Meghalaya

The fate of 272 candidates who contestedin the ADC polls in Meghalaya, sealed in EVMC, will be decided on Monday when the results of KHADC and JHADC elections are declared. The counting of votes started at 8 am and the results are likely to be known by noon. As counting is underway and per latest reports, the Voice of the People Party (VPP) has won 3 major seats, including Laitumkhrah-Malki, Mynso-Nongjngi, and Mawlai seats and is leading in several others. VPP candidates Deity Majaw has emerged victorious in Laitumkhrah-Malki and Laiawanlamjinghun Khynriam emerged victorious in Mynso Nongjngi constituencies.   

Following the AdC election and prediction of a hung mandate, MPCC working president Pynshngain N. Syiem on Friday ruled out the idea of his party joining alliance with the NPP in the KHADC, citing opposition from the majority of party members and the state's populace. “As per the wishes of the majority, we would not like to work with the NPP,” Syiem, who was the Deputy CEM in the NPP-led Executive Committee in the KHADC, said after casting his votes at the Lumshyiap community hall polling station. He, however, said Congress was game for discussions if the mandate is fractured and three to four parties need to work together. “We will need to discuss all these possibilities depending on the outcome after the counting on February 24,” he said. Syiem, who is also the party candidate fro...

The Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) election, particularly among the Garo community. The polling, which progressed smoothly along the Assam-Meghalaya border, saw enthusiastic participation. At Athiabari polling station, where 1,049 votes were cast, 90-year-old voter Hersing M Sangma confirmed a peaceful voting process. Independent candidate Lurshai Kharbani noted a historic shift, attributing the increased Garo participation to MLA RG Momin’s influence and his own outreach efforts. The constituency comprises 16,000 Garo and 28,000 Khasi voters, with past elections favoring candidates backed by MLA Momin. The legislator remains confident in Kharbani’s prospects, emphasizing key priorities suc...

Polling is underway for Meghalaya's Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils on Friday amidst tight security, officials said. Voting began at 7 am for 29 constituencies in Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and 29 constituencies in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), they said. Over 13 lakh tribal voters will decide the fate of 158 candidates in the KHADC election and 114 candidates in the JHADC election.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that climate change is a fundamental issue of justice and equity, not just an environmental challenge, during the Climate Investments Coalition for the Global South in New Delhi. Highlighting the disproportionate impact on those contributing the least to climate change, Sangma called for global platforms to address the realities of the Global South. He stressed the importance of traditional conservation knowledge in tackling the crisis. "Our communities’ deep-rooted conservation practices are being promoted for sustainable solutions," he said. Discussing erratic monsoons and extreme weather in Meghalaya, Sangma pointed to agriculture and livelihoods being severely impacted. He underlined the state’s initiatives, such as the "Green Meghalaya...

The controversy surrounding the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has continued to rage with the BJP on Thursday asking the state government to declare if it is a private or government institute. The party also asked the government to clarify why USTM has a higher fee structure compared to most other state-run institutions. The fresh controversy erupted after BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused USTM of issuing fake degrees. The Meghalaya government had rubbished his charge as has the university. BJP’s Meghalaya general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna said, “The university’s definition, as written in its website, is that it is a state private university; meaning it was set up by an act of the State Legislative Assembly in the year 2008. It ...

Indian football team assistant coach Mahesh Gawali praised Meghalaya’s Jawaharlal Nehru (JN) Stadium as "one of the best football grounds in the country" during his inspection on February 18. Gawali visited Shillong to review the stadium and North-Eastern Hill University’s practice ground ahead of two major international matches in March. The All India Football Federation confirmed that JN Stadium will host a FIFA friendly against Maldives on March 19 and an AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25. During the inspection, Gawali assessed the pitch, stands, changing rooms, and ongoing improvements. He also discussed the potential installation of portable changing rooms with Meghalaya Football Association Vice-President Cliff Nongrum. “Establishing permanent facilities...

The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council is allegedly making a fresh bid to recruit vulnerable youth through online radicalisation tactics. This disturbing development coincides with a significant political shift in Bangladesh.  Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, a spurt in militant activities has been witnessed, further emboldening extremist groups across the Northeastern region. These efforts, though not entirely successful, have led some individuals down a dangerous path before eventually surrendering to authorities, reports said. Authorities have noted a concerning trend that online radicalisation has become a primary tool for HNLC to spread its ideology. They also confirmed that few individuals had actually joined the outfit only to surrender later. The HN...