Meghalaya

The Assam Rifles on Sunday, December 14 successfully organised the 5th Edition of the Assam Rifles Half Marathon 2025 at the Headquarters of the Directorate General Assam Rifles (DGAR), Laitkor, in Shillong. Conducted as part of the Government of India’s “Fit India Movement,” the annual sporting event has steadily grown in scale and stature since its inception in 2021. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from across the country, with 3,038 runners representing 26 States and two Union Territories, underscoring the spirit of national integration and unity in diversity. Participants competed across various age groups amid the scenic and picturesque surroundings of the East Khasi Hills. The half marathon featured three race categories — Cloud Chase (21 km), Pine Path (10 km) and...

Amid internal strife within the United Democratic Party (UDP), Paul Lyngdoh, the party's working president and MLA for West Shillong, has publicly questioned the party's commitment to the democratic principles suggested by its name. He emphasized the necessity for inclusive political engagement, asserting that a democratic party must involve its grassroots members meaningfully in the decision-making process, rather than solely focusing on the input from elected officials such as MPs, MLAs, and MDCs. Lyngdoh criticized the trend of engaging grassroots workers only during election periods, arguing that their voices should continue to be relevant in discussions and decisions that occur outside of the electoral context. He called for fairness and consultative processes in all party de...

The second day of Winter Tales 2025 brought the iconic Wards Lake to life with a vibrant celebration of sustainability, storytelling, and intellectual exchange. The festival's theme, 'Nurture', took center stage as local craft, important dialogues, and the prestigious'Go Green Awards' converged to honor the custodians of the environment and culture. The Workshop Stage hosted a series of engaging sessions, including architect Mario Pathaw's insightful talk on transforming ordinary objects into expressive characters. The written word took center stage with book launches by MLCU Press, featuring Taptung Tangthu: Paite Folktales for Children, Rain U Slap, and Picnic and Pine Needles. Acclaimed photojournalist Pablo Bartholomew presented Father & Son, Richard and Pablo Bartholomew - Aff...

The Meghalaya government has begun handing over land pattas under long-term lease arrangements to eight localities in Tura Town, marking a major step towards resolving long-standing disputes over encroached government land. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the move addresses issues that have persisted for decades between residents and the General Administration Department (GAD). Several government properties and office spaces in Tura had been encroached upon over the years, leading to prolonged court cases, eviction notices and repeated law-and-order challenges. “Pleased to hand over land pattas through long-term leases to 8 localities,” Sangma said, describing the decision as a practical solution to a complex problem. The initiative follows a model implemented in Williamnagar two t...

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 17.91 crore in connection with a pan-India Ponzi scam run through the fraudulent investment website, officials said Friday. The attachment was carried out on December 10 by the ED's Shillong Sub-Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, which includes 13 immovable and seven movable properties, among them several luxury cars allegedly acquired using proceeds of crime. The money laundering probe stems from an FIR filed by the CID, Meghalaya Police, on the basis of a complaint from the RBI, Shillong, followed by a chargesheet under various IPC provisions against individuals involved in the scheme operated under the banner 'Pearlvine International'. According to the ED, Pearlvine Inter...

Meghalaya required around 90 minutes to remove the remaining four Nagaland batters and win their U-19 men's Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26 plate group match by a convincing 109 runs on the morning of the fourth and final day at the MCA Ground here. Resuming on 208/6 in search of 375 to win, Nagaland were all out for 265, with Meghalaya captain Angkit Tamang taking a five-for (5/45). To recap, Meghalaya had made 312 in their first innings before dismissing Nagaland for 165. The hosts were then out for 227 in their second innings yesterday. Angkit took three wickets, with the other falling to Mewankitbok Kharpuri (2/71). Apandanka Marak (2/33) and Gaurav Jyoti Thakuria (1/43) were wicket-takers yesterday. Praising the young Meghalayans for their second consecutive win was Meghalaya Cricket A...

In a remarkable milestone for Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday inaugurated the state’s first Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Pahamsyiem in Nongpoh constituency in Ri Bhoi district.The inaugural event also marked the commencement of academic sessions for the first batch of students enrolled in the institution. During the programme, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for two major projects in Pahamsyiem, which include the Synthetic Athletes Track at Chinchona Pahamsyiem, and the Convention Centre to be constructed by the state government. The event was attended by Education Minister Lakmen Rymbui; Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla; Community and Rural Development Minister Sosthenes Sohtun; Nongpoh MLA Mayral Born Syiem; Nongpoh MDC Rona Kh...

Meghalaya has ramped up air-quality surveillance in the industrial town of Byrnihat - flagged in recent assessments as one of the country’s most polluted towns - with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurating a Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS) in Ri-Bhoi district, officials said. Located along the Assam-Meghalaya border, Byrnihat has featured among India’s worst pollution hotspots in studies by IQAir and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, they said. The newly installed CAAQMS will provide real-time data on major air-quality indicators, helping authorities take timely corrective action and frame evidence-based policies, the officials said. At the MSPCB office in Shillong, the Chief Minister unveiled a Zero Liquid Discharge Effluent Treatment Plan...

Assam Rifles has announced its 5th Edition of Half-Marathon event to be held in Shillong on Sunday, 14th December 2025. This is Northeast Region's largest racing event. The 2025 edition of this event is expected to have record participation, given the ever-growing popularity of this event in Northeast and across the Nation. The Assam Rifies Half Marathon (ARHM) Shillong is expected to be graced by several dignitanes from the Government, Armed Forces and various walks of life. The avent is gaining populanty with every passing year. This edition is likely to feature more than 3000 runners competing in three different distance categories-5km, 10km and 21km-from the age of 12 to 60+ years. The runners from across the country will not only be able to showcase their endurance at the most pic...

The Meghalaya High Court has established stringent deadlines for the state government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) regarding the Shillong Airport expansion project, which has faced significant delays. A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Soumen Sen mandated the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner to finalize the acquisition of 11.75 acres of private land by January 10, 2026, and ordered the Transport Department to hand over this land to AAI by January 31, 2026, ensuring that the necessary funds are transferred within two weeks. Additionally, the Cabinet's approval for the purchase of 7.725 acres of substitute land has been noted, with instructions to expedite the land-exchange process. The court also required the removal of all obstacles along the airport’s flight path within...