Meghalaya

At Hahim, located along the Assam–Meghalaya border in the Sabyasachi Rabha Coordination Area, the Rabha Students’ Union, Rabha Women’s Council, and the Sixth Schedule Demand Committee held their day-long biennial convention on Thursday. During the representative session held in the afternoon, the previous committees were dissolved and new committees were constituted, followed by oath-taking and assumption of responsibilities.The formation of the new committees for a two-year term was attended by several dignitaries, including Hiteshwar Rabha, Assistant Secretary of the All Rabha Students’ Union; Montu Rava and Namal Kumar Rabha, Vice Presidents of Kamrup District Rabha Students’ Union; Organising Secretary Ankur Rabha; Assistant General Secretary Jiten Rabha; Kalpanath Rabha, Vice Preside...

In a heartwarming gesture, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had breakfast with the conservancy workers of Shillong Municipal Board, adding to their festive joy ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. "A truly meaningful way to close the year, sharing breakfast with the unsung heroes of the Shillong Municipal Board. These remarkable women and men quietly care for our city, often unseen, yet always present," the Chief Minister said. "I remember travelling back home late one evening and saw them cleaning near Ward’s Lake. I stopped to meet them, and in that moment I realised how often we enjoy clean streets and surroundings without ever acknowledging the hands that make it possible. This was a very special early Christmas breakfast," he said. "As we celebrate Christma...

Meghalaya police arrested four Bangladeshi nationals for unlawfully entering India via the Dawki sector in West Jaintia Hills district on the intervening night of December 17-18, reports said. The arrests took place during a routine naka checking at Amlarem market junction around 12:30 am, after a team of police personnel stopped a speeding tourist vehicle (bearing registration number ML-04 D 9309) approaching from Dawki. The driver of the vehicle attempted to give the policemen a slip. However, the police team chased the vehicle before intercepting them at Amsarin. It was revealed after verification that four undocumented Bangladeshi nationals were inside the vehicle that was on its way to Assam. The vehicle was seized while the driver, Chemphang Rasmut (43) from Shkentalang village, ...

Recalling the legendary Khasi poet U Soso Tham, a family member shared memories handed down by her mother, offering a touching glimpse into the man behind the literary icon. “I was born in 1939 and he died in 1940. I was just a baby,” she said, adding that whatever she knew about him came from her mother. “She told me he was very broad-minded.” One such memory spoke of his firm support for traditional Khasi archery, despite criticism. When questioned by a few men, he calmly replied, *“Phi la wan saw ngut, phi la wan saw kynhun, nga la wan saw spah,”* making it clear that he would not be swayed. “He thought, as it’s a game of the Khasi people, we should support it,” she recalled. She also remembered being told how U Soso Tham engaged freely with people from all backgrounds. “He would...

Meghalaya paused to remember one of its greatest literary icons, U Soso Tham, as the state commemorated the 85th death anniversary of the pioneering Khasi poet and writer. Revered as a towering figure in Khasi literature, U Soso Tham’s timeless words continued to give voice to the soul, identity and aspirations of the Khasi people, decades after his passing.The Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya, organised an official commemorative programme on December 18, 2025, at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, State Central Library, Shillong. The event paid tribute to a literary legacy that not only preserved the Khasi language and culture but also awakened social consciousness and strengthened the collective heritage. The Governor of Meghalaya graced the occasion as the Chief Gues...

In what may be described as a welcome announcement, PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak on Wednesday promised uninterrupted supply in water-starved Shillong from Thursday. A day after the High Court of Meghalaya registered a PIL over the severe water shortage in the city, the PHE Minister pointed fingers at the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for damaging a major water pipeline during road construction works, leading to the disruption. Marak, who inspected the affected site along with department officials, confirmed that the leakage occurred deep within the newly-constructed NHIDCL road in the 101 Area. This caused massive water scarcity across Shillong for over a week. “The leakage was well inside the road, making it difficult to excavate and r...

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar has stated that the acquisition of land for setting up new landfills in Shillong and other district headquarters is still pending due to ongoing negotiations over rates with landowners. "No public hearing has been held, so we are yet to negotiate about the rate, and we have formed a negotiation committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner or Director of Urban Affairs," Dhar told reporters on Wednesday. "The rate, if it is win-win for both, we may go ahead, but if the rate is too high, that's a different question altogether." Regarding the proposed landfill site in Nonghali, Dhar said, "The public hearing had gone smoothly, and the main part is the rate now. We cannot discuss the rate until and unless the hearing is complete...

Civil society organisation, Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) has urged the Meghalaya government to complete the recruitment process for the newly-functional Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU) and not rely on ad hoc and temporary appointments, which impact education and hinders critical administrative functions. In a statement, the ACHIK, while accusing the senior administration of the university of arbitrary appointments, asserted that such practices should be stopped with immediate effect.“We express grave concern regarding the protracted delay in the recruitment of permanent teaching and non-teaching staff at the CWSSU, the newly functional State University. We want to highlight the fact that sustained reliance on ad hoc and temporary appointments se...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched a city beautification drive in Mawlai Mawroh, Shillong, emphasizing the government's commitment to making cities clean, green, safe, and beautiful through the urban affairs department and municipal collaboration. He expressed satisfaction with the community's active involvement in the initiative and reflected on a previous meeting with Rangbah Shnongs, where local leaders voiced the need for CCTV systems. During the event, Sangma announced the inauguration of a CCTV system, revealing that out of 45 localities identified for phase one, installations have been completed in 25, with progress continuing in the remaining 20. He highlighted that the installation of CCTVs and streetlights is an ongoing effort, with plans for expansion in a...

While other measures are being investigated to protect the interests of local taxi companies, the Meghalaya government has ruled out limitations on the admission of foreign tourist taxis into the state, citing legal constraints. The demand made by the All-Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) to forbid outside tourist vehicles from entering the state is not legally feasible, according to Sniawbhalang Dhar, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport.According to him, this was based on the Advocate General's advice that the current legislation did not allow for such a restriction. According to Dhar, the State administration is still considerate of the local taxi companies' concerns in spite of the legislative restrictions.The State administration has chosen to take a co...