Shillong, Apr 13 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi will address a public rally at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex here today.

She will address a rally in support of party candidate Vincent H Pala and Deborah C Marak for the Shillong and Tura Parliamentary seats respectively.

The two Lok Sabha constituencies will go to polls in the first phase of election on April 16.

Security has been tightened in view of Sonia''s visit.

Around 1,500 armed police personnel have been pressed into service to avoid any kind of untoward incident.

Shillong, Apr 12 : Security has been tightened in Shillong in view of a shutdown call given by a rebel tribal group to protest against Congress party president Sonia Gandhi''s visit on Monday.

A 24-hour shutdown called by Khasi rebel group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) started at 6:00 a. m.

Around 1,500 armed police personnel have been pressed into service to avoid any kind of untoward incident ahead of her visit.

A team of Special Protection Group (SPG) met state police officials to review security arrangements.

Imphal, April 10 : People in Manipur fear that with political parties gearing up for the 15th Lok Sabha elections, militants are trying to vitiate the atmosphere and create a fear psychosis amongst political leaders and workers.

Suspected militants recently bombed the residence of Congress worker and the President of Imphal West District Jilla Prishad Soibam Subhaschandra at Ningombam village under Singjamei police station.

Though Subhaschandra was not at home at the time of blast, his wife Binodini sustained splinter injuries on her head.

Shillong, April 10 : Meningococcal meningitis has continued to claim lives in Meghalaya, even as the authorities plan to launch a massive vaccination programme.

The growing number of cases of patients affected by meningitis has become a cause for concern for the state health authorities.

Local authorities have plans to undertake the vaccination programme in phases here.

Shillong, Apr 1 : Traders from South East Asian countries are participating in the 10th International Trade Fair in Shillong.

Traders from several South East Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Egypt showcased a fabulous range of products at various stalls in the ten-day long fair.

The theme of the fair was ''connecting north east with the rest of the countries''. The fair will conclude on April 5.

Visitors thronged the venue to catch a glimpse of the world-class goods ranging from kitchen and other domestic appliances to toy and accessories.

Shillong, Mar 24 : The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Purno Sangma has postponed his proposed hunger strike against President's rule in Meghalaya.

Sangma withdrew his proposed hunger strike, which he wanted to undertake from Tuesday.

The East Khasi Hills District Administration had imposed Section 144 in the district in view of a protest march proposed by some political party and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to protest against the President's rule in state.