Meghalaya

The 31st State Karate Championship began on October 23 at the JN Indoor Stadium in Polo, Shillong, with a record number of participants, reflecting the growing popularity of the sport across Meghalaya. This year’s three-day event has attracted 512 competitors from eight districts, up from 456 last year. Organised by the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA) with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, the championship emphasises discipline, sportsmanship, and talent development. AMKA President Hunlang Lytan said the rising participation highlights the expanding reach of karate in the state. The opening ceremony featured a minute’s silence in memory of AMKA founder Stephan Leong, who passed away on October 23, 2011. Leong is remembered as a pivotal figure in the g...

In a major breakthrough, Meghalaya Police have chargesheeted the case of the sexual assault and murder of a child under Mawlasnai Outpost within 13 days. The accused, Iainehskhem Kharsati (22)of Kalapangti village, Ri-Bhoi, was charged under Nongpoh Women PS Case No. 58/2025 dated October 22, 2025. The case, registered on October 10 after the child’s body was found the previous evening, was investigated by WP/UBSI S. Ryngksai of Umiam PS. SP Vivekanand Singh, IPS, lauded the team’s swift work, saying it fulfilled the police’s commitment to file the chargesheet within two weeks, ensuring justice without delay.

Three women players from the state have been named in the North East Zone team for the upcoming BCCI Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20 Trophy 2025–26. The tournament, which will be held in Nagaland from November 4 to 14, will feature top players from across India’s six zones. The three players — Debasmita Dutta, Riticia Nongbet, and Solina Jaba — have made the final 15-member North East Zone squad. Adding to Meghalaya’s pride, Debasmita Dutta has been appointed the captain of the team, while Baiahunlang Mylliemngap, also from Meghalaya, will serve as the team manager. This strong representation marks a major milestone for Meghalaya’s women’s cricket, reflecting the steady progress the state has made in recent years under the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA). The final squad was a...

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council has passed a resolution formally opposing a controversial government directive that removes the requirement for public consultations before uranium mining can commence in tribal regions. Council leaders expressed alarm over a September memorandum from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that exempts mining projects involving atomic minerals, including uranium, from mandatory public hearings. The directive applies to minerals listed under the amended Mines and Minerals Act of 2023, streamlining approval processes for what the government classifies as critical and strategic resources. Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh presented the resolution during the council session on October 22, describing the policy as a threa...

The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), a banned outfit in Meghalaya, has strongly criticised the state government following the arrest of six youths linked to the seizure of an improvised explosive device (IED) at Umsning market in Ri-Bhoi district on October 12. In a statement, the HNLC described the arrests as acts of “state-sponsored harassment” and claimed that the youths had no connection with the organisation. The group accused authorities of using the arrests to create fear, justify government inaction on pressing issues, and suppress the Hynniewtrep community. The outfit also expressed concern over the re-arrest of recently released individuals, calling it a sign of political opportunism and a lack of transparency. “Those who speak of peace are creating war,” the H...

The stand-off over paddy harvesting at Lapangap village along the Assam-Meghalaya border in West Jaintia Hills district has been resolved, with farmers resuming work on Tuesday under tight security, officials said. The breakthrough was achieved under the joint initiative of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), and traditional leaders, who intervened to defuse tensions between the two communities, they said. In a display of solidarity, villagers from Lakaroi, predominantly Karbis, came forward on Tuesday to assist the Pnar villagers of Lapangap in harvesting paddy, which had been stalled since violence erupted on October 9. Tensions had escalated on October 9 when residents of Tapat in Assam’s Karbi An...

The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, through the Governor of Meghalaya, for urgent intervention over alleged human rights violations linked to the ongoing Assam-Meghalaya border dispute. In its memorandum, HITO accused the Assam government of repeated encroachments into areas under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, resulting in “daily hardships, destruction of property, and threats to livelihood” for residents of border villages. The organisation cited past incidents, including the 2009 Langpih massacre and the 2022 Mukroh firing, as evidence of what it termed “state-sponsored aggression,” claiming Assam has ignored historical boundaries and regional agreements. Most recently, HITO alleged that Assam aut...

The Khasi Students' Union (KSU) Laban Circle has strongly opposed the order issued by East Khasi Hills District Magistrate RM Kurbah on October 15 permitting shops at Mahadev Khola to reopen. In a letter addressed to Kurbah, KSU Laban Circle president Reuben Najiar demanded that the order be revoked immediately. He cautioned that failure to do so would compel the Union to disregard the decisions made during the August 20 meeting convened by Kurbah. Najiar reminded that during the August 20 meeting, the Union had raised several concerns regarding the long-pending issues at Mahadev Khola Dham. By taking law in its own hand, the KSU is trying to undermine the office of the Deputy Commissioner, whose order is legally binding among all pressure groups of Meghalaya. The KSU said that the ...

Mawlai maintained their push for the Shillong Premier League 2025 title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nongrim Hills at the SSA Stadium, Polo, Shillong, on October 17. All goals came in the second half, with Robertson Khongriah scoring twice (54’, 84’) and Banraplang Pyngrope adding one (76’) to secure a comprehensive win. The result lifted Mawlai to 18 points with one game remaining. Shillong Lajong, also on 18 points, can still clinch their sixth SPL crown tomorrow if they defeat Nangkiew Irat. A draw or loss for Lajong would make Mawlai’s final match against Rangdajied United on Monday a potential decider, although Lajong currently hold the head-to-head advantage after a 4-3 victory over Mawlai on October 1. Langsning, having completed all their matches, tops the table on 20 points...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said he has been pursuing the creation of a separate Meghalaya cadre of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) since 2019 and expressed hope that the proposal will soon be achieved. Speaking at the annual conference of the Meghalaya Civil Service Officers' Association (MCSOA) here, Sangma said reforms for the Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) remain a key priority for his government. "I have been pursuing the creation of a separate Meghalaya cadre since 2019, and I am hopeful this will soon be achieved. Reforms for the MCS are a priority, just as they are for other services," he said. The chief minister praised MCS officers for their dedication and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s administrative framework. “At the...