the alleged nexus among political leaders, police and the coal mafia. But the Chief Minister is in a denial mode,” Congress spokesperson Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang told IANS.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had said he will consult his cabinet colleagues whether the murder attempt on Kharshiing warrants a judicial or a CBI probe.
On Friday, Meghalaya police arrested Showmewell B. Kyndait, one of the prime accused in the murder attempt from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Assam.
Seven people, including a 44-year-old woman Skhemlang Dkhar on Wednesday from Jowai, the district headquarters of West Jaintia Hills have been arrested.
Kharshiing along with Amita were brutally assaulted by a group of people after the activist lodged a complaint on illegal mining and transportation of coal in the district.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.