Meghalaya

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Syiem on Wednesday informed that Advocate Gautam KC has been appointed as new special public prosecutor in to over Sonam Raghuvanshi case, replacing the former additional public prosecutor Tushar Chandra. Responding to question if Sonam will get bail, he said that Meghalaya Police has filed chargesheet against all 5 accused, and as for bail it is upto the court to decide. Gautam said that the bail hearing will take place in Sohra. He said that the defence has sought bail on the ground that police submitted an "incomplete chargesheet".

Meghalaya has finally got its own state guest house after a long wait of 25 years, with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma inaugurating the newly constructed Taraghar facility on September 16. The Rs 24.91 crore state-of-the-art guest house, located near the iconic Ward’s Lake, is set to reduce the government’s reliance on rented venues for official programs and significantly cut operational costs. During the inauguration, CM Sangma noted that when his government took office in 2018, Meghalaya lacked basic state symbols such as an emblem and an anthem, all of which have since been established, including the new guest house. “The state is steadily progressing, and this facility reflects our commitment to infrastructure and governance,” he said. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong emphas...

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday announced the allocation of portfolios. He has retained Cabinet Affairs, Finance, and all portfolios not specifically assigned. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong will oversee Home (Police), Public Works (Roads and Buildings), District Council Affairs, and Parliamentary Affairs, while fellow Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has been entrusted with Urban Affairs, Transport, Commerce & Industries, and Prisons and Correctional Services. Among the newly inducted ministers, Timothy D. Shira will head the Tourism, Agriculture, and Fisheries departments. Wailadmiki Shylla has been given responsibility for Health & Family Welfare, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Home (Passport). Sosthenes Sohtun...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he turned 75 on Wednesday, and said his unwavering commitment to India’s growth and development is truly inspirational. He also thanked Modi for his continued support for the people of Meghalaya. “Warmest birthday wishes to our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi ji, on his 75th birthday... On behalf of the people of Meghalaya, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and convey our sincere blessings and best wishes for your health, happiness, and long life,” he said in a post on X.

In a major political development ahead of a cabinet reshuffle, eight ministers in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government tendered their resignations on Tuesday, paving the way for the induction of a new council of ministers. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who leads the NPP-led coalition, called on Governor C H Vijayashankar at Raj Bhavan and submitted the resignations. Officials confirmed that the new ministers will be sworn in at 5 pm on Tuesday at Raj Bhavan. Among those who stepped down are prominent figures, including Health Minister AL Hek of the BJP, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh of the UDP, and Social Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh of the NPP. Others who resigned include Comingone Ymbon, Rakkam A Sangma, and Abu Taher Mondal of the NPP, Kyrmen Shylla of the UDP, ...

Meghalaya Police have issued a stern advisory urging the public to refrain from sharing videos and photographs of a deceased minor from Nongrah, East Khasi Hills, warning that legal action will be taken against violators. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Syiem condemned the circulation of the disturbing content, stressing that it disrespects the victim and her grieving family. “Such thoughtless acts show a complete lack of respect for the victim and her family,” he said, urging social media users and content creators to delete any such posts immediately. The advisory follows the recovery of four-year-old Insaphira Lyngdoh Mawnai’s body on Monday. The child had gone missing on Sunday while playing in her courtyard. Her body was later discovered in a waterlogged pi...

The tourist taxi drivers under the banner of the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA) launched an indefinite protest to prevent tourist vehicles from outside the state from ferrying passengers to tourist destinations on Tuesday. The local tourist taxi drivers set up blockades at locations such as Umtyngngar, Kyrdemkhla and other points, using vehicles registered under the "ML" series to exclusively transport tourists. Initially, outside vehicles were stopped and not allowed to proceed. However, following the intervention of the Magistrate, these out-of-state tourist vehicles were eventually permitted to continue their trips. In response, the association (AKMTTA) resorted to distributing pamphlets to voice their stand on the issue.

The Conrad K. Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) 2.0 government is set for a major Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, with the swearing-in of new ministers scheduled at Raj Bhavan at 5 p.m.  Chief Minister Conrad Sangma reportedly met Governor C.H. Vijayashankar on Monday evening to submit the final list of legislators who will be inducted. The reshuffle is expected to impact at least eight sitting ministers across coalition partners. Within the National People's Party (NPP), four ministers are slated to be dropped: Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma, and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Comingone Ymbon. Their likely replacements include Jirang MLA Sostheness Sohtun, Resubelpara MLA Timothy Shira, Jowai MLA...

East Khasi Hills SP, Vivek Syiem, has strongly condemned the circulation of videos and photographs of the deceased minor from Nongrah, whose body was recovered on Monday, September 15. Authorities have urged social media users, including content creators, not to upload or share such material, citing the severe emotional impact on the victim’s family and the wider community. “Such thoughtless acts show a complete lack of respect for the victim and her family,” SP Syiem said in an advisory. He warned that individuals or groups failing to comply could face serious legal consequences. The advisory follows the discovery of four-year-old Insaphira Lyngdoh Mawnai, who went missing on Sunday, September 14. Her body was found inside an under-construction house near her home in Nongrah Nonglum, ...

Government employee federations from across the Northeast have joined forces to push for pay parity with central staff and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The move came during the General Meeting of the Meghalaya State Government Employees’ Federation (MAGEF) at the State Convention Centre in Shillong on September 12. Gonya Riba, Secretary General of the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP), represented Arunachal Pradesh employees at the meeting. Leaders unanimously backed MAGEF’s demands, which include House Rent Allowance (HRA), Tough Location Allowance (TLA), Travel Allowance (TA), and Dearness Allowance/Dearness Relief (DA/DR) for retirees at par with central government staff under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The house also res...