Meghalaya

Tourist entry to the popular Weisawdong Falls in Meghalaya has been suspended until further notice following prohibitory orders issued by the Sohra Civil Sub-Division administration amid a renewed village dispute. The restrictions were imposed by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mark A. Challam under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and came into effect immediately. The administration said the decision was taken to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents in the area. According to the order, the assembly of five or more people has been prohibited within a 200-metre radius of Weisawdong Falls, including all existing and proposed access routes. The carrying of sticks, machetes, firearms, or any other weapons has also been strictly banned wi...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma called on Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah, in New Delhi on Sunday. The Chief Minister was accompanied by a delegation of church and community leaders from the State. The delegation comprised senior representatives of the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI), the North East India Christian Council (NEICC), the Catholic Church (Archdiocese of Shillong) and the Garo Baptist Convention. During the meeting, the delegation apprised the Union Home Minister of the concerns of the State regarding certain provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), including the proposed amendments to the law, and their bearing on the functioning of religious, educational, charitable and social welfare institutions in Meghalaya. Thes...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on July 3 laid the foundation stone for a new building at Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School in West Jaiñtia Hills and reiterated the state government's commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure across Meghalaya. During his visit to Sohkha under the Amlarem Block, the chief minister also joined the All Sohkha Development Committee in felicitating meritorious students. He later inaugurated the Children and Adolescent Library and Digital Infrastructure at Sohkha Mission Village. Addressing the gathering, Sangma highlighted the government's efforts to improve the education sector over the past eight years. He said more than 2,000 schools have been upgraded across the state, with significant investments made in school infrastr...

The Meghalaya government has expanded its Ka Bos Jong Ngi public transport service by introducing a new route between the Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawlai-Mawiong and Lad Smit, while adding 14 new air-conditioned diesel buses to strengthen Shillong's public transport network. The new buses, inducted under the second phase of the initiative, were flagged off at the ISBT in Shillong on July 3 by Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Chairman and Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare in the presence of Urban Affairs Department Secretary WAM Booth Shadap, Director P.K. Boro and other officials. Addressing the programme, Lamare said the additional buses would benefit students and daily commuters by providing a more reliable and comfortable mode of transport. He noted that 15 buses h...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has expressed serious concern over the state’s sharp rainfall deficit, revealing that the region recorded more than 80 per cent below-normal rainfall in June. He warned that the situation could severely impact agriculture, water availability and rural livelihoods across the state. Addressing a workshop on “Developing State Response for El Niño Preparedness: Strengthening Food and Water Security,” the Chief Minister described the prolonged rainfall shortfall as an “existential crisis” and stressed the need for urgent, coordinated action to address emerging climate challenges. The workshop brought together senior officials, deputy commissioners, agricultural experts and other stakeholders to develop strategies for strengthening preparedness ag...

The Behdieñkhlam festival will take place in Jowai from July 6 to 9. This was announced by Seinraij Jowai president Hercules Toi while addressing the media at the Seiñraij Dorbar Hall in Jowai in Thursday. Speaking at the conference, Dolloi Puramon Kynjing reflected on the success of last year's Behdieñkhlam and extended his congratulations to all participants of the Chaad Niam Behdieñkhlam. He urged the community to continue their support to ensure the smooth execution of this significant celebration by the Niamtre community. He noted that roads, streets, markets, and parking areas will be closed during the festival and expressed hope for divine blessings upon the community throughout the four-day, three-night event. He also encouraged attendees to minimize vehicle use at ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday inaugurated the Centre for Capacity Building and Empowerment of the Presbyterian Church of India, Phase I and Phase II of the project in Shillong. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister underscored the deeper purpose behind the initiative, calling it not just an infrastructure milestone but a platform to transform lives and empower youth. Speaking about his guiding philosophy of “Born to Serve,” he stated that both governance and spiritual institutions share a common mission, to serve people with dedication, humility, and commitment. On concerns surrounding the FCRA Amendment Bill, he spoke of challenges as expressed by churches and faith-based organisations that could affect humanitarian works. “While our paths may di...

The Supreme Court refused to interfere with the order of the High Court as Sonam Raghuvanshi has already been released on bail, but the final hearing will be held on Thursday (July 9). Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar said the final hearing will be held on Thursday, though the SC did not want to interfere with the order of the High Court in upholding the bail, at this juncture. However, the Supreme Court expressed reservations regarding the High Court's observations on typographical error on arrest memo as one of thereasons to grant bail.

The Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) has sought urgent police action against an “alarming rise” in drug peddling and drug abuse in Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong, Shillong. The HCP also suggested a few measures to tackle the menace, including approval to set up a youth volunteer wing to curb narcotics trade in the area. The HPC, in a letter to police authorities, said drug peddlers were openly selling narcotics in the locality despite complaints in the past. The menace has caused “severe social and health hazards” with more and more youth falling prey to drugs. “It is strongly apprehended that these peddlers are deliberately targeting and encouraging the youth of our community with ulterior motives to morally degrade our society and ensure that we cannot stand as respecta...

Meghalaya recorded 32.76 crore digital transactions during the 2025-26 financial year, while the number of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts in the state touched nearly 10 lakh, officials said on Thursday, highlighting steady progress in financial inclusion and digital banking. Speaking at a panel discussion, RBI Shillong General Manager Olden Nongpluh said initiatives such as the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) have widened access to banking services, improved transparency and accelerated the adoption of digital payments. Nongpluh said 98 per cent of bank account holders in Meghalaya now use at least one digital mode of transaction. He added that efforts are continuing to achieve universal an...