Meghalaya

The 172nd Battalion of BSF Meghalaya distributed sports equipment to villagers in Kuliang and Huroi, located along the Indo- Bangladesh border in East Jaintia Hills, the BSF Meghalaya said in a press release. In a post on X, BSF Meghalaya stated, "On February 5, 2025, the 172 Bn #BSFMeghalaya organized Civic Action Programmes at Kulyaing and Huroi in the border areas and distributed essential items to students. The BSF remains committed to community welfare and education." The Civic Action Programmes were organised at Borsara Playground, East Jaintia Hills district, on Wednesday as part of efforts to ensure the well- being of people living along the Indo-Bangladesh border. During the programme, the BSF distributed sports items to the villagers of the bordering villages of Kuliang, Bors...

Union Finance Minister and Corporate Affairs Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman will arrive in Shillong on February 27 for a day’s visit. The Union Finance Minister, during her visit, will lay the foundation stone of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Integrated Complex at Umsawli, New Shillong Township. The Union minister is also expected to hold a post-Budget interaction with the industry players, Chartered Accountants, Tax Consultants, et al, in the city on the same day.

Negotiations are reportedly moving forward briskly, and the land acquisition procedure for Shillong Airport's expansion has proceeded to a new stage. A detailed survey conducted at the airport revealed that an additional 16-17 acres of land would be required to facilitate the expansion. The proposed expansion aims to enable the operation of larger aircraft, thus improving air connectivity in Meghalaya. Sources confirmed that the Transport department is the primary agency handling the land acquisition proceedings. “Most of the villagers in the area concerned are on board with the acquisition process. Various reports are being compiled and will soon be submitted to the Transport Department for further action,” a source stated. The Shillong Airport, located at Umroi, has seen a renewed pu...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reaffirmed the state’s commitment to deepening ties with Japan, leveraging India’s strong bilateral relations with the country. Speaking at the 5th India-Japan Conclave in Guwahati, Sangma highlighted Meghalaya’s initiatives to create employment and skill development opportunities for youth in Japan. He announced an ambitious plan to train and send 3,000 nurses to Japan, with the possibility of expanding the number to 5,000. “The Meghalaya government is covering training costs and ensuring the well-being of youth working abroad. I personally accompanied the first batch to Japan—50 nurses are already employed, and 500 are learning Japanese,” he stated. Beyond healthcare, the state is exploring collaborations in other skill sectors, recognizing t...

In a significant boost to Meghalaya’s railway connectivity, Indian Railways has successfully delivered its first freight shipment at Mendipathar railway station in North Garo Hills. The milestone is expected to enhance logistics and strengthen the transportation network in the region. The shipment, consisting of 21 wagons of foodgrains for the Food Corporation of India (FCI), arrived at Mendipathar station on February 4 at 9:20 AM and was placed for unloading at 9:40 AM. Officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) confirmed that this marks the first-ever unloading of a goods train in the hill state, further integrating Meghalaya into the country’s freight movement system. “Mendipathar railway station is set to emerge as a crucial hub for freight operations in Meghalaya. This de...

At the 4th WAKO India Open International Kickboxing Tournament held at K D Jadhav, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex from 1st - 5th February 2025, once again Babit Kharsahnoh of Nongpyrdet Ri-Bhoi District and Smit Liamthaw with a ranking of World No.10 in 2021 in Kickboxing retained his International title for the K1 Rules event below 51 Kgs Senior Men category as the National Ranking Kickboxer clinching the Gold medal against his own counterpart new entrant Kerborlang Hing from Bhoirymbong Ri-Bhoi District. Babit Kharsahnoh himself has his own Tribal Combat Academy at Madanriting.  At the same time Evangel Pohplet (K1 Rules below 52 kgs Women Senior category of Riat Laban Kynjatphutbol and a student of Lady Keane's College Shillong BA 4th Semester wins against the Asian Kickboxing Silve...

The only railway station in Meghalaya, the Mendipathar Railway Station in Garo Hills, which is part of the Rangiya division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), achieved a historic milestone for railway logistics in the Northeastern region on Tuesday by unloading a goods rake for the first time. This comes at a time when the railway is facing fierce opposition in Khasi Hills due to fears of influx. “The rake, comprising 21 wagons of food grains for Food Corporation of India, arrived at Mendipathar station at 9:20 am, and was placed for unloading at 9:40 am, marking the first-ever occasion of goods train unloading in Meghalaya,” NFR informed in a statement issued here on Thursday. Operational since August 29, 2014, Mendipathar railway station is the first railway station in Megha...

Hinting at a storm of irregularities that is brewing in licensing of wine stores in the region, RTI activist Disparsing Rani has accused authorities of allowing illegal wine store operations by bypassing established protocols and, in some cases, resorting to forgery to secure mandatory clearances. Every wine store in the area is required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local headman, along with strict adherence to guidelines concerning the distance of these establishments from schools and other sensitive areas. “Any wine store must obtain an NOC and follow the designated safety protocols. However, in certain parts of the ‘polo area’, stores are operating without these approvals, and there are even allegations that documents have been forged to meet these requirements,”...

In a major crackdown on polluters, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) has shut down six industrial units in Byrnihat for failing to comply with environmental norms. The action follows inspections conducted in the industrial belt on January 24, 27, and 31, revealing severe lapses in pollution control measures. The industrial hub of Byrnihat, located along the Assam-Meghalaya border in the Ri-Bhoi district, has been a repeated offender in pollution-related violations. Despite previous warnings and actions by regulatory authorities, industries in the area continue to flout environmental norms, raising concerns about air and water pollution levels affecting local communities. The units served closure notices include Shyam Century Ferrous Ltd, Khasi Alloys Ltd, SR (India) B...

Police have arrested another person in connection with the bomb threat case. On January 23, police had arrested Edward Maiong for issuing an SMS threatening to plant multiple bombs in the city. While the police are trying to establish if the duo is linked to any militant group, it has been ascertained that this was the first time Maiong had issued such a threat. Earlier, a person filed an FIR that he received an SMS from an unknown number threatening to plant multiple bombs in the city. The sender of the message had identified himself as a member of the “Ri-Bhoi gang”.Following this, police arrested Maiong from his temporary residence at Lower New Colony, Laitumkhrah.