Meghalaya

The National People’s Party (NPP) on Tuesday said the recent threats by certain elements in Bangladesh to seize and merge the states of the Northeast with Bangladesh should be taken seriously by the Government of India and not dismissed lightly. Speaking to reporters, NPP state working president Hamletson Dohling said that if the Centre is serious about addressing such threats, it must introduce strong laws and ensure the installation of barbed-wire fencing along the entire Meghalaya border. On the issue of border fencing, Dohling stressed the need for close coordination between the Government of India and local stakeholders, including landowners, Rangbah Shnongs, Sordars, and other traditional authorities, to ensure that the initiative is effective and successful in protecting the state ...

Shillong is welcoming New Year’s Eve with festive spirit today, and Police Bazaar has been turned into a vehicle-free zone from this evening to make space for walkers and visitors. From 5 pm today, vehicles are not allowed to enter the Khyndailad and Police Bazaar area, as police expect large crowds to gather to celebrate the last night of the year. The move has been taken to reduce traffic jams and to keep the public safe. Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said that all vehicles heading towards Police Bazaar will be stopped and redirected. Traffic coming from Kachari Point is being diverted towards Raj Bhawan Junction, while vehicles from Umsohsun Junction along GS Road are being sent through Boucher Road and Motphran. Parking is only allowed on one side of a few selected stretches...

On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a commemorative programme under “Atal Smriti Varsh 2025” was successfully organized at Lower Balian L.P. School Ground, Byrnihat, Ribhoi District, Meghalaya, under the chairmanship of Shri Hemanta Timung. The programme was jointly organized by ST Morcha Meghalaya in collaboration with Jirang Mandal BJP, with active participation from BJP karyakartas across the state.The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Shri Temjen Imna Along, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism & Higher Education, Government of Nagaland. The programme was also attended by Shri Rikmon G. Momin, State President, BJP Meghalaya Pradesh, along with senior party leaders and dedicated BJP workers from different parts of M...

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong has informed that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave a “very positive” response to the state’s proposal to extend Inner‑Line Permit (ILP)‑type safeguards to Meghalaya through the recently enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. During a recent meeting with the Union Home Minister in New Delhi, Tynsong said the state delegation led by chief minister Conrad K Sangma had raised several issues, including the ILP framework and the new 2025 Act. He explained: “We discussed how the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 can be combined with an ILP‑style provision, effectively making it an ILP for Meghalaya. The discussion with the Union Home Minister on this was very positive. Likely by next week, the Union Home Secretary ...

Meghalaya Cricket Association’s junior women’s selection committee, on December 29, announced a 15-member squad along with five standbys for the BCCI Under-19 Girls’ One Day Trophy 2025–26 (plate group), setting the stage for the state’s national campaign. The team will open its tournament on January 2 against Arunachal Pradesh, with all plate group matches scheduled to be played in Guwahati. Meghalaya have been drawn alongside Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Sikkim. Laviola Mary L Mawlong has been appointed captain, while Onasa M Sangma will serve as vice-captain. The side will be coached by Laxman Chettri as Meghalaya look to make a strong impression in the national competition organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The squad selection, announced by the Meghalaya Cric...

To manage the expected New Year’s Eve rush, the East Khasi Hills Police have announced major traffic restrictions in Shillong. Police Bazaar will be declared a “No Entry” zone for all vehicles from 5:00 pm on December 31 according to SP Vivek Syiem, IPS. Traffic from Kachari Point will be diverted toward Raj Bhawan, while vehicles from Umsohsun Junction (GS Road) will be rerouted via Boucher Road and Motphran. Parking will be allowed on one side only from Centenary Junction to Rap’s Mansion and Pinewood Junction to Botanical Garden. Emergency vehicles will be exempted. The police have urged the public to plan travel in advance and cooperate with traffic personnel to ensure a safe New Year celebration.

The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has urged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his capacity as Chairman of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), to take the lead in demanding the extension of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime to the entire Northeast, including Assam and Meghalaya, citing rising security, demographic, and sovereignty concerns. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, HITO expressed strong concern over recent remarks made by Bangladesh’s interim head Muhammad Yunus during a visit to China, where he reportedly referred to Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean” for India’s landlocked Northeastern states and repeatedly mentioned the strategic Siliguri Corridor, often called the “Chicken Neck.” The organisation described ...

Pro-Inner Line Permit (ILP) supporters in Meghalaya on Monday demanded the enactment of a national anti-racism law and fast-track justice following the brutal murder of a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, calling the incident part of a recurring pattern of racial violence against people from the North East. In a statement, the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) expressed deep condolences and anger over the death of Anjel Chakma, who succumbed to his injuries on December 26 following an assault in Dehradun. CoMSO leader Roykupar Synrem said such crimes were not isolated and reflected systemic prejudice faced by people from the region in cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi and Dehradun. Synrem said such crimes were not isolated incidents but reflected deep-rooted pre...

Meghalaya BJP has warned about serious security challenges to Northeast states in the wake of the increasing influence of radicalised Islamist groups in Bangladesh could pose serious security challenges for the northeastern region.State BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang said statements made by some sections from Bangladesh about separating the Northeast is “dangerous” and calls for close attention. “Previous governments in Bangladesh had maintained friendly relations with India, to the extent of dismantling the camps of militant groups from the northeastern region. But Bangladesh today is different,” Kharkrang said.“Tackling a radicalised environment in the neighbouring country is fraught with danger even as there are no immediate indications of violence in the Northeast. Therefore, bol...

The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) has advocated for the establishment of a national anti-racism law and expedited justice following the murder of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura. CoMSO emphasizes that this incident exemplifies a troubling trend of racial violence targeting individuals from Northeast India in various cities across the country. In their statement, they conveyed profound condolences and outrage, asserting that such crimes reflect a broader systemic prejudice encountered by Northeastern citizens, particularly in urban areas like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Dehradun. CoMSO is urging the central government to mandate state administrations to implement a dedicated 24/7 'North East Helpline' and to set up specialized police units in major ...