Meghalaya

The district administration in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills has banned people from cutting wood at a disputed site after tensions increased between two neighbouring villages in the area. The move has been taken as a preventive step to stop the situation from turning worse and to make sure that there is no disturbance of peace. According to officials, residents of Nonjrong village and Kut village have been involved in cutting firewood from a patch of land that is claimed by both sides. This activity is said to have created friction, as both communities believe they have rights over the area. With tempers rising and the risk of arguments or confrontation increasing, the district administration decided to step in. District Magistrate Rosetta Mary Kurbah issued an order prohibiting the cuttin...

Megalaya MLA Ollan Sing Suin has said that the proposed Rs 25-crore Rain Museum will significantly boost tourism in Mawsynram, the world’s wettest village, by offering visitors a unique immersive experience centred on rain and climate science. According to him, the museum will feature advanced rain simulations, interactive climate exhibits and educational displays highlighting the ecological importance of rainfall and Meghalaya’s distinctive weather patterns. The project is envisioned as a landmark attraction that blends science, tourism and environmental awareness. Suin said the Rain Museum is also expected to give a major push to eco-tourism in the region by encouraging sustainable travel practices and strengthening the local economy.  “The initiative will support homestays and ...

Security agencies in Meghalaya on Sunday dismissed claims by the Bangladesh Police that the killers of Inquilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi had entered the state. The claims are unfounded and misleading, BSF chief in Meghalaya, Inspector General O P Opadhyay said. A top Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer earlier in the day said that two primary suspects in the Hadi murder case have crossed into Meghalaya via the Haluaghat border “with the help of local associates”. Earlier in the day, a senior officer of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police had alleged that two prime suspects in the murder had entered Meghalaya through the Haluaghat border with the help of local associates. The statement triggered heightened scrutiny along the international boundary. A senior Meghalaya police official also...

The Meghalaya government has taken measures to ensure the comprehensive security of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar following threats from the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), a banned militant group. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the Home portfolio, emphasized the government’s commitment to the safety of all citizens, particularly in life-threatening situations. He stated that the police department has implemented adequate security arrangements for Dhar. In response to claims made by HNLC, which alleged that an IED blast was caused by Dhar's refusal to pay extortion money, Tynsong clarified that there is no information verifying that Dhar has received any extortion letters. He pointed out that the HNLC previously asserted that Dhar had pa...

Shillong Christmas Turns into Citywide Carnival. Christmas celebrations in Shillong this year transformed into a vibrant citywide carnival, extending well beyond traditional religious observances. Streets came alive with carol groups, families, tourists, and revellers, creating a moving festival of music and cheer from evening until past midnight. Khyndai Lad emerged as the main hub of celebrations, glowing with festive lights and echoing with hymns, carols, and popular local songs.Carol processions from different localities converged at the city centre, drawing diverse crowds including children, youth, the elderly, and visitors. Many dressed as Santa Claus, shared sweets, and danced atop slow-moving vehicles, turning traffic stretches into impromptu stages. Tourists were especially ca...

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply) of West Jaintia Hills district has informed all Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries that the distribution of monthly ration entitlements will be strictly linked to the completion of Aadhaar seeding and e-KYC verification. The directive follows an order of the Supreme Court mandating Aadhaar seeding and e-KYC for all NFSA beneficiaries. As per the notification, from January 2026, monthly entitlements for Priority Household (PHH) ration card holders will be issued based on their e-KYC completion status. In the case of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card holders, the monthly ration entitlement will be withheld until e-KYC verification is completed. The e-KYC process can be carried out at all Fai...

The Meghalaya unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has called for strong and immediate action against anyone trying to disturb Christmas celebrations in the country. The statement was made on December 26 after reports emerged about incidents in some places where attempts were allegedly made to disrupt the festive season. State BJP chief spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang said that Christmas is a festival that stands for peace, love and unity. He noted that the festival is not only celebrated by Christians, but is also respected and enjoyed by people from many different communities across India. He said it was painful to see that a few people were trying to disturb this peaceful atmosphere. According to Kharkrang, such actions go against the basic values of Indian society, where people of many ...

Amidst reports of attempts to disrupt Christmas celebrations in parts of the country, the Meghalaya unit of the BJP on Friday demanded the strictest punishment for those involved, asserting that every citizen has the constitutional right to celebrate festivals freely and without fear. State BJP chief spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang said Christmas symbolises love, harmony and unity, and is celebrated across communities in India with equal zeal and reverence. "It is painful to see a handful of people indulging in acts of hate with the sole objective of disrupting and disrespecting the spirit of Christmas and its message of universal love. Such acts go against the very nature of Indian civilisation and attack the values we hold dear," Kharkrang said in a statement. Rejecting attempts to p...

Mawsynram in Meghalaya is famous across the world for being one of the wettest places on the planet. But new research suggests that the town may be losing some of its record-breaking rain, and air pollution could be one of the main reasons. A recent scientific study has found that the total rainfall recorded in Mawsynram has gone down sharply over the past decade. According to the researchers, the annual rainfall dropped from a little over 10,200 millimetres in 2014 to about 8,800 millimetres in 2023. This means the region has seen a decline of nearly 14 per cent during this period, which experts believe is quite significant for a place known for very heavy rain. The study was published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing. The research team examined satellite-based d...

Mawsynram in Meghalaya, traditionally known as the wettest place on Earth, has experienced a sharp drop in annual rainfall over the past decade, with researchers linking the decline to rising air pollution levels. A study published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing reveals that annual rainfall in the region plummeted from 10,235 millimetres to 8,838.2 millimetres between 2014 and 2023. The research team, led by Mamta Devi et al., found a strong correlation between this 13.6 per cent decrease and increasing atmospheric aerosol concentrations. Satellite data analysis showed aerosol optical depth—a measure of particle pollution in the atmosphere—rose by nearly 15 per cent during the study period, increasing by approximately 0.007 units annually. Fine-mode aerosol part...