Meghalaya

Opposition against the proposed Shree Cement plant intensified as members of the Jaintia National Council (JNC) and Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) staged a protest during the public hearing, alleging that the process was not being conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The organizations also raised serious concerns over the land acquisition linked to the proposed project, claiming that the land was allegedly purchased by a non-tribal individual, which they said violates the rules and provisions of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC). Protesters argued that such transactions go against the protections meant for tribal land in the region. The demonstrators further warned that the cement plant could lead to several long-term environmental and social problems, inc...

Farmers in Shangpung area of West Jaiñtia Hills district will now have year-round access to their agricultural fields following the inauguration of a new hanging footbridge over the Umyurem River on Saturday.The footbridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 49.98 lakh, was funded by the District Rural Development Agency through the office of the Deputy Commissioner. The project aims to improve connectivity for villagers whose farmlands often become inaccessible during the monsoon season due to rising river water levels.According to local officials, the bridge directly connects agricultural paddies located across the river and is expected to benefit farmers who have long faced difficulties during heavy rainfall and floods. For several years, overflowing water in the Umyurem River disrupted cu...

A new study has found that centuries-old Khasi community conservation systems continue to play a major role in protecting forests, water sources and biodiversity in Meghalaya despite increasing pressure from mining, quarrying and commercial agriculture.The research, published in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, was conducted by North East Society for Agroecology Support researcher Bhogtoram Mawroh. The study examined how Khasi communities continue to manage natural resources through customary laws and traditional governance systems that regulate forests, agriculture and water use.The research focused on five villages in East Khasi Hills district — Ladmawphlang, Nongwah, Umsawwar, Nongtraw and Dewlieh — and documented how traditional institutions still influence environme...

BJP leader and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak has raised questions over alleged "differential treatment" by the State Government in cases linked to the Garo Hills unrest, asking if there is a "nexus" between the Chief Minister and former Phulbari MLA Esmatur Mominin. In a statement, Marak said, "The detention of Garo leaders alongside the release of Muslim leaders raises concerns about impartiality by the State Government." He asked, "Is the State Government favoring Muslim leaders like Mominin and Rehman while unfairly targeting Garo leaders who were defending tribal rights?" Marak alleged that "the Muslim leaders have allegedly incited communal tensions through social media and with the help of outsiders." He further claimed, “Mominin also claimed that he talked to CM before coming to ...

Dismissing rampant speculation of an immediate jump to the BJP or a "homecoming" to the Congress, insiders close to Dr Mukul Sangma say the veteran leader has adopted a tactical "freeze" on his political future, opting to wait until next year to decide which banner he will carry into the next assembly election. The prolonged silence from the state's most formidable challenger comes as a blow to a primary opposition already struggling for momentum. While rumors have long circulated regarding his return to the Congress or a shift to the saffron fold, a more startling theory has recently emerged: a potential alignment with his arch-rivals, the National People's Party (NPP). "He is currently quiet and has not made up his mind. Any major decision will only be taken next year afte...

Meghalaya has emerged as one of the first northeastern states where field operations under Phase I of Census 2027 have officially begun, marking a major step in the Centre’s push towards a fully digital census exercise across the country. The House listing and Housing Census (HLO) operations have commenced in Meghalaya along with Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi area, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The exercise forms part of the wider nationwide Census 2027 process, which is being conducted using digital tools for the first time while continuing the traditional door-to-door survey method. Arunachal Pradesh is also among the states where house-to-house house listing operations by enumerators are currently underway. Officials said e...

Policymakers, financiers and industry leaders will gather in Shillong on June 11-12Conrad Sangma said Meghalaya’s economy has doubled over the past five years He said capital investment in the state has risen fourfold since 2018 Meghalaya will host the North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (NEIINFRA) on June 11 and 12, bringing together policymakers, investors, financial institutions and industry leaders to discuss infrastructure expansion, regional connectivity and investment opportunities across the Northeast. Announcing the summit at an event in Shillong, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the state’s economy has doubled over the past five years, while capital investment has increased fourfold since 2018. Sangma said sustained economic growth over the la...

Data revealed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for Meghalaya for the year 2024 has raised concerns over the state’s low charge-sheeting and conviction rates despite thousands of cases being registered during the year. According to the NCRB, Meghalaya registered 3,986 IPC/BNS cases and 753 cases under Special and Local Laws (SLL) in 2024. The state recorded a crime rate of 117.7 per lakh population, lower than Assam and several other northeastern states. However, only a small proportion of registered cases resulted in convictions. During 2024, only 466 accused persons were convicted in IPC/BNS and SLL cases combined, while 1,007 accused were acquitted and another 438 discharged. The NCRB data also brought to the fore that Meghalaya’s charge-sheeting rate stood at 30.6 pe...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced that the state is all geared up to host the National Games next year, stressing that the much-anticipated event will be more of a Northeast story with the participation of Meghalaya’s neighbouring states. During a recent CM Connect session held in Shillong, while replying to a query on National Games raised by J.W. Nongrum, headman of Cleve Colony, Sangma informed that Home Minister Amit Shah and Indian Olympic Association Chairperson P.T. Usha had requested the Chief Minister to take other northeastern states on board for the event, making it a “Northeast story.” Emphasizing that Meghalaya will be the host city, Sangma informed that 36 to 38 disciplines will be held in Meghalaya, Manipur will host 2 disciplines while the rest of the Nor...

A World Bank delegation visited Sohra in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district to review key healthcare and adolescent welfare initiatives being implemented under the Meghalaya Health Project and the MPOWER programme. The team visited the Sohra Community Health Centre (CHC), which is being upgraded into a First Referral Unit (FRU) under the state’s Service Delivery Redesign initiative supported by the Meghalaya Health Project. Officials said the CHC has also been activated for IPA/OBB through state-supported Outcome Based Budgeting, aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes at the grassroots level. During the visit, the delegation reviewed the functioning of the facility and assessed efforts to improve referral healthcare services in the region. The W...