Assam Meghalaya Imphal, October 29, 2023: Several betel leaves in bamboo baskets imported into Manipur from Assam via Mizoram were taken away by the male village volunteers and destroyed these items in a fire by the Meira Paibis (women vigilante groups) at Moirang Lamkhai in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Saturday night, official sources said. As many as 10 baskets of betel leaves in bamboo baskets were reportedly transported by one alleged smuggler namely Md Abdul Khalip, 34, from Silchar (Assam) via Aizawl (Mizoram). The betel leaves were to be transported to Imphal via Aizawl, Churachandpur, and Kwakta village on Saturday. After receiving a piece of information that Md Abdul Khalip, a resident of Kwakta village, Bishnupur district of Manipur was engaged in the transportation of betel leaves, the village volunteers waylaid the transportation. They confiscated the imported items and then handed them over to the women vigilante groups. Since then, the Meira Paibis of Bishnpur district set the betel leaves in bamboo baskets on the bonfire and destroyed them in the presence of media men at around 11 p.m. on Saturday. A leader of the Meira Paibis, Geeta Devi appealed to the people especially the Muslims (Manipuri) and the Kukis not to indulge in the transportation of such items against the backdrop of the ongoing communal violence in the state. Betel leaves are mostly consumed in Manipur and by some emigrants. They are consumed as betel quid or in paan. The betel plant is an evergreen perennial with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkin. The demand for betel leaves is very high in Manipur.
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Shillong: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) has expressed surprise at Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla’s recent comments concerning the Government’s plans to implement railway projects in East Jaiñtia Hills, Meghalaya.

CEC Sambormi Lyngdoh, the President of JNC, conveyed their astonishment in response.

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This reaction came after Shylla’s earlier statement in which he suggested that it was premature to pass judgment on the railway project and encouraged people to acquire a basic understanding of it. The council found it quite astonishing that a cabinet minister seemed unaware of whether the railway projects were intended for freight or public transportation.

In the preceding months, the council had already held meetings with the minister, clearly expressing their strong opposition to the railway projects.

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In response, the minister stated that he couldn’t provide any assurances as he hadn’t received comprehensive information about the railway projects.

The council also noted with surprise that when it came to the railway, everyone seemed eager to voice their opinions, but unfortunately, none of the ministers showed the same enthusiasm when addressing critical issues related to the development of East Jaiñtia Hills.

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The council added that the government should prioritize establishing a Government College, and residential schools, addressing unemployment, and improving road infrastructure, as these were the most urgent concerns for the residents.

Furthermore, the council announced its intention to conduct an awareness program in the upcoming days across the district.

This program aims to engage with the public regarding the railway projects and their potential impact on development.