Sunday, March 15

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Ban on Non-Tribal Candidates in GHADC Polls Stands Unless Challenged in Court, Says Prestone Tynsong
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Ban on Non-Tribal Candidates in GHADC Polls Stands Unless Challenged in Court, Says Prestone Tynsong

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H Pala has said that the notification issued by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) making it mandatory for candidates contesting the council elections to produce a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate would remain valid unless it is legally challenged. “The order will continue to remain in force till any legal challenge is raised,” Pala said. The High Court of Meghalaya on Friday admitted a PIL against the participation of non-tribals in the GHADC elections. It may be noted that the notification issued by the GHADC on February 17 bars non-tribal individuals from contesting the April 10 elections to the council by making it mandatory for candidates to possess an ST certificate. While several Garo tribal organizati...
Opposition MLA Slams Speaker’s Decision to Disallow Mine Blast Discussion
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Opposition MLA Slams Speaker’s Decision to Disallow Mine Blast Discussion

Voice of People Party (VPP) legislator Brightstarwell Marbaniang expressed significant disappointment in the Meghalaya Assembly regarding Speaker Thomas A. Sangma’s decision to reject a proposed short-duration discussion on the illegal coal mine explosion in the Mynsngat-Thangsko area, which has resulted in 33 fatalities. Marbaniang raised a point of order under Rule 282 to emphasize the discussion's urgency concerning enforcement failures and the lack of accountability following the tragic loss of life. He clarified that the motion was not politically motivated; instead, it sought to address governance and regulatory failures without interfering with the judicial process concerning individual criminal liability. The legislator underscored that treating administrative lapses connec...
Meghalaya hosts Yuva Aapda Mitra training to strengthen disaster response
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Meghalaya hosts Yuva Aapda Mitra training to strengthen disaster response

The State Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority on Thursday conducted the Yuva Aapda Mitra Volunteers Training Programme for students at Ri Bhoi College, at Nongpoh in Meghalaya. The training programme will be held over a period of seven days and marks the third phase of the Yuva Aapda Mitra Volunteers Training Programme in Ri Bhoi district.During the training, volunteers will be equipped with essential skills and knowledge on how to provide safety measures, assistance, and support to the public during natural calamities such as earthquakes, house collapses, floods, and other disasters. The inaugural session of the programme was attended by Assistant Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, Akash R. Marak; Assistant Deputy Controller of C...
HYC warns against legal ambiguity on ILP issue
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HYC warns against legal ambiguity on ILP issue

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has strongly condemned Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s statement on incorporating ‘ILP-like provisions’ in the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.The Council described the remark as a calculated political diversion intended to weaken and delay Meghalaya’s long-standing demand for a full-fledged Inner Line Permit (ILP).In a statement issued on Wednesday, the HYC said the people of the state could not be misled by vague terminology and legal ambiguities, asserting that “ILP-like” provisions were not equivalent to an ILP.The Council said that any legislation which does not grant Meghalaya absolute authority to regulate the entry, stay, employment, trade and settlement of non-indigenous persons amounted to a betrayal of indigenous secur...
Meghalaya Security Forces Deny Bangladesh Allegation Over Entry of Hadi’s Killers
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Meghalaya Security Forces Deny Bangladesh Allegation Over Entry of Hadi’s Killers

Security agencies in Meghalaya have refuted statements made by the Bangladesh Police, which claimed that the killers of Sharif Osman Hadi, the leader of Inquilab Moncho, had escaped from Bangladesh and entered Meghalaya. Inspector General O.P. Opadhyay of the Border Security Force (BSF) stated that there is no evidence of illegal cross-border movement, calling the claims "unfounded and misleading." He emphasized that the BSF has not detected or received reports of such incidents. Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 during an electoral campaign in Dhaka and was subsequently airlifted to Singapore for treatment, where he died from his injuries on December 18. In a related development, a senior officer from Dhaka Metropolitan Police suggested that two suspects in Had...
Airbnb launches backstage experiences for Lollapalooza India 2026
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Airbnb launches backstage experiences for Lollapalooza India 2026

As part of its first-ever global live music partnership, Airbnb is introducing one-of-a-kind Experiences at Lollapalooza India 2026, set to take place in Mumbai on January 24 and 25 at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, to bring guests closer to the music they love. This marks an exciting new chapter for Airbnb in India, reinforcing its commitment to connecting people through travel, culture, and creativity. From backstage tours and artist-led creative sessions to behind-the-scenes access guided by a Lollapalooza India Insider, each Experience offers an unforgettable glimpse into the world behind one of India’s most anticipated music festivals. “Live music and travel have always gone hand in hand - people don’t just attend festivals, they explore the cities that host them and create moments of c...
KSU Slams Meghalaya Govt Over Lack of Clarity on ILP Implementation
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KSU Slams Meghalaya Govt Over Lack of Clarity on ILP Implementation

Lack of clarity regarding the Inner Line Permit (ILP) implementation in Meghalaya has frustrated the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), as nearly six years have passed since the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly unanimously requested the central government to extend the ILP system to the state. KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar expressed concerns about the ongoing delay, questioning whether it stems from a lack of seriousness on the part of the state government or the central government's unwillingness to act. Despite attempts by the KSU to engage in discussions with central ministers, no progress has been made. Marngar pointed to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), which has been active since 2016, and criticized the state government for not clarifying measures take...
Need Written Assurance From Govt On Steps Against Influx: KSU
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Need Written Assurance From Govt On Steps Against Influx: KSU

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has sought a written assurance from the NPP-led Meghalaya government on the measures taken to prevent infiltration and safeguard the identity and land rights of the state’s indigenous people. “The union cannot rely on verbal statements. We want to see a concrete plan and are relying on the Chief Minister to come out with a firm, documented proposal on laws meant to safeguard indigenous identity, ownership of land and to prevent illegal immigration into the state,” KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah said. Thabah said the state government had earlier informed the students union that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) would be amended or strengthened with additional clauses to tackle influx. “Now we expect the government to deliver ...
Musk teases Tesla Roadster demo by year-end!
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Musk teases Tesla Roadster demo by year-end!

Eight years ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled plans for a next-generation Roadster, naming it after the company’s first electric vehicle from 2008. Despite years of anticipation, the updated model has not yet entered production. Musk, however, reaffirmed in a recent conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan that a new Roadster is still on the horizon. While he did not reveal technical or design specifics, Musk hinted that the unveiling could be “the most memorable product reveal ever” and said Tesla hopes to present it to fans and investors “hopefully before the end of the year.” Musk’s comments followed a post by former friend Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, who tried to cancel his 2018 Roadster reservation and reclaim his deposit, sharing a screenshot of a bounced email. Altman expressed frustra...
SEBI chief says ‘cannot just shut down weekly F&O expiries’
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SEBI chief says ‘cannot just shut down weekly F&O expiries’

BSE shares recovered from early losses on October 31 after SEBI chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated that weekly futures and options (F&O) expiries cannot be abruptly shut down, as many market participants rely on them. Earlier in the day, BSE shares had dropped 4% following Pandey’s announcement that the regulator would implement changes to F&O trading in a phased manner. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Pandey mentioned that SEBI is currently gathering data on F&O activity. BSE shares eventually closed 1.5% lower at Rs 2,480 apiece. Reports have indicated that SEBI is considering removing weekly F&O expiries to curb speculation and strengthen cash market trading, with investor participation now extending beyond major metro cities. Pandey described weekly F&O expiries...