Meghalaya

In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Meghalaya government has directed security agencies to increase vigilance along its 443-km-long international border with Bangladesh. This move aims to bolster security following the heightened threat of cross-border terrorism. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who is currently in New Delhi en route to the Vatican for Pope Francis's funeral, is closely monitoring the state's security situation. While condemning the heinous Pahalgam attack, he has emphasized the need for enhanced coordination between state security forces and the Border Security Force (BSF) to safeguard the international border. A senior official from the home department confirmed that Sangma has instructed Nongrang to maintain close coordinat...

A team of researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, has recently discovered four spider species from Northeast India—two of which are new to science, and two reported for the first time from the country. These discoveries unveil the region’s rich yet underexplored arachnid diversity and highlight the importance of continued biodiversity research in one of the world’s most critical ecological hotspots. The newly described species include Psechrus chizami, discovered in Nagaland, and Psechrus nathanael, found in both Nagaland and Meghalaya. Psechrus chizami is named after its type locality, Chizami, while Psechrus nathanael is named in honour of Nathanael PA Newmai for his steadfast support during fieldwork. With these additions, the number of known Psechrus spec...

A city resident was arrested on Thursday for making anti-national comments on a video of a private news channel from Assam in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem confirmed that one Simon Shylla (30), a resident of Umlyngka, had posted anti-national comments on a video aired by a news channel from Assam about the Pahalgam terror attack, using his Facebook account “Man Shylla”. Shylla had supported the terrorists in their killings and exhorted the terrorists to initiate such attacks on a particular community in the North East, the SP said, adding that he was threatening the unity and integrity of the country. After ascertaining his identity, police arrested Shylla from his residence at Umlyngka and seized two mobile phones...

A team from the Mandya District Child Protection Unit in Karnataka on Wednesday handed over 22 children from Meghalaya to the state’s Social Welfare Department. These children were studying at the Gokula Educational Trust in Bengaluru. During the celebration of Holi at the institute on March 16, several students were taken ill due to food poisoning and hospitalised. Later, two from Meghalaya – 12-year-old Namebantei Marwein from Sohparu in West Khasi Hills and a Class VII student Khrehlang Khongtani – died. The formal handover of the 22 children took place at an event held at the conference hall of the Directorate of Social Welfare. The event was attended by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Chairperson Agatha K Sangma, Social...

The Meghalaya government has intensified security measures along the international border with Bangladesh following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which resulted in the death of 25 tourists and a local resident.Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh stated that the government is maintaining heightened vigilance along the border and is in regular contact with the Border Security Force (BSF). Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is closely monitoring the security situation, Lyngdoh said while adding that he had met with Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang to discuss further strengthening of the security framework. The government is taking steps to reinforce the police force by filling up around 3,000 existing vacancies and coordinating with central forces, particularly...

A major fire broke out at the SOS Children’s Village near Lad Umsaw in Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district late Tuesday night, destroying nearly 80 per cent of a wooden residential building within the complex. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries, as the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) responded swiftly, successfully containing the flames before they could spread to adjacent structures. According to Ri Bhoi Police, the blaze is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit in the 25-year-old wooden building. “There is no evidence of foul play at this stage,” police officials stated, following a preliminary investigation. The building served as one of several homes for children housed at the SOS Village, an organisation dedicated to providing family-based car...

A tribal rights organization in Meghalaya has demanded the appointment of a member from the Garo community as the next Chairman of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC), warning of statewide protests if their demand is not met. The A’chik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) petitioned Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, insisting that the appointment follow the established rotational principle between the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo communities. "We strongly demand that the next Chairman be appointed from the Garo category," the petition stated, stressing that ignoring this request would lead to protests and possible legal action. The Garo community cites the Meghalaya State Reservation Policy of 1972, which ensures 40% reservation for both the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo communit...