73rd Independence Day Celebrated in Meghalaya

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: Along with the rest of the country, Meghalaya, on Thursday celebrated the 73rd Independence Day across the State. In the State capital Shillong, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of 26 Parade Contingents of 58GTC, BSF, CRPF, MLP, SF10, Assam Police, Meghalaya Police Training School, NCC boys and Girls, Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides, Meghalaya Red Cross Society, St.Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Little Flower Secondary School, Pine Mount School, Holy Cross School, Gorkha Patshala Secondary School, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Lakreh Memorial School, Christian Academy School, Meghalaya Police Public School boys and girls, St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Horse contingent of Assam Rifles Higher Secondary School and combined brass and pipe bands of Border Wing Home Guards, BSF and Assam Rifles.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister awarded the Meghalaya Police K-9 Unit with the Medal of Honour and Appreciation Certificate for helping law enforcement agencies in detection of explosives, narcotics and crime scene tracking. The K-9 Unit led by Inspector Sagar Sharma along with Narcotics Sniffer Canines were extensively used by Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), East Khasi Hills District for conducting raids and detection of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in and around Shillong city, in recent operation against drugs. The team with the help of their canines has successfully detected narcotic drugs on a number of occasions.

The canines and team members are Narcotic sniffer dog ‘Brandy’ handled by Constable Kynshai Pillar Lyngdoh and Constable Reggienald Dkhar, Narcotic sniffer dog ‘Remor’ handled by Constable Kamal Sharma and Constable Romel Sohtun and Narcotic sniffer dog ‘Saffi’ handled by Constable Clever G. Momin. The Chief Minister also distributed trophies to the winners of March Past who took part in the Independence Day celebration to Pine Mount School, Loreto Convent School and St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School who bagged the first, second and third prize respectively.

During the occasion a Coffee Table Book titled “Meghalaya Close to the Heart” on Dance Music and Musical Instruments of Meghalaya was also released by the Chief Minister. The names of President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service to Addison Roy Mawthoh, IPS, Dy.IGP (Trg) and Seminar Singh Kynjing, IPS, DyIGP (A), Police Medal for Meritorious to Julie Nongkhlaw, Inspector and Augustine Lyngdoh, Armed Branch Constable, Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to Charlesstar Thabah, Fireman and Lalan Roy, Driver and Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation to Ibashisha Kharpran, Sub Inspector were announced on the occasion.

Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals for Meritorious Service to Lambert Marbaniang, Inspector and Kholendro D. Sangma, Havildar were also announced on the occasion. The other highlights of the day include cultural programmes, Independence Day Run, free cinema shows, fishing competition at Ward’s Lake, distribution of food packages by NGOs, variety show, music, dance, food court, vintage car rally among others.

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