Meghalaya

The Transport Department has issued a public notice strictly prohibiting the renting of private two-wheelers and four-wheelers for commercial purposes in Meghalaya. The notification comes in the wake of a police investigation into the murder of Indore native Raja Raghuvanshi, revealing that he, along with his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi and the three accused in the alleged murder of Raja, had rented two-wheelers from Shillong to travel to Sohra and commit the crime. “This is to inform the general public that engaging in the business of renting out private two-wheelers and four-wheelers for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited in the State of Meghalaya,” stated David D. Sangma, Commissioner of Transport, in the notice issued on June 13. Sangma clarified that rent-a-motorcycle or rent-a...

The East Khasi Hills district administration on Friday imposed restrictions on holding rallies and demonstrations within 200 metres of the Meghalaya secretariat building, additional secretariat building and Raj Bhavan here, officials said. The order came hours after members of pro-ILP activists staged a rally in front of the secretariat earlier in the day demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the state. "...such demonstration, if allowed to be held, will cause obstruction, hinder the movement of traffic and lead to crowding and congestion and may also result in disturbance of public peace and tranquillity," an order issued by East Khasi Hills district Commissioner RM Kurbah stated.

In the wake of a protest demanding Inner Line Permit (ILP) implementation, the East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed a ban on rallies, demonstrations, and gatherings within 200 metres of key government buildings in Shillong. The restriction applies to the Meghalaya Secretariat, Additional Secretariat, and Raj Bhavan, according to an order issued by District Commissioner R.M. Kurbah on Friday. The decision follows a rally earlier in the day by pro-ILP activists held right in front of the Secretariat, drawing large crowds and raising security concerns. The DC said such gatherings obstruct traffic, lead to crowding, and may disturb public peace and law and order. “Demonstrations in such sensitive areas can cause inconvenience and pose a potential threat to safety,” the offi...

By leasing 273 acres of underutilized property to the tourist department, the Meghalaya Cabinet has approved a major effort to boost the state's tourism industry. Meghalaya Electric Corporation Ltd. and its affiliates control this land, which is close to the charming Umiam Lake. The lease has a 60-year term with a 30-year extension option. Paul Lyngdoh, the cabinet spokesperson and minister of tourism, revealed the idea to generate revenue from this area through a number of tourism initiatives. The tourist department organizes new projects, such as lake cruise services and five-star hotels. Following recommendations from the government, several projects are expected to start within the next year. By utilizing the natural beauty of the Umiam Lake region, this calculated approach is anti...

The Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), successfully concluded the two-day District Nutrition Leadership Workshop in Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong on June 12–13, 2025. The workshop convened Ministers, senior officials, Deputy Commissioners, Block Development Officers, District Officials representing Health, Social Welfare, C&RD (MSRLS) Education and allied Departments under the Human Development Council (HDC) from across all 12 districts to strengthen leadership, data-based planning, and decentralised actions to tackle malnutrition in Meghalaya. In his keynote address, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma emphasized the importance of having a shared purpose and collective vision across departments when addr...

In a chilling development, Sonam Raghuvanshi has confessed to her involvement in the murder conspiracy of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based businessman, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. However, police say the main mastermind behind the killing remains uncertain. According to Deputy Inspector General DNR Marak, Sonam, 24, has accused her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha of being the brains behind the plot, while Kushwaha has blamed Sonam for orchestrating the crime. “Both are pointing fingers at each other. We are yet to determine who planned the murder,” said Marak. Raja’s decomposed body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls in Sohra on June 2, ten days after he and Sonam were reported missing on May 23. The couple had stayed at a homestay in Nongriat, a popular tourist...

The East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police has revealed that the five accused in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi made multiple attempts on his life before ultimately killing him in Sohra. According to the SP, detailed interrogation of three of the accused-Vishal Singh Chauhan, Anand Kurmi, and Akash Rajput-revealed that they were not contract killers. Instead, they were friends and a relative of Raj Kushwaha, and claimed they only helped Raj and Sonam Raghuvanshi in carrying out the murder, not for money but out of association. The police investigation uncovered that the conspiracy to eliminate Raja had been brewing since February this year. One early plan was to fake Sonam's disappearance by staging her drowning in a river. Another involved burning a woman and a scooty to fake Sonam...

Investigations into the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya have revealed a crucial link to Anand Lodge in Guwahati’s Panbazar area. Police have confirmed that three of the accused stayed at the lodge shortly before the crime was committed.The trio—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh, and Anand Kurmi—checked into Room 32 of the lodge on May 19 at 8:30 pm, posing as students. They left for Shillong early the next morning, May 20, just three days before the alleged murder. The case, dubbed “Operation Honeymoon”, took a sensational turn after Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, 24, was arrested for allegedly masterminding the murder. A court in Shillong on Wednesday granted eight-day police custody for Sonam and her accomplices, while police had sought...

In view of ongoing construction work, the East Khasi Hills district police has announced a temporary restriction on vehicular movement through Umshyrpi Bridge in Shillong. The restriction will be enforced for four nights, from June 12 to June 15, 2025, between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM the following day. To manage traffic during this period, vehicles travelling from Upper Shillong towards Umshyrpi Bridge and MES Point will be diverted at 5th Mile towards Pomlakrai, Laitkor, Madanrting, Laitumkhrah and beyond. Similarly, those coming from Lumdiengiri or Old Cherra heading towards Upper Shillong via Umshyrpi Bridge must take the route through Laitumkhrah, Madanrting, Laitkor, Pomlakrai and reconnect at 5th Mile. Emergency service vehicles will be exempted from the restriction and will be g...

Three men accused of murdering businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya had stayed at Anand Lodge in Panbazar, Guwahati, before carrying out the crime, investigation reveals. Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh, and Anand Kurmi checked into room number 32 at the lodge on May 19 at 8:30 pm, posing as students. The trio left for Shillong early the next morning at 5:30 am on May 20, just three days before the murder took place. A Shillong court on Wednesday granted eight-day police custody to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the 24-year-old wife who allegedly orchestrated her husband's murder, along with her four accomplices. Police had sought 10 days of remand for all the accused. "The court granted 8 days of police custody," said East Khasi Hills district SP Vivek Syiem. The special inve...