Bengaluru: Khasi Students’ Union urges Meghalaya government to expedite state house project
Bengaluru: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Bengaluru Unit, has highlighted the persistent challenges faced by students and working professionals from Meghalaya residing in Karnataka’s capital. The Union has urged the Meghalaya government to expedite the establishment of a Meghalaya House in Bengaluru to address these issues.
Speaking to Vartha Bharathi, Donboklang Nongphud, President of the KSU Bengaluru Unit, expressed concern over the prolonged delay. “They are still in the process of establishing the state house in Karnataka. They [the Meghalaya government] said they would update us, but there has been no update yet,” he said.
According to Meghalaya based news portal Syllad, the state government has decided to purchase a building worth ₹20 crore in Bengaluru to serve as a Meghalaya guest house for students and visitors from the state. Cabinet Minister and Government Spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh, following a cabinet meeting on March 26, 2025, informed that the proposed building would house two dormitories, accommodating 50 boys and 50 girls.
Despite this, Nongphud stated that there has been no official communication regarding the procurement of any building.
A report by The Highland Post noted that the Meghalaya government had begun identifying land for a state house in Bengaluru as early as February 2024, with the General Administration Department (GAD) issuing an Expression of Interest (EOI) to purchase land in Bengaluru Urban District. However, no concrete progress has been seen even a year later.
When asked about the Union’s future course of action if the delay continues, Nongphud said they are awaiting updates from the General Secretary. “If we don’t get any information, I will personally meet the minister again along with KSU CEC. This will be my third visit regarding this matter,” he added.
Speaking about the timeline of the demand, Nongphud noted that the former KSU Bengaluru Unit President Ramphang Nongsiej and General Secretary Amous Syiemlieh had approached then BJP state chief Shibun Lyngdoh in 2017, urging him to take up the matter with the then Congress government. “The Congress government had promised to build the house, but nothing happened. Then COVID hit,” he said.
He added that in 2022, he met GAD officials who shared a letter addressed to the Karnataka government, showing interest in establishing a Meghalaya House in the state. However, they were awaiting a response from Karnataka.
“We should have a proper Meghalaya House in Bengaluru. Currently, we, students and volunteers, assist people from our state. If there were an official Meghalaya House, state officials could better handle issues faced by our people in Karnataka,” he said.
At the same time, Iohborlang, a civil engineer residing in Bengaluru, echoed the demand. “Many students from our state live here. A Meghalaya House would assure our parents that help is nearby in case of emergencies,” he said.
Joystar Lyngkhoi, a working professional, added, “People come here for education and jobs. A Meghalaya House would provide affordable accommodation and crucial support.”
“Mostly people face problems travelling and finding places. I urge the government to speed up the process,” Lyngkhoi said.
”It is under-process…”
When Vartha Bharathi approached the General Administration Department of the Meghalaya government, an official stated that the project was “under process” and expected to be completed by the end of the year.
However, when asked whether the government would acquire an existing building or construct a new one, the staffer responded, “I have no idea.”
Regulation of education agents demanded
Nongphud also revealed troubling instances of fraud by education agents in Bengaluru. “Agents lure students with false promises of quality education, accommodation, internships, and placements. But the reality is disappointing,” he said.
"They advertise it as being very good, but in reality, it is not. Mostly, nursing students face such issues here. We have received many complaints about these problems. After arriving here, students often find that the college building is in poor condition, no proper hostel facilities etc..,” he added.
He cited a 2013 case where students were made to sleep in classrooms due to lack of hostels. “Even today, most students from Meghalaya take admission through such agencies. We issued a press release warning students about fraud agents,” he added.
He also mentioned job scams where people from Meghalaya are promised decent salaries and accommodation but are left stranded when the alleged employer vanishes. “One was promised ₹15,000–₹20,000, but after arriving here, the employer stopped responding,” he said.
"Everyone should make at least a small effort to learn Kannada to communicate locally"
Nongphud emphasized the need for people from the Northeast to learn Kannada. “I’ve been here since 6th standard. I speak Kannada well and encourage others from our state to learn it too. It helps with communication and local integration,” he said.
He added that Khasi students who don’t speak Kannada often face difficulties, especially when dealing with the police. “If we don’t speak Kannada, the police don’t take our complaints seriously. Sometimes, we are treated as outsiders,” he explained.
“Many people from other states come here, but according to me everybody should put at least a small effort to learn Kannada to communicate locally,” Don stated.
We face discrimination everytime
"Whenever we look for accommodation in the city, property owners treat us differently and often discriminate against us. Many of them refer to us as ‘Chinese’ simply because we are from the Northeast," said Nongphud.
He further alleged that during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals from the community were deliberately targeted and subjected to increased hostility.
KSU demands helpline with Khasi language support
The KSU President also urged the Karnataka government to launch a dedicated helpline for Northeast residents, with support in Khasi and other NE languages. “It will be a vital support system during emergencies,” he said.
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ED arrests Sandeepa Virk, 'cosmetologist' for alleged money laundering
New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate said on Wednesday it has arrested a woman, who claims to be an actor and a cosmetologist, under the anti-money laundering law in a case of alleged fraud and misrepresentation.
The agency said the purported links of the woman, Sandeepa Virk, with a Reliance Group executive, Angarai Natarajan Sethuraman (President, Corporate Affairs), are also under its scanner. Sethuraman, in a statement, denied any connection with Virk or any transactions related to her.
Virk was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Tuesday after searches were conducted against her and her associates in Delhi and Mumbai over the last two days.
A special court sent her to the ED's custody till August 14, the agency said. The woman claims to be the owner of a skin care products selling website named hyboocare.com, which the ED claimed was a "front" for money laundering.
She and her associates are being probed for allegedly exerting undue influence through "misrepresentation" and "defrauding" individuals by soliciting money under false pretences.
According to an Instagram ID of Virk, she is an actor and entrepreneur and the founder of the said website.
The federal agency said in a statement that the woman was also "in touch with" Sethuraman, former director of erstwhile Reliance Capital Limited.
She was communicating with him regarding "illegal liaisoning", the ED claimed, adding that the searches at Sethuraman's residence "confirmed" these allegations.
"Besides, diversion of funds for personal benefit has also been unearthed during the course of the search action," it said.
The ED alleged that public money worth about Rs 18 crore belonging to Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL) was disbursed to Sethuraman in 2018 by "flouting" prudent lending norms.
The funds were lent under terms that allowed a deferment of the principal amount as well as the interest, with multiple waivers granted and no due diligence conducted, it said.
The ED claimed that besides this, a home loan of Rs 22 crore was provided by Reliance Capital Limited by "violating" the prudential norms. "A large part of these loans are seen to have been eventually siphoned off and remained unpaid," it alleged.
Sethuraman, in a statement, dismissed the allegations as "baseless". He denied any connection with Virk or any transactions related to her.
Detailing about Virk's web portal, the agency said it purportedly sold FDA-approved beauty products. However, the ED said the products listed on the website have been found to be non-existent and the portal lacks a user registration option and is plagued by persistent payment gateway issues.
A scrutiny of the website uncovered minimal social-media engagement, an inactive WhatsApp contact number and an absence of transparent organisational details, all of which reinforce the finding of "non-genuine" commercial activity, the ED claimed.
"These factors, including limited product range, inflated pricing, false claims of FDA approval and technical inconsistencies, indicate that the website serves as a front for laundering funds," it said.
Another social media-hosted bio data of the woman said she is a certified cosmetologist.
The ED said several "incriminating" documents were seized during the searches and the statement of a man named Farrukh Ali, stated to be an associate of Virk, was recorded.
The money-laundering case stems from an FIR lodged by the Punjab Police.
Sethuraman said that the home loan he received from Reliance Capital was granted following due process and was secured by the property offered as collateral.
