Khasi Hills

More than 100 swimmers from across Meghalaya participated in the 19th Meghalaya State Swimming Championship 2026, highlighting the growing popularity of the sport and the emergence of young swimming talent in the state.Organised by the Meghalaya Swimming Association, the championship concluded after competitions across several age categories, with participants competing for top honours. Winners in different events were presented with gold, silver and bronze medals during the closing ceremony. Speaking at the event, P.B. War Nongbri, Assistant Director of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Meghalaya, said the steady increase in the number of participants reflects the growing interest in swimming across the state. He noted that the championship has become an important platform f...

Authorities in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district relaxed the curfew for three hours on Thursday morning after violence broke out in parts of the Garo Hills region over the nomination process for the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.The curfew, which had been imposed earlier under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), was relaxed from 8 am to 11 am to allow residents to step out and purchase essential commodities such as food, medicines and other daily necessities. Officials said the temporary relaxation was given to ease difficulties faced by local residents after the restrictions were put in place to control the law and order situation.East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner R P Marak said the administration decided to allow the lim...

The Meghalaya High Court has set aside a notification issued by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) that made Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates compulsory for candidates contesting the upcoming council elections.The court said the order could not stand because it did not follow the proper legal procedure required under existing rules. The notification had been issued by the Chief Executive Member of the council after a resolution adopted by its Executive Committee last month.Through the notification, the council had made it mandatory for all candidates to produce an ST certificate to contest the GHADC elections. The move effectively prevented non-tribal candidates from entering the electoral contest.The order was challenged before the High Court by a voter. The petitioner a...

The Garo National Council (GNC) has released its first list of seven candidates for the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), formally beginning its preparations for the polls scheduled in April. Party leaders said the early announcement is part of a strategy to strengthen the party’s organisational presence and prepare candidates well in advance of the election campaign. According to the party, Augustine R. Marak has been nominated from Silkigre, Nikman Ch. Marak from Rongrikimgre, Jakrak A. Sangma from Amongpara, Deson Marak from Dengnakpara, Geobar B. Marak from Asanang, Sengba D. Sangma from Rongrong, and Chibasai Lampard R. Marak from Williamnagar. These candidates will represent the party in their respective constituencies in the GHADC polls sc...

The number of people who lost their lives in the coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has increased to 27 after rescue teams recovered two more bodies from the accident site. Officials said search operations are still continuing as several workers are believed to be missing. The explosion occurred at an illegal coal mine located in the Thangskhu area of Umsngat village on Thursday, triggering a large-scale rescue effort involving multiple agencies. Teams from the police, disaster response forces, and local authorities have been working continuously at the site despite difficult terrain, unstable ground conditions, and safety risks inside the abandoned mining pits. Police officials said the latest bodies were found during an intensive search operation carried o...

The East Khasi Hills Police have launched an investigation into the mysterious death of Bipul Inghi, a security guard employed at the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), who reportedly died following an incident on the university campus earlier this month. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said on Monday that the police received information about the incident a few days after Inghi’s death, both from the Ri-Bhoi Police and the deceased’s family members. An FIR has since been lodged by the family at Mawlai Police Station. According to the police, Inghi allegedly sustained injuries after a fall inside the NEHU campus at around 7:30 pm on January 6. He was later taken to Supercare Hospital in Shillong, where he succumbed to his injuries on January 8. Syiem stated that t...

Police in Southwest Garo Hills recovered a huge cache of ammunition during a search operation conducted near Santore village on Monday. Acting on reliable source information, a joint team from Salmanpara and Ampati Police Stations carried out the operation in a bamboo grove under the jurisdiction of Salmanpara Police Station. During the search, police unearthed 55 suspected live anti-aircraft ammunition buried in the area. According to a statement issued to the media by the Superintendent of Police, Southwest Garo Hills, Ampati, Vikash Varma, the recovered ammunition was seized on the spot in the presence of independent witnesses, following all prescribed legal procedures. Police said further investigation was initiated to ascertain the source of the ammunition and to identify those invol...