Meghalaya

Meghalaya has directed its district administrations to tighten border surveillance following fears of an influx of displaced individuals from neighbouring Assam. The directive, issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home-Political) Shakil P Ahammed on Wednesday, instructs all deputy commissioners to remain alert and implement measures to control any potential movement of people into the state. The decision comes as Assam continues its eviction operations targeting illegal settlements, raising concerns of spillover into the bordering districts of Meghalaya. Authorities in Meghalaya are tasked with ensuring that law and order remain unaffected and that any attempts at unauthorised entry are addressed promptly.

Over 93,000 labourers from outside the state have registered themselves in Meghalaya under a new legislation that seeks to identify them and ensure their safety and welfare, officials said. The registration drive is being carried out under the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020. As of 2024, a total of 93,282 migrant workers have been registered under the Act, they said, adding that East Khasi Hills accounts for the largest share with 41,242 registrations, followed by East Jaintia Hills at 29,932. Other districts reporting registrations include Ri-Bhoi (10,138), West Khasi Hills (3,820), West Jaintia Hills (3,575), South West Khasi Hills (2,858), West Garo Hills (782), North Garo Hills (372), South Garo Hills (326), East Garo Hills ...

The Meghalaya High Court has sought a response from the Advocate General after a group challenged the provisions of a legislation that restricts issuance of Scheduled Tribes certificates to people who opt to use their father's or husband's surname. The group, Syngkhong Rymphei Thymmai, is seeking to reform or move away from the matrilineal system where lineage and inheritance pass through the mother's line. Several provisions of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997, sought to protect the matrilineal lineage practised by the Khasi tribals in Meghalaya. The high court was hearing a PIL that contests the legal validity of restrictions imposed under the Act and raises concerns over the issuance of Scheduled Tribe certificates to Khasi individuals who ...

The Behdeiñkhlam festival, the largest in Jaintia Hills, was celebrated with a grand display of cultural unity and tradition. The festival featured 64 intricately crafted "rots" from over 28 villages, carried in a procession by Sein Raij Tuber members. The event, rooted in the indigenous Niamtre faith, brought together devotion, cultural expression, and festive enthusiasm, offering prayers for communal well-being and the expulsion of evil.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released an orange alert for three districts in eastern Meghalaya, predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on Wednesday. The districts impacted include East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and East Jaintia Hills, where significant rain is anticipated. Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for Thursday, as the IMD forecasts ongoing rainfall in various regions of the state. Authorities have advised residents to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines.

Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU), Meghalaya’s first fully state-run university, has officially opened its postgraduate admissions for the academic year 2025–26. This marks a major step forward for the state’s higher education sector, particularly in improving access and inclusivity for students across remote and underserved areas. Announcing the development, Registrar A. Ch. Marak confirmed that CWSSU is offering a broad array of postgraduate programmes across its two campuses—Tura and Shillong. The Tura campus, which serves as the university’s permanent location, will offer PG courses in Anthropology, Economics, Education, Environmental Science, Garo, Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology. Meanwhile, the Shillong campus will host courses in...

Meghalaya's first state-run university, Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU), has invited applications for postgraduate programmes for the academic session 2025-26, officials said on Tuesday. Various courses are being offered in the varsity's Tura and Shillong campuses, the University's Registrar, A Ch Marak, told reporters. In the Tura campus, postgraduate programmes are available in Anthropology, Economics, Education, Environmental Science, Garo, Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology.

In a crackdown on tobacco-related violations, Meghalaya Police have issued over 1,100 challans and collected nearly Rs one lakh in fines from individuals smoking in public in East Khasi Hills district alone, officials said on Tuesday. Smoking in public places is a punishable offence under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. "We have collected close to Rs 1 lakh in fine and issued 1,100 challans to individuals who ignored the enforcement of COTPA in past three months," a police officer told reporters. The enforcement drive, targeting violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, has seen Cantonment Beat House and Lumdiengjri Police Station leading the charge with the highest number of bookings. Every police station, outpost, and beat hou...

Shillong Municipal Board authorities on Tuesday carried out an eviction drive in the Khyndailad area here in compliance with the Meghalaya High Court's orders. During the drive, the authorities confiscated goods and dismantled stalls of street vendors who were operating without valid certificates of vending (COV). Acting on a state government directive that set a deadline (July 22) for all unauthorised vendors to vacate the area, the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) officials had been verifying vending permits for the past few days.

Meghalaya suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Kerala in their opening match of the Junior Boys National Football Championship 2025 (Tier 1) for the Dr BC Roy Trophy in Amritsar. Kerala struck first in the Group B clash through Muhammed Mijuwad (10') before Meghalaya equalised via Baniar Kharsahnoh (18') eight minutes later. The score remained 1-1 for the remainder of the first half but Kerala dominated the second session, with four more goals by Jithu B (48'), Mohammed Sinan P (64', 76') and Muhammed Hayan TP (84'). Meghalaya will have to quickly learn its lessons from this encounter and bounce back strongly for its next match in two days' time, which will be against defending champions West Bengal on Wednesday. West Bengal won their opener earlier on July 21 against Tamil N...