Meghalaya

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma visited the flood-affected districts of West and South Garo Hills on October 8 to assess the extensive damage caused by recent heavy rainfall and to review ongoing relief efforts. The Chief Minister’s visit follows a series of devastating floods that have tragically claimed the lives of 17 individuals in the region. During his time in Garo Hills, CM Sangma met with the families of the deceased, offering his heartfelt condolences and support. In a poignant moment, he provided ex-gratia compensation to the widow of (Late) Bijoy Marak, a teacher whose vehicle was swept away by floodwaters, resulting in the loss of his life and that of his son, Wian Chigado R. Marak, in Rongkhon Songgital. The Chief Minister also handed over a cheque of ₹8 lakhs (₹4 lakh for...

Meghalaya's State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is ramping up its relief operations in the flood-hit Garo Hills, where flash floods and landslides have claimed 15 lives amid relentless rainfall since October 4. The SDRF, in coordination with local authorities, continues to distribute essential relief materials in the worst-affected areas of West Garo Hills, particularly in Dalu C&RD Block. Teams have also been dispatched to deliver supplies to remote villages, including South Kujikura, Rengrampara, and Adanggri. In Barongpara, the rescue team used makeshift rafts and ropes to cross the swollen river and reach stranded residents with much-needed relief. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's Office, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), shared the tragic news of two victims, Amerin K Mara...

Meghalaya is reeling under the impact of heavy rainfall, with West Garo Hills district emerging as the most severely affected area. Reports indicate that at least three lives have been lost, and numerous others have sustained injuries due to the relentless downpour. The ongoing flash floods and landslides have wreaked havoc throughout the state, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue warnings of very heavy rainfall expected in West Garo Hills over the next 24 hours. In light of the situation, the State Disaster Management Authority has urged residents to remain cautious, as thunderstorms, lightning, and exceptionally heavy rainfall are anticipated across various locations in the district. Tragically, on October 4, a landslide in Dalu village claimed the life of Sa...

The National People’s Party (NPP) and the Voice of the People Party (VPP) have come together to advocate for the creation of a civil subdivision in Mawsynram. During a protest organized by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) at Madan Malki in Shillong, leaders from both parties voiced their strong support for upgrading the Mawsynram Block to a Civil Sub-Division. VPP leader Rusievan Shangpliang called on the local community to unite in their efforts to establish the Mawsynram Civil Sub-Division, emphasizing the importance of collective action. The push for this development is not new. The KSU Sawsymper Circle, along with the KSU Balat Border Area Circle and the KSU Lawbah Border Area Circle, has previously announced plans for a sit-in demonstration in Mawsynram on August 10. This move a...

The Meghalaya government has officially sanctioned the proposal for the upgrade of Umroi Airport, as presented by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This decision marks a significant step forward in enhancing the state's air travel infrastructure. During a hearing at the Meghalaya High Court, the government confirmed its agreement to the requirements outlined by the AAI in a letter dated September 27, 2024. Deputy Solicitor General Nitesh Mozika, representing the AAI, expressed gratitude for the government's approval and requested eight weeks to finalize the proposal for submission to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The court recognized this approval as the initial step toward the airport's expansion and scheduled the next hearing for October 24. However, previ...

The Meghalaya Police apprehended 10 Bangladeshi nationals traveling in an autorickshaw from Purakhasia on September 30. The arrest followed specific intelligence received from the Border Security Force (BSF), leading to a coordinated effort by local police. Acting on the tip-off from the 50 Battalion BSF, officials from the ZigZag Police Station established a mobile checkpoint on State Highway-12 between Dalu and Ampati. However, they were informed that the Bangladeshi nationals had already crossed the area. Swift action allowed the police to intercept and apprehend them shortly thereafter. The apprehended individuals were subsequently produced in court, with further investigations underway to ascertain the details surrounding their entry into India. This incident follows another re...

The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), a banned organization in Meghalaya, has issued a call to action against the “Cow Yatra” movement, urging Hindus in the state to oppose its entry. Sainkupar Nongtraw, the general secretary and publicity secretary of HNLC, stated that the group would not tolerate any interference in local dietary practices. He warned that the HNLC would disrupt Hindu religious celebrations if the Cow Protection Group continued its efforts. Nongtraw’s statement was in response to recent declarations by cow protection activists about their plans in Meghalaya. He characterized these statements as provocative and warned that they could escalate tensions in the region. The HNLC expressed concerns about potential cow vigilantism in Meghalaya, citing incidents...