Meghalaya

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...

Over 10,000 people in Meghalaya have registered for 300 constable vacancies in the Border Security Force (BSF), prompting the force to extend its ongoing recruitment drive in the state till September 18, officials said on Saturday. The overwhelming turnout reflects the enthusiasm of young men and women from across the state, many of whom travelled from remote villages to take part in the rally, a BSF spokesperson said. The recruitment drive, organised by the Meghalaya Frontier Headquarters of the BSF, is being held at two centres in Tura and Shillong. Notably, the recruitment has recorded a 70:30 male-to-female participation ratio, highlighting the growing aspiration of young women to join the force. “With this extension, the BSF reaffirms its commitment to empowering local youth an...

A suspected case of domestic violence has shocked Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills after the bodies of a young woman and her two minor daughters were found under mysterious circumstances on Sunday, September 14. The deceased has been identified as Rippa Das (24), wife of Arpan Das of Baraitoli, Katigorah in Assam’s Cachar district. Her two daughters, Arpita Das (5) and six-month-old Panchami Das, were also found dead inside their residence. According to reports, Arpan, who works in a local cement factory, left for duty on Sunday morning, leaving behind his wife and children. On his return in the evening, he allegedly discovered their lifeless bodies. Soon after, he informed Rippa’s father, who rushed to Katigorah Police Station in Assam and lodged a complaint, alleging foul play. The ...

The Closing Ceremony of the joint military exercise between Indian and Royal Thai Army, 'Exercise MAITREE-XIV'  was held at Foreign Training Node,Umroi Cantt on 14 Sep 2025. The aim of the exercise was to achieve inter-operability and to acquaint each other with operational procedures and combat drills. It was evident from what was witnessed that both the armies were able to achieve this aim. The exercise was conducted under the United Nations (UN) mandate. Both the contingents jointly participated in all the tactical drills as well as operational discussions. The exercise culminated with a 48 hour validation exercise which included creation of Temporary Operating Base (TOB), establishing an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) grid, isolation of village, Heliborne ...

The Meghalaya government has declared a three-day State Mourning from September 13-15 following the demise of former Chief Minister Donwa Dethwelson Lapang, popularly known as Dr D.D. Lapang or "Maheh." During the mourning period, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast at all government establishments across the state, and no official entertainment will be held, officials confirmed on Saturday. Commissioner and Secretary, Vijay Kumar Mantri, informed that a state funeral will be held at Student's Field, Jaiaw, on Monday at 1 p.m. Lapang will later be laid to rest at the Jaiaw Presbyterian Church cemetery at Weiking, Jaiaw. The veteran leader passed away on Friday night at Bethany Hospital, Shillong, after a prolonged battle with age-related ailments. He was 96. Lapang is survi...

Former Chief Minister Donwa Dethwelson Lapang, popularly known as Dr DD Lapang, passed away on Friday night at Bethany Hospital, Shillong. He was 93. Family sources said Lapang had been battling age-related ailments for a prolonged period. He is survived by his wife, Amethyst Lynda Jomes Blah, and two children. Born on April 10, 1932, Lapang began his political journey by contesting the 1972 Assembly elections from Nongpoh as an independent candidate, where he was elected MLA. Over the years, he went on to serve as Chief Minister of Meghalaya on four occasions. His first stint as Chief Minister was from 1992 to February 1993. He returned to the post on March 4, 2003, but stepped down on June 15, 2006, following dissidence within the coalition government. Lapang was again sworn in as Ch...

Meghalaya has received an allocation of ₹405.64 crore for the year 2024–25 under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Public Health Engineering Minister Marcuise N. Marak informed the state Assembly on Thursday. The funds, sanctioned by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, are expected to accelerate ongoing projects to provide functional household tap connections across the state. However, Marak noted that the release of funds for 2025–26 is still pending, creating uncertainty for future projects. The minister also drew attention to the pending bills under JJM, which stand at ₹695.01 crore as of August 31, 2025. These bills, owed to contractors working on water supply projects, are yet to be cleared by the Centre. The delay has raised concerns about the pace o...