Meghalaya

Inspection by Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) officials on Thursday left several tea, snack and fruit vendors in Khyndailad devastated after their goods were reportedly seized, forcing them to lose an entire day’s earnings. Many women vendors, visibly distressed, said their perishable items were spoiled and pleaded with the authorities for compassion, stressing that vending is their only source of livelihood. The matter quickly drew the attention of VPP MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, who visited the spot and strongly condemned the action. In an interview at the site, he said, “We feel that this is too much, because they are not disturbing anyone since they are mobile vendors. Had it been other vendors, we would not have come. We are here to tell the Municipal authorities that they shoul...

The State Cabinet has approved the establishment of a teacher training academy as an autonomous society under the Directorate of Education, Research and Training, aimed at enhancing teacher education, capacity building, and professional development. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Wednesday that the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy will focus on providing specialised training to teachers across various levels. It will ensure professionals oversee the training process, allowing for more effective and targeted capacity building.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said the state cabinet has approved a standard operating procedure (SOP) to regulate the use of beacons, flashers, sirens, tinted glasses and similar equipment in official vehicles. He said the SOP will clearly outline which officials are authorised to use sirens and beacons and who may use tinted glasses or flashers. The cabinet agreed on the need for strict regulation to prevent misuse. According to officials, the proposal was thoroughly discussed in the Cabinet meeting, where members expressed a strong consensus on the need for a robust mechanism to prevent misuse of these vehicle features. The move is intended to bring uniformity, accountability, and transparency to the use of special equipment in government vehicles. The gov...

Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, today, attended the Attestation Parade of the 6th Batch of Agniveers at the Assam Regimental Centre, Happy Valley. The event marked the culmination of 31 weeks of rigorous military training and the formal induction of young recruits into the Indian Army. A total of 783 trainees participated in the ceremony, including 274 Agniveers and 509 Territorial Army recruits who commenced training on 1 May 2025. The Agniveer batch comprised Naga/Kuki (08), Mizo/Lushai (02), Assamese/Kachari (20), Arunachali (18), and other recruits from across the North East Region (226), showcasing the region’s rich and diverse martial heritage.The Chief Minister reviewed the parade, which included the march-past, presentation of Regimental Colours, trooping of the National Flag an...

North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has enforced a new set of strict traffic safety rules inside its Shillong campus following a recent accident that left two first-semester students injured and triggered widespread concern among students, parents, and faculty. The university administration issued the order on November 24, announcing a maximum speed limit of 30 kmph for all vehicles and making helmet use compulsory for riders of two-wheelers and even cyclists. The move comes barely a week after a drunk security guard drove an old university vehicle into two students near the main campus gate. The incident, which was caught on CCTV, quickly sparked outrage over lax traffic monitoring and inadequate enforcement of safety measures within the university. Authorities said the fresh rule...

ANTF raided Lum Survey, a known drug hotspot in Shillong, detaining several youth. One user revealed the area's main supplier is a man called Salim, who also sells drugs at Punjabi Lane. He admitted he was on his way to buy "half a CC" when police arrived. Lum Survey has become a major injection point. ANTF continues its investigation to track down the key peddler and others involved.

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the government is in the process of identifying new places for relocation of hawkers in Shillong. "We are on the job. Yesterday, I had a meeting with my officers for identifying new places (for relocation of hawkers) from many areas," Dhar told reporters on Tuesday. He said relocation of hawkers from areas like Laitumkhrah and GS road will be done in such a manner that nobody's livelihood is harmed. "...we don't want to deprive anyone as they are our own people. It is not easy for government to throw our own people. So, before we shift them we have to see good place (to rehabilitate them)," Dhar stated. Regarding the proposed relocation of the Harijan colony from Them Iew Mawlong, the deputy chief minister said, "We are almost coming to a...

The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has issued a notice to the government to ascertain negligence by Civil Hospital staff in treating the NEHU students who were injured in the accident. In a statement, MHRC said it has taken suo motu cognizance of the disturbing incident where two students, who were injured on November 17 in a road accident, were allegedly left unattended at Shillong Civil Hospital. "The Commission has issued a notice to the Director of Health Service (MI), Government of Meghalaya, to cause an effective enquiry and to submit a detailed inquiry report to the Commission on or before the 7th January 2026," the MHRC said. The students, Stephanie Shadap (22) and Daritngen Ponduhkhei (20), sustained serious injuries. Fellow NEHU students had accused Civil Hospital s...

Meghalaya has emerged with the country's lowest obesity rates amongst women, standing at just 12 per cent, even as a new study reveals that nearly one in four Indian adults is now obese. The research, launched by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in Delhi on November 25, highlighted the stark regional disparities in India's mounting health challenge. Whilst Meghalaya maintains relatively low obesity levels, Delhi faces the highest rates with 41 per cent of women classified as obese, according to data from the National Family Health Survey 2019-21. The study warns that India has reached a critical juncture as obesity-related diseases surge across both urban and rural populations. Nationally, 24 per cent of women and 23 per cent of men are either overweight or obese—nearly five tim...

A 26-year-old woman, Phidarisha Jyrwa, died on November 13 after suffering severe spinal injuries from falling out of a moving car on November 7. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said she was picked up from a wedding at All Saints and fell near the DC Office junction while her boyfriend was driving. Witnesses saw her fall, and she was admitted to Woodland Hospital, where she later died. The boyfriend was arrested, released on bail, and his vehicle has been seized as investigations continue.