Meghalaya

As protests at North-Eastern Hills University (NEHU) intensified, faculty members appealed to Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar for intervention, marking the fourth day of an indefinite hunger strike led by students. The strike, coupled with campus protests, has disrupted operations for the university’s nearly 5,000 students.The students, staging a sit-in outside NEHU Vice-Chancellor PS Shukla’s office, are demanding the dismissal of Shukla, as well as the registrar and deputy registrar, citing alleged incompetence. Demonstrators escalated their protest by burning effigies of the officials. North Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) President Prof. Lakhon Kma stated that faculty members met with Governor Vijayashankar, the university’s chief rector, to outline their...

The 2024 Inspector General’s Conference of Assam Rifles, held at the Directorate General Headquarters in Laitkor, Shillong, saw high-level discussions on equipping the force with advanced weapon systems and military technology to bolster security, especially along the Indo-Myanmar border. Chaired by Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles, the conference brought together Formation Commanders, Battalion Commanders, and senior officers to chart a roadmap for upgrading the force's combat capabilities. Lt Gen Lakhera lauded the force for its professional dedication and urged continued vigilance and readiness against emerging security threats. A key agenda at the conference was the acquisition of new-generation equipment to enhance operational capabilities. Emphas...

The Central Library of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is set to host a two-day book fair on November 6-7, 2024, at the university’s Multi-Use Convention Hall. The event, which will be inaugurated by NEHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, aims to connect the academic community with the latest academic resources from 17 participating publishers, distributors, and booksellers. The fair will feature a wide array of print and electronic publications, providing faculty, students, and research scholars an opportunity to explore, purchase, and recommend books pertinent to their academic fields. Organised in alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, the event seeks to support curricular updates and offer up-to-date academic resources. Since its establis...

Today at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, a workshop on "Recent Achievements of ISRO in Space Physics" was led by Dr. T.K. Sundara Murthy, a distinguished scientist in India's space research program. The University's Physics Department hosted the session with the goal of inspiring upcoming scholars and educating students about ISRO's important contributions to the area. Along with Mrs. S Bharathi Murthy and Mr. Pranesh Debnath from Vyomika Space, Dr. Murthy gave a thorough history of ISRO, emphasizing important missions such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan. He described the organization's technological innovations and how they have affected space physics research. Throughout his more than four decades of devoted devotion to ISRO, Dr. Murthy has been instrumental in ...

Meghalaya Police in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF), apprehended an Indian woman and seized counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 70,000 near the international border in the South West Khasi Hills district. The operation took place on November 2, following specific intelligence regarding counterfeit activities. A joint team from the 193rd Battalion of the BSF and state police conducted a search at a residence in the Gumaghat area, where they uncovered fake Indian currency notes, all in Rs 500 denominations, totaling Rs 70,000. The arrested woman, along with the counterfeit currency, has been handed over to the Ranikor Police Station for further investigation and appropriate legal proceedings. This operation comes on the heels of another successful crackdown by the B...

The proposed transfer of forest land for industrial development by the Meghalaya government has been met with opposition from the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization. The organization will file a petition against the handover, citing serious risks to the community's health and the local environment. On November 4, at Lower Lachumiere in Shillong, the HITO will deliver its appeal to the Director of the Government of Meghalaya's Soil & Water Conservation Department. Particularly, the industrial expansion in the CTI Byrni area is a serious problem that endangers the ecology and wildlife. The scheduled public hearing for Meghatop Cement Pvt Ltd's construction of a new cement mill in Wahiajer Narpuh, East Jaiñtia Hills District, Meghalaya, was met with significant opposi...

On October 31, Border Security Force officers stopped a car carrying food supplies that were being smuggled into Bangladesh in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. At the Barmanbari T-junction, close to the international border, members of the 193rd Battalion BSF halted the vehicle in response to particular intelligence. The confiscated goods were being transported illegally across international borders. A cosmetics smuggling operation in the same area was thwarted earlier on October 25 by BSF officers, who confiscated 12 cartons of Skin Shine ointment valued at Rs 12 lakh. The illegal goods, which were thought to be headed for Bangladesh, were found concealed in a thick jungle close to the international border. The confiscated items have been turned over to Pynursla customs...

The huge disparity in air quality between two Meghalayan cities has brought attention to the state's escalating environmental problems. Although Shillong continues to be one of the cleanest cities in India, Byrnihat, which is only 75 kilometers away, is one of the most polluted places in the country. Shillong has much cleaner air than Byrnihat, which has a dangerous AQI of 276 according to recent Central Pollution Control Board air quality readings. This discrepancy highlights the effects of Byrnihat's industrial belt's fast industrialization. After inspections conducted by Forest & Environment Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, officials closed six industrial units last month, bringing Byrnihat's pollution problem to a head. The closed plants have disregarded the Meghalaya Sta...

A sharp contrast in air quality between Shillong and Byrnihat has underscored environmental challenges for Meghalaya. While Shillong enjoys one of India's cleanest atmospheres, just 75 kilometers away, Byrnihat battles pollution levels that rank it among the nation’s most affected areas. Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) places Byrnihat’s AQI at a hazardous 276, in stark contrast to Shillong’s fresh air. This divide illustrates the toll of Byrnihat’s rapid industrial growth. The pollution crisis escalated last month, prompting authorities to close six industrial units after inspections led by Forest & Environment Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar. The facilities had PM2.5 concentrations nearly double the permissible limit and lacked required pollution cont...