Meghalaya

The Meghalaya High Court has instructed the state government to urgently provide land and financial support for establishing crematoria and cemeteries across the state. A division bench of Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh issued the order on Tuesday, following a report from the court-appointed Committee, which met on August 27. The Committee had resolved to set up district-level bodies and move the government to allocate resources for the project. The bench emphasized the urgency of the matter, directing the Committee to expedite the process and ensure coordination with district-level committees, which will function strictly under its supervision. It also asked the Committee to hold frequent meetings to help religious groups work out arrangements for sharing crematori...

The High Court of Meghalaya has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) after the State government reported that there are no illegal religious structures existing in public places. A division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh passed the order on September 2. The case was initiated following a directive from the Supreme Court, which had required States to disclose the presence of unlawful religious structures on public land. In response, the State of Meghalaya submitted a status report dated September 1, 2025. According to the report, all structures previously identified as irregular or illegal in West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills have been regularised. Additional Advocate General K Khan, representing the State, informed the court of the compl...

The 14th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise, 'Maitree-XIV', focusing on counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain, began here on Tuesday. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 120 personnel, is being represented by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, while the Royal Thai Army is represented by 53 personnel from its 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade. The fortnight-long exercise aims to bolster defence cooperation, interoperability and mutual understanding between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, an official said. The training programme places emphasis on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations — two domains where both nations share common security concerns. With the backdrop of regional instability and the growing importance o...

The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 is set to open with a star-studded line-up, featuring Moroccan-born performer Nora Fatehi in her first-ever stage show in India, alongside American singer Jason Derulo and popular band The Script. Widely known for her performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Fatehi's appearance adds global glamour to the festival, which will be staged at JN Stadium. The approach road to Polo Ground will be pedestrianised, creating a walk-through experience of stalls and displays leading to the venue. The stadium is expected to host up to 30,000 visitors, with over 9,000 tickets already sold to tourists outside Meghalaya. The festival has been relocated from Ward's Lake and Polo Grounds after Kurkalang Ground was earmarked for a new cricket stadium. Last year'...

Meghalaya Police have arrested three men from Assam in connection with a major theft racket operating across the Garo Hills and Mankachar region. Authorities also recovered a significant cache of stolen goods, marking a key breakthrough in the ongoing investigation. The first arrest took place on August 29, when 43-year-old Iftakul Islam was caught during a raid in Mankachar. Police seized copper wires, batteries, an abrasive cutting machine linked to theft cases in Ampati, and a pickup truck believed to have been used to transport stolen items. Following interrogation, two more suspects—23-year-old Amirul Islam and 26-year-old Shahidul Islam—were apprehended from the same area. Investigators revealed that all three are part of a larger organised gang involved in stealing from both gov...

The National People's Party (NPP) on Monday celebrated its 13th Foundation Day and the 78th birth anniversary of founder Purno Agitok Sangma at the party office in Lachumiere. The celebration began with flag hoisting by senior leaders Babet K. Sangma and Jied Kurbah, followed by prayers and floral tributes. National People's Youth Front (NPYF) Working President Bajop Pyngrope hailed the late Sangma as a visionary who championed the rights of tribal and minority communities and earned nationwide respect. Founding member Babet K. Sangma recalled the party's formation in 2012 and its expansion across several Northeastern states. He urged the youth to learn from Sangma's speeches and uphold his ideals for society's progress.

People living in rural Meghalaya, who are required to visit district headquarters for various reasons but are facing connectivity issues, may now have a reason to smile. The state government will introduce 90 buses under the Chief Minister's Regional Connectivity Scheme 2025 to connect district headquarters with block and regional headquarters. The scheme aims to strengthen regional connectivity across the state. Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner and Secretary of Transport Department, said the scheme has been initiated after a comprehensive study on connectivity from block headquarters to district headquarters. Acknowledging that there is a gap in connectivity and it is being addressed only by the private enterprise, he said the government will incentivise entrepreneurs who will come forward ...

The Meghalaya High Court has ordered immediate action against numerous unlicensed street vendors operating in Shillong's Laitumkhrah area, directing the Municipal Board to conduct a comprehensive survey and prevent new vendors from setting up shop. The directive came during a hearing on August 29, when Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh reviewed a damning report from the Shillong Municipal Board revealing widespread illegal vending activities. The Municipal Board's report painted a troubling picture of regulatory oversight in the area. Of 122 identified vendors, none possessed valid vending certificates or licenses. The Board classified only 22 as "eligible under the provisions of the scheme," though even these vendors lacked proper documentation. The situation becomes more c...

The tranquil waters of Umiam Lake turned into a vibrant hub of sporting activity on Friday as the Meghalaya Sailing Club launched a special three-day campaign to mark National Sports Day. The event, which began on August 29, brought together young students, seasoned sailors, and adventure enthusiasts with the shared goal of promoting sports, fitness, and the joy of sailing. With 65 participants joining on the opening day, the campaign reflects the growing popularity of water sports in the state and its potential to inspire a new generation of athletes. Under the national initiative “Every State, Every Lake”, the programme seeks to take sailing beyond coastal regions and introduce it to inland water bodies like Umiam, thereby making it more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds. ...

26-year-old youth from Mawlai Nongkwar Block-1, Shillong, was found dead in a railway station toilet in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, shortly after securing a job in the hospitality sector. The deceased, identified as Jonathan Rynjah, had travelled to Kerala in search of work and was discovered on Friday, leaving his family devastated. His parents were informed of the tragedy by the Kerala police but now face the difficult challenge of bringing their son's body home due to financial constraints. The family has appealed to authorities and the state government for urgent support in repatriating the remains. Jonathan's father, Rakesh Shabong, said communication barriers with the Kerala police had left the family uncertain about the exact circumstances of their son's death. He recalled that ...