Meghalaya

Meghalaya Police have arrested two men in connection with an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that took place at a construction site in East Jaintia Hills earlier this month. The police said that the investigation is continuing and security measures have been stepped up in the area to prevent similar attacks. The blast happened around 12.15 am on December 15 at the campus of the Dhar construction company near Shymplong village. According to the police, the explosion damaged a water tanker truck parked inside the site. Forensic experts later confirmed that an IED had been used in the incident. No injury or loss of life was reported, but the explosion raised concerns about safety at construction sites in the district. Police officials identified the arrested men as Richard Suchen,...

Leadership of cricket administration in Meghalaya changed hands on December 21 with former state cabinet minister James PK Sangma elected asf president of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) following the Apex Council elections.The result places Sangma at the head of the association at a time when governance, infrastructure and grassroots development have emerged as key priorities for the sport in the state. He will be supported by vice-president Rajiv Bareh, while Rayonald Kharkamni returns to the Apex Council as honorary secretary. Mebanphira Swer has been elected honorary joint secretary, Eddystone Shylla as honorary treasurer, and Chuba R Marak as an Apex Council member.The newly constituted Apex Council reflects broad representation from different parts of Meghalaya, a factor ...

The Meghalaya government has made it mandatory to include Khasi and Garo in the curriculum for children up to Class-1, with the aim to simplify learning and strengthen exposure to local culture, officials said on Saturday. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the move seeks to build cultural identity from the foundational years. “Children must grow with confidence and a sense of belonging. Learning our own languages early helps that,” Sangma, who chaired a cabinet meeting on Friday, told reporters. Officials said the new textbooks will be introduced as an option in the upcoming academic year and will become compulsory from the following session, as many schools have already finalised their syllabi. The revised foundational-stage curriculum—from preschool to Class 1—will prioritise ea...

The Meghalaya government on Saturday said it has released funds across departments and paid one-month advance to about 80,000 employees and pensioners ahead of the Christmas festivities, an official said. About 50,000 employees and more than 30,000 pensioners have received advance payments, while casual and contractual workers were also extended advances, the official said. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who holds the Finance portfolio, extended Christmas and New Year greetings to citizens. According to officials, the government released ₹348.1 crore towards salaries, ₹93.4 crore for pensions, ₹9.7 crore for wages, and ₹4.1 crore for contractual workers.  In addition, ₹255.5 crore was released during the current financial year to the three Autonomous District Councils to clear bo...

Students at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tura campus, have raised concerns over administrative neglect and perceived corruption among the university's leadership. In response to a leadership dispute, the Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) and Garo Students’ Union (GSU) NEHU Tura Campus Cell issued a joint statement supportive of Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) Prof FK Marak, emphasizing her appointment was legally confirmed by the Executive Council in May 2025 under the NEHU Act of 1973. The unions have decided to prevent her resignation, citing her leadership as critical for maintaining stability at a campus that has lacked a PVC or recognized student representation for nearly four years. They criticized the Vice-Chancellor for appointing a "Campus Director" without following proper...

The Khasi Students' Union (KSU) on Thursday paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary Khasi poet U Soso Tham by unveiling a life-size statue of the literary icon in front of the Central Library at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), marking his 35th death anniversary. The solemn yet meaningful ceremony saw members of the KSU, students, family members of the late poet and several dignitaries gather to honour a man whose writings continue to shape Khasi identity and cultural consciousness. Floral tributes were offered at the newly unveiled statue as a mark of respect. The statue was unveiled by former KSU president and North Eastern Students’ Organisation (NESO) chairman Samuel Jyrwa, in the presence of KSU president Lambostarwell Marngar, vice-president Biangbor L. Paliar, and other offic...

At Hahim, located along the Assam–Meghalaya border in the Sabyasachi Rabha Coordination Area, the Rabha Students’ Union, Rabha Women’s Council, and the Sixth Schedule Demand Committee held their day-long biennial convention on Thursday. During the representative session held in the afternoon, the previous committees were dissolved and new committees were constituted, followed by oath-taking and assumption of responsibilities.The formation of the new committees for a two-year term was attended by several dignitaries, including Hiteshwar Rabha, Assistant Secretary of the All Rabha Students’ Union; Montu Rava and Namal Kumar Rabha, Vice Presidents of Kamrup District Rabha Students’ Union; Organising Secretary Ankur Rabha; Assistant General Secretary Jiten Rabha; Kalpanath Rabha, Vice Preside...

In a heartwarming gesture, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had breakfast with the conservancy workers of Shillong Municipal Board, adding to their festive joy ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. "A truly meaningful way to close the year, sharing breakfast with the unsung heroes of the Shillong Municipal Board. These remarkable women and men quietly care for our city, often unseen, yet always present," the Chief Minister said. "I remember travelling back home late one evening and saw them cleaning near Ward’s Lake. I stopped to meet them, and in that moment I realised how often we enjoy clean streets and surroundings without ever acknowledging the hands that make it possible. This was a very special early Christmas breakfast," he said. "As we celebrate Christma...

Meghalaya police arrested four Bangladeshi nationals for unlawfully entering India via the Dawki sector in West Jaintia Hills district on the intervening night of December 17-18, reports said. The arrests took place during a routine naka checking at Amlarem market junction around 12:30 am, after a team of police personnel stopped a speeding tourist vehicle (bearing registration number ML-04 D 9309) approaching from Dawki. The driver of the vehicle attempted to give the policemen a slip. However, the police team chased the vehicle before intercepting them at Amsarin. It was revealed after verification that four undocumented Bangladeshi nationals were inside the vehicle that was on its way to Assam. The vehicle was seized while the driver, Chemphang Rasmut (43) from Shkentalang village, ...