Meghalaya

The Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) Meghalaya on Monday arrested four individuals and seized a total of 72.93 grams of heroin in two separate operations carried out in the city. According to ANTF SP Giri Prasad M, the first raid was conducted around 2:30 p.m. following specific intelligence inputs. ANTF personnel raided the Seven Sisters Hotel at Police Bazar, where three boxes of heroin were recovered from two rooms.Two boxes were found in Room 25 in the possession of Sajul Ali (28). Another box was recovered from Room 11, occupied by Rahim Uddin Lashar, who was staying along with Akbar Ali (31). The seized heroin weighed 42.56 grams. The three individuals were immediately apprehended, and the contraband will be handed over to the Sadar Police Station after completion of formal pro...

The National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya has urged the central government to reconsider its reported decision to deny an entry visa to US evangelist Franklin Graham. The visa denial led to the cancellation of Graham’s planned programme at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima, disappointing thousands who had prepared to attend. NPP national working president James PK Sangma wrote to the Centre, highlighting the emotional impact on Christian communities and recalling Nagaland’s long association with the Graham family, dating back to Billy Graham’s 1972 visit. Sangma warned that blocking a peaceful religious event could fuel misunderstanding in predominantly Christian regions of the Northeast. He requested a review of the decision, saying it would reassure Christian communities an...

The Dorbar Shnong Nongjrong has decided to close Nongjrong Viewpoint and other tourist spots in the Nongirong every Sunday starting from January 2026.  In a notification, the Dorbar Shnong saud that entry of visitors into the village will be restricted from Saturday night until the end of Sunday and all homestays will also remain closed on that day. The Dorbar Shnong has apologised for any inconvenience that thus order may cause to the travel plans of tourists as the decision has been taken collectively by the community. The Shnong in the notification further informed that. In Nongjrong, visitors often gather at the viewpoint at the same time, leading to heavy use of limited facilities. This creates difficulties for both the local community and the visitors. To ensure smooth arran...

The District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills has banned overloaded hay-laden trucks and pickup vehicles from operating within Shillong city limits, citing serious fire safety concerns. Officials issued the prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on December 1, following reports that overloaded hay vehicles pose significant risks when they come into contact with overhead electric wires. Authorities warned such incidents could trigger major fires across the city. The ban also addresses a separate issue plaguing Shillong's streets. Hay falling from poorly secured loads has been littering roads throughout residential areas, creating public nuisances and hampering the district's ongoing annual cleaning campaign. Violators will face prosecution under Sect...

A renewed drive to expand Meghalaya’s organic export capacity dominated the closing day of the 1st Northeast India Organic Week and the 4th IFOAM World Organic Youth Summit on December 1, with the state’s prized Khasi Mandarin emerging as the key focus for policymakers and exporters. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stressed that strengthening the organic mission will demand “unwavering and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders,” underscoring that farmers remain central to every policy decision. He reminded participants that the event should be viewed “as the beginning of a longer journey,” adding that government programmes will stay “target-based and time-bound.” The Khasi Mandarin—a bright, sweet, aromatic and easy-to-peel orange native to Meghalaya—was highlighted as a flagship pr...

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, toady, inaugurated the office budding of the Directorate of Community & Rural Development at Lower Lachumiere, Shillong, in the presence of Minister, C&RD, Sosthenes Sohtun, Chief Secretary, Dr Shakil P. Ahammed, Principal Secretary, C&RD, Sampath Kumar and Director, C&RD, S C Sadhu. Delivering the inaugural address, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said that the Community & Rural Development department plays an important role in the economic and social upliftment of rural areas. “The C&RD department has been performing well with committed and focussed dedication in delivering schemes, projects and welfare activities to rural communities making a difference in the lives of the people in the villages,” he said. Congratulating the ...

After nearly two decades of pauses, fencing along the 443-km Indo–Bangladesh border in Meghalaya is accelerating, with expectations of completion by the end of 2026, a significant step for border security. The BSF has celebrated the operational completion of 20 km of fencing last year, although progress has been hindered by legal issues, objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh, and local community resistance. Currently, land acquisition for an additional 21 km has been finalized, with construction expected to commence soon. Inspector General Upadhyay expressed confidence that all fencing gaps will be addressed by 2026. He noted that zero-line fencing is not feasible due to international treaties and challenging terrain. To further bolster security, the BSF is also implementing advance...

The Border Security Force in Meghalaya has expressed concern over a steady rise in fundamentalist activities inside Bangladesh, particularly in regions situated close to the state’s international boundary. According to the BSF, such incidents have grown noticeably over the past eighteen months, with several pockets along the Meghalaya–Assam border now being viewed as sensitive. Despite this, BSF Meghalaya Frontier Inspector General O.P. Upadhyay has assured that the situation remains firmly under control. “Our troops are maintaining close watch on every development. We are fully alert and prepared to counter any fallout of this emerging trend,” he stated. He emphasized that coordinated action with intelligence agencies and other security forces will ensure that the issue is addressed with...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said that the programmes, policies and agenda of the state government are focussed to help and uplift the farmers of the state. Addressing the concluding day’s programme of the 4th Organic Youth Summit in Shillong, Sangma said, “Farmers are an important part of our policies and our different mission mode programmes in agriculture and allied sectors are to push the farmers and give them the necessary support and help.” The 1st Northeast India Organic Week cum Buyer Seller Meet was also simultaneously held during the summit. “The summit, with the perspective of learning, sharing and helping the farmers, will continue beyond its three days’ schedule,” the Chief Minister said. On the Organic Mission of the state, he said that organic is no...

In a significant breakthrough for India’s semiconductor ambitions—and a proud achievement for the Northeast—NIT Meghalaya has successfully fabricated two indigenous chips under the Government of India’s Chips to Startup (C2S) and SMDP programmes. The accomplishment positions the institute as one of the leading academic contributors to the country’s rapidly expanding semiconductor ecosystem. Earlier this year, NIT Meghalaya made history by designing and fabricating the state’s first-ever indigenous digital integrated circuit. The achievement gained national recognition when the fabricated chip was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SEMICON India 2025 Summit. The moment showcased the vital role of academic research and innovation in advancing India’s quest for self-reliance...