Saturday, August 29

Meghalaya

Captain Williamson Sangma State University officially begins classes with 174 students
Meghalaya, Shillong

Captain Williamson Sangma State University officially begins classes with 174 students

SHILLONG: Captain Williamson Sangma State University achieved a landmark moment on Tuesday as it officially launched academic operations with 274 students across its Tura and Shillong campuses, marking the culmination of a 14-year journey from legislative vision to educational reality. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the milestone on social media, declaring, "Proud to Announce the Beginning of a New Chapter Today marks a historic milestone as we welcome 274 students to Capt. Williamson Sangma State University. The induction ceremony will take place in Tura and at our Shillong Regional Campus. What was once a vision is now a reality, Meghalaya's first State University officially begins its academic journey this year." The development represents a breakthrough for hig...
Defending champs Lajong held by Rangdajied in Shillong Premier League thriller
Meghalaya

Defending champs Lajong held by Rangdajied in Shillong Premier League thriller

SHILLONG: Rangdajied United and reigning champions Shillong Lajong played out an entertaining yet goalless draw in their Shillong Premier League 2025 match at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo. The game moved fast, from end to end, typical of the high quality that both clubs bring to the pitch. Both sides were energetic and physical, but ultimately they were unable to exploit the chances that each team had and thus had to settle for a point each. This was the second draw of the season and first one to be without a goal. Lajong beat Rangdajied twice in SPL 2024 and in other competitions over the past year, such as the Meghalaya State League and Durand Cup. Today, however, both sides struggled to score after going through numerous personnel changes ahead of the new season. ...
KSU stages sit-in protest at Police Bazar over illegal influx
Meghalaya

KSU stages sit-in protest at Police Bazar over illegal influx

The Khasi Students' Union (KSU) hold a sit-in protest on Monday at Police Bazar (Khyndai Lad), in front of the old Assembly building, as part of a larger campaign led by the North East Students' Organisation (NESO). NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa stated that the protest is aimed at pressuring both state governments and the Centre to take urgent and effective action against the long-standing issue of illegal immigration in the region, particularly from Bangladesh. He pointed out that illegal infiltration has been a persistent problem since India's independence and has led to unrest and mass movements in states like Assam and Meghalaya. Jyrwa stressed that the situation can no longer be ignored and called for strong measures to address the issue. KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah echoed...
Meghalaya police arrest Manipuri women with heroin worth over Rs 4 crore in East Jaintia Hills
Meghalaya

Meghalaya police arrest Manipuri women with heroin worth over Rs 4 crore in East Jaintia Hills

Meghalaya's Anti-Narcotics Task Force dealt a significant blow to inter-state drug trafficking networks on Sunday, seizing heroin worth Rs 4.4 crore and arresting four suspects in coordinated operations across East Jaintia Hills district. The breakthrough came after intelligence reports on August 16 identified vehicles transporting narcotics from Churachandpur in Manipur to Shillong. Acting swiftly, joint teams of ANTF and district police established checkpoints at strategic locations along the trafficking route. The larger operation unfolded at Umkiang Police Patrol Post around 11:00 am, where officers intercepted a Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. A thorough search conducted in the presence of independent witnesses yielded four travel bags containing 961.33 grams of heroin packaged in 80 soap...
HITO hoists Khasi State Flag at Lum Shillong, seeks Governor’s role in upholding treaty commitments
Meghalaya

HITO hoists Khasi State Flag at Lum Shillong, seeks Governor’s role in upholding treaty commitments

The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) on Sunday reignited the debate over the constitutional recognition of Khasi and Jaiñtia rights by hoisting the Khasi State flag at Lum Shillong. The symbolic act coincided with the 77th anniversary of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement signed on August 17, 1948, between the Khasi states and the Union of India. HITO, a socio-political body formed in 2021, marked the day by submitting a memorandum to Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar, urging his direct intervention to ensure that long-pending directives of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are acted upon. The NCST, in its recommendations issued in April 2012 and again in late 2014, had stressed that treaty agreements signed by Khasi states sh...
Meghalaya’s HITO raises Khasi state flag at Lum Shillong, urges Guv intervention on treaty commitments
Meghalaya

Meghalaya’s HITO raises Khasi state flag at Lum Shillong, urges Guv intervention on treaty commitments

The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) today hoisted the Khasi State flag at Lum Shillong, renewing its demand for the government of Meghalaya to act on long-pending directives from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). The NCST, in its directives of April 2012 and October–November 2014, had called for the incorporation of treaty agreements between the Khasi states and the Union of India into the Constitution as a special Article, to safeguard the rights of the Khasi and Jaiñtia people. Marking the anniversary of the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement signed on August 17, 1948, HITO also submitted a memorandum to Governor C. H. Vijayashankar, urging his intervention. The organization reminded that the agreement, signed by then Governor-Gene...
Sangma congratulates 2 Meghalaya girls for making it to Indian squad for SAFF U-17 championship
Meghalaya

Sangma congratulates 2 Meghalaya girls for making it to Indian squad for SAFF U-17 championship

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Sunday congratulated two footballers from the state for making it to the 23-member Indian squad for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-17 Women's Championship to be held in Bhutan. The two players are Bonifilia Shullai, a midfielder from Shillong, and Alisha Lyngdoh, a defender from East Jaintia Hills. "I am proud to see the names of two players from Meghalaya in the 23-member Indian National Squad for this year's SAFF U-17 Women's Championship," Sangma said in a post on X. He extended his best wishes to the young footballers. "Let’s cheer for Team India!" he wrote on his official X handle. The SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship will serve as a platform for budding talent across South Asia, and the inclusion of Shullai and Lyngdoh hi...
Judges must heal society with empathy, not just legal rulings: Ex-CJI Chandrachud in Meghalaya
Meghalaya

Judges must heal society with empathy, not just legal rulings: Ex-CJI Chandrachud in Meghalaya

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice D. Y. Chandrachud on Friday underlined the responsibility of judges to act not only as interpreters of the law but also as healers of society. Delivering the Independence Day address at the Meghalaya High Court in Shillong, he said that empathy and compassion must guide the judiciary in its relationship with the people. “Sometimes, just giving a citizen a patient hearing is an act of healing,” Justice Chandrachud remarked, stressing that judgments alone cannot resolve the deeper wounds of society. He observed that citizens often approach the courts not merely for legal relief but also for reassurance that justice is alive, accessible, and humane. Reflecting on the spirit of Independence, the former CJI said freedom was not confined to libe...
Miscreants lob petrol bomb at Police vehicle in Shillong
Meghalaya

Miscreants lob petrol bomb at Police vehicle in Shillong

A vehicle parked near the Pasture Beat House in Lawmali, Shillong, was damaged after unidentified individuals hurled a petrol bomb at it early Friday morning, according to police. The attack occurred around 1:30 am when the vehicle, bearing registration number ML 05 L 3840 and reportedly in use by the Pasture Beat House police, was stationed close to the outpost. Footage from the scene showed fire damage concentrated in the front section, particularly near the driver’s seat. Authorities said the blaze was quickly contained, preventing further destruction. No injuries were reported. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those responsible. Police have not ruled out any motive and are reviewing surveillance footage from the area.
Meghalaya CM targets USD 16 billion economy by 2032, unveils roadmap for 2047
Meghalaya

Meghalaya CM targets USD 16 billion economy by 2032, unveils roadmap for 2047

Meghalaya is on track to achieve its goal of becoming a USD 16 billion economy by 2032 when the state will turn 60, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Friday. Addressing the Independence Day event here, he also said that by 2047, the year marking India's 100th year of independence, Meghalaya aims to be a USD 100 billion economy and among the country’s top 10 states in per capita income state and Sustainable Development Goals. The CM also highlighted progress in law and order, including advancement in the Assam-Meghalaya border settlement, adoption of e-Sakshya, e-FIR, and expansion of forensic capabilities. Meghalaya CM outlines vision for USD 16 billion economy by 2032. Meghalaya aims for USD 100 billion economy by 2047. Infrastructure and tourism developments among key initiatives. ...