Meghalaya

An abandoned bag at Police Bazar (Khandai Lad) created panic among the public in Shillong city on Monday, forcing police to cordon-off the area, bringing traffic to a complete halt. However, the police and bomb squad, who reached the spot on time, found that the bag was empty and had nothing inside it, a case similar to other instances at Polo and Nongrim Hills recently. Vehicles plying to Police Bazar where stopped near DC office for about 30 minutes, causing temporary panic among the public.

The town of Tura in Meghalaya roared with excitement as the 10th edition of Bilgaro–X, the region’s premier four-wheel stage rally and autocross competition, wrapped up its 2025 edition at Green Haven, Walbakgre. Organised by the Tura Motor Sports Club (TMSC), the three-day event from November 20 to 22 brought together some of the finest rally drivers from across the Northeast, making it one of the most gripping motorsport spectacles the region has witnessed. This year’s edition was extra special as it also hosted the North East Championship Finals 2024–25, adding prestige and intense competition to the already high-voltage event. The Prize Distribution Ceremony drew a distinguished gathering, with Mahendraganj MLA and Chief Advisor to the Excise Department, Sanjay A. Sangma, attending as...

On November 23 evening, police received reliable information that one Pynshngain Kharkongor of Lumdeingmet, Umpling, Shillong was about to deliver drugs to a customer at Umpling Lumdeingmet. Pynshngain Kharkongor was spotted at Umpling Lumdeingmet in his Swift Dzire vehicle(white colour) bearing Reg. no. ML 05 R 9778. Upon arrival of witnesses the vehicle was searched as per procedure and two soap case boxes of contraband(heroin) was recovered from the vehicle. Preliminary test of the contraband gave positive result of heroin and the total weight of the contraband was found to be 22.83 grams. The accused Pynshngain Kharkongar was subsequently apprehended for further necessary action at Rynjah PS.The Contraband and the vehicle has been siezed and an NDPS Case is being registered in this...

Shillong witnessed a spectacular display of cultural pride today as thousands of people from across Meghalaya including people of all age groups gathered to celebrate the annual Seng Kut Snem festival, honouring the rich indigenous faith and heritage of the Khasi community. The colourful procession began from the Fire Brigade Ground, drawing massive crowds dressed in traditional Khasi attire. Men, women, and youth marched in harmony, carrying flags, singing traditional hymns, and showcasing the spirit of Niam Khasi. The atmosphere remained festive throughout, with people seen in a joyous and celebratory mood as they walked through the city. Elders and leaders of the Seng Khasi movement emphasised the importance of preserving Khasi identity, values, and customs that have been upheld ...

Meghalaya achieved a major creative milestone with the completion of the first full-length feature film under the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025, marking a new chapter in India’s emerging film destinations. The Telugu feature 'Baa Baa Black Sheep', directed by Guni Manchikanti and produced by Chitralayam Studios, has completed its entire shoot in the State, with every frame captured across Meghalaya’s dramatic landscapes, particularly in Sohra. Shot in a remarkably efficient 25 days, the film employed nearly 2,000 local youth across various departments, making it one of the State’s largest creative employment initiatives to date and a landmark example of Meghalaya’s growing film-production capabilities. Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister while acknowledging the achievement, noted that t...

Meghalaya’s cement manufacturers have told the state government that the 16-day strike called by the Meghalaya Commercial Truck Owners and Drivers Association (MCTODA) between October 27 and November 11 severely disrupted movement of cement and clinker from the Jaintia Hills cluster, and that a steep increase in freight rates sought by the trucker associations could unsettle the state’s construction economy at a time when the industry is still recovering from the disruption. In a detailed memorandum submitted to the Deputy Chief Ministers, the Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturers Association (JHCMA) said the agitation had an adverse impact across the supply chain, as it not only halted the movement of vehicles belonging to the association but also affected trucks operated by other owners al...

The Shillong Literary Festival began its fifth edition on Wednesday with a strong message from writers, scholars and cultural voices from India and abroad — Meghalaya’s stories deserve a wider audience, far beyond the state’s hills. Set against the pink bloom of cherry blossoms around Ward’s Lake, the opening ceremony marked the start of three days of discussions centred on literature, identity and the growing place of regional languages in India’s cultural landscape. This year’s festival, organised by the Meghalaya Tourism Department, has been described as the biggest edition yet. Officials said the event has slowly evolved into a platform that brings students, young writers and seasoned authors together. One senior official noted that the festival has sparked “a whole movement of engage...

The 5th Shillong Literary Festival 2025 commenced today where eminent authors, columnists, and artists converged at the iconic Ward’s Lake, currently draped in pink Cherry Blossoms. The setting offered the perfect backdrop for literary lovers, marking the beginning of three days of literary brilliance and creative dialogues. The opening day witnessed the presence of some of the most distinguished literary and cultural figures of the region and the world, including Booker International Prize-winning writer Smti Banu Mushtaq; internationally acclaimed Spanish author Francesc Miralles; Sanjoy Hazarika, Sam Dalrymple, Jerry Pinto, Prof. Desmond Kharmawphlang, Smti Malvika Banerjee, Sonal Jain, Dennis Laishram, Patricia Mukhim; and several celebrated local writers such as Smti Streamlet Dkhar ...

The much-awaited Me’gong Festival is all set to be held on December 5 and 6, 2025 in Garo Hills. This year’s festival will. Featuretwo of Bollywood’s most loved voices – Neeti Mohan and Kanika Kapoor. International performers for the opening day and the concluding day will be announced soon. Set to take the stags on December 5, is Neeti Mohan. She is widely regarded as one of India’s finest playback singers and is celebrated for popular hits including Ishq Wala Love, Jiya Re, Nainowale Ne, and Kheech Meri Photo. On December 6, festival visitors will groove to the beat of Kanika Kapoor who is known for blockbuster hits such as Baby Doll, Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan, Lovely, and Jugni Ji. Me’gong Festival continues to grow as one of Meghalaya’s landmark cultural showcases, celebrating the rich ...

The Shillong Literary Festival is back, in its Fifth Edition, with a glittering gathering of over 60 award-winning international, national, and regional authors which promises to be the largest such literary gathering in the North-east, including International Booker Prize winners Banu Mustaq and Shehan Karukaratne. Other iconic writers presenting their work include Francesc Miralles, the Spanish author of the best-selling Ikigai, and Sam Darylmple, whose Shattered Lands has just been published.  Joining them is a list of major writers from Meghalaya, Assam, and Nagaland, including the Streamlet Dkhar, Janice Pariat, Aiyinti Nongbri, Bandarilin Bairo, and Garo writers Barbara Sangma and Colnat Marak. In fact, for the first time in the history of the festival, which the Meghalaya Gove...