Meghalaya

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Indian Army, Gen. Upendra Dwivedi conferred the COAS Unit Certificate of Appreciation on the Zonal Recruiting Office (ZRO) Shillong, in recognition of the unit’s outstanding achievements in recruitment of youths of Northeast region to serve the nation. The honour was conferred during the Army Investiture Ceremony held in Jaipur on January 14-15. The award was received by Brig. Rajeev Kumar, Deputy Director General (DDG) Recruiting, Northeastern States; and Subedar Major Milkha Singh of ZRO Shillong, a statement issued by the PRO Defence here on Thursday stated. Notably, ZRO, Shillong through meticulous planning of outreach activities ensured motivation of youth in the remotest districts, achieving 64 percent increase in registration of youth for joining the a...

Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla confirmed the Tura Medical College will be government-run, scrapping the earlier PPP plan. "We've decided it'll be a government medical college, dropping the PPP mode," Shylla told reporters on Wednesday. The decision follows public demand for a government-run college. Recruiting faculty is a challenge, he said, due to a shortage of doctors willing to teach. "The challenge is with faculties… we're pushing for it, but it depends on the number of faculty we get," he added.

Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) member from Saphai Rikut N Parien and two others have filed a complaint against the collection of tax at the Pasyih Toll Plaza on NH 6 in West Jaintia Hills. The complaint submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on Wednesday alleges that vehicles from Laskein C&RD Block and 8th Mile (Phramer) are forced to pay tax despite traveling only about 4/5 km. The memorandum states the tax is unjustified as West Jaintia Hills vehicles (ML-04 registration) pay the same amount as those traveling to East Jaintia Hills or other Meghalaya states. “The said tax is unjustified as we are forced to pay the same amount as those vehicles traveling to East Jaintia Hills and neighbouring States of Meghalaya,” the complaint reads. A January 6, 2023 meeting...

A fire broke out at Shillong Engineering College on Thursday, damaging parts of the newly constructed campus at Mawlai Kynton Massar, Shillong. According to preliminary information, the fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. The blaze reportedly started in a room used to store sports equipment, from where it spread to nearby areas. Upon receiving information about the incident, fire tenders rushed to the spot and managed to bring the fire under control before it could spread to other rooms and cause further damage. No injuries have been reported so far. Further details regarding the extent of the damage are awaited.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla expressed confidence that Meghalaya is on schedule to host the National Games, with infrastructure work progressing as planned. “I went for an inspection this morning and saw that the work is progressing and we are still on schedule. We should be able to complete it before the National Games,” Shylla told reporters on Wednesday. When asked about the participation of other states, Shylla said they are awaiting written confirmation. “Verbally, we have discussed this in the last meeting… they have accepted, but we are yet to receive it in writing,” he added. Regarding the funds, Shylla said it’s too early to give an exact figure. “This National Games is not only for sports, it’s for the whole state of Meghalaya, so it’s an inter-depar...

A prohibitory order has been issued by the Eastern West Khasi Hills district administration in Meghalaya to stop illegal immigration and fish transit from Bangladesh via highways, marketplaces, riverine channels, and border routes. In accordance with Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, A. Kharpor, the District Magistrate of Eastern West Khasi Hills, has prohibited the sale, distribution, transportation, and storage of fish that are unlawfully imported from Bangladesh without proper documentation. It has also become forbidden to assist or facilitate the unlawful trade, as well as to employ any kind of vehicle, vessel, or other means for such purposes.Additionally, the order issued a severe warning that offenders will be subject to punishment under Section 22...

In an important scientific finding, researchers have discovered a rare species of woolly bat in Meghalaya, marking the first confirmed record of this bat in India. The species, known as Titania’s woolly bat, had never before been officially recorded within Indian territory. The discovery was made in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya and has expanded the known range of this bat by nearly 500 kilometres towards the west. With this finding, India’s total number of recorded bat species has now increased to 137. Scientists say the discovery once again highlights how much of Northeast India’s wildlife remains unexplored. The finding has been reported in a recent research paper published in the scientific journal Animal Taxonomy and Ecology. The study was carried out by a team of researchers inclu...

The Meghalaya government has ordered the testing of fish sold in markets across the state following reports of heavy metal contamination in fish consignments originating from neighbouring Assam, officials said on Tuesday. Health and food safety authorities in Meghalaya took the step after receiving inputs that certain fish supplied from Assam were found to contain lead and other heavy metals beyond permissible limits. Most of the fish consumed in Meghalaya is brought in from Assam, making the issue a matter of concern for public health. A senior food safety official said Food Safety Officers have been instructed to begin sample collection from wholesale fish hubs, retail markets and key entry points into the state. The samples will be sent to authorised laboratories for detailed examin...

The Meghalaya Congress has called for an independent probe into the alleged murder of ACHIK member Dilseng Sangma, who was killed at Rajabala in West Garo Hills district. State Congress Working President Deborah Marak criticised the state government and the district administration, alleging serious lapses in maintaining law and order. She also questioned the legality of the stone quarry where the attack on ACHIK members occurred on January 9 and demanded immediate clarification from the authorities. Describing the incident as alarming, Marak said the failure to prevent such violence reflects negligence on the part of the district administration. She maintained that the government and the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills must be held accountable for the incident. The Co...

Meghalaya’s rich natural heritage has received a fresh scientific boost with the discovery of a rare flowering plant species, Hypericum benghalense, in the outskirts of Shillong. The finding marks the first-ever recorded presence of this species in Meghalaya, extending its known distribution in India and underscoring the state’s importance as a biodiversity hotspot. The discovery was made during a routine botanical field visit at Lumpyngngad Motinagar in the East Khasi Hills, where scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) collected unusual plant specimens growing at an elevation of over 1,600 metres. After detailed examination and verification with national herbaria and historical botanical literature, the plant was confirmed as Hypericum benghalense—a species earlier believ...