Meghalaya

The Meghalaya government has initiated steps to introduce a separate electoral roll exclusively for Scheduled Tribe (ST) voters in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), in a move aimed at strengthening the protection of indigenous communities.Officials said the proposal is intended to ensure that only tribal voters take part in elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, thereby keeping decision-making within the framework of traditional tribal governance. The plan has been a long-standing demand of indigenous groups in the Garo Hills region. The government believes that such a system will help preserve the demographic balance and political control of tribal communities. It is also expected to protect long-standing customs and land rights in areas governed un...

The Meghalaya High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the proposed Greenfield High-Speed Corridor in Ri-Bhoi district after the state and central authorities assured that all legal procedures and environmental safeguards would be followed. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh heard the petition filed by Pynskhemlang Sohtun. The petition had raised concerns over land acquisition, possible environmental damage, and the proximity of the project to culturally important sites such as Lum Sohpetbneng. During the hearing, authorities informed the court that land acquisition has not yet begun under the National Highways Act, 1956. They said only preliminary steps like surveys and alignment planning are being carried o...

Meghalaya is taking a decisive step toward becoming a regional hub for innovation, marked by the launch of 'PRIME IGNITE 2026'. At a high-profile event held at Lok Bhavan to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day, the state government reinforced its commitment to a citizen-led startup ecosystem. The programme brought together a vibrant mix of student innovators, established entrepreneurs, and state officials, signaling a strategic shift toward structured support and expanded market access for local ventures. Central to the event was the unveiling of three groundbreaking digital platforms designed to bridge critical gaps in the state’s economy. These include a centralized service provider system to streamline enterprise support, a dedicated e-commerce platform for artisans with d...

In a significant push to strengthen Meghalaya’s representation in India’s Civil Services, the Meghalaya Government launched the CM-INSPIRE scheme aimed at empowering young aspirants preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. While announcing the initiative, Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister underscored the importance to bring a change to the decline in the representation of indigenous people in the Indian civil services. “My dear young aspirants of Meghalaya, today marks an important step in supporting the dreams of our youth. For many years, our representation in the civil services has declined. Today, we take a decisive step to change that with the launch of CM-INSPIRE,” he stated. Under the CM-INSPIRE scheme, candidates who successfully cle...

A tragic landslide claimed two lives on Monday evening along the Shillong–Dawki Road, underscoring the severe risks facing commuters on this under-construction highway. The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 PM near Mawlieh, in the vicinity of Lyngkyrdem, while victims from Lumwahnai were reportedly returning home from Shillong. The victims were traveling in a Mahindra Bolero Camper when massive boulders and loose earth suddenly gave way from the hillside, crushing the vehicle beneath the debris. Rescue teams were deployed immediately, working late into the night to clear the wreckage and retrieve the bodies from the crushed vehicle, which had been trapped by the sheer weight of the rockfall. This stretch of the Shillong–Dawki road has long been flagged as a high-risk zone for ...

The Ri Bhoi Tourism and Environmental Development Forum (RBTEDF) has announced the return of its signature Ñiangtaser Festival, also popularly known as the “Ñiang World Cup”, a unique cultural event featuring the traditional insect locally known as “Ñiang” from the Ri Bhoi region in Meghalaya.Speaking on behalf of the Forum, chairman Plielad Tiewsoh informed that the festival would be held on May 8 and 9 at Iewsier, near the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, in collaboration with the Saiden Dorbar Shnong.He said the festival, which is organised once every four years, has become a well-known cultural attraction showcasing the uniqueness of the region and its traditional practices.The two-day event will feature a range of programmes including traditional sports, cultural performances, folk so...

Two persons were killed after a massive boulder crashed onto a Bolero pick-up (ML05 AD 5514) along the Shillong–Pynursla–Dawki road at Mawlieh, near Lyngkyrdem village, on Monday evening. The incident occurred at around 5 pm while the vehicle was descending towards Pynursla. One of the deceased has been identified as Teibor Khongthohrem of Rimassar, while the other victim is reportedly from Pongtung in the Pynursla area. Clearance operations at the site took several hours on Monday night, hampered by persistent rainfall. The stretch has been under risk due to ongoing road-widening work. Authorities had earlier carried out controlled blasting to dislodge precariously hanging boulders that posed a threat to commuters. The two-laning project on the Shillong–Pynursla–Dawki route i...

The Meghalaya government has announced its decision to shelve the proposed Lumpongdeng project in Ri-Bhoi district following consultations with local traditional leaders. The move comes after a meeting with the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Ri-Bhoi (SRSRB), a key body representing village heads in the region. Government Spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla conveyed the decision while addressing the media on Monday. He stated that the government arrived at this conclusion after detailed discussions with local stakeholders, particularly those associated with the Umiam project area. Shylla emphasized that the government is committed to working in consultation with the people and respecting public sentiment. He clarified that there was no attempt to conceal any aspect of the ...

The Union government has asked Meghalaya to carry out a statewide civil defense exercise on April 24, featuring a coordinated mock air raid and a two-minute blackout to test emergency preparedness. The drill, titled “ARMEX-I 2026”, has been mandated by the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defense and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It will be conducted across all districts and involve multiple agencies, including the armed forces, state police, SDRF, fire and emergency services, and departments such as health and power. Authorities said the exercise will unfold in two phases. The first phase, scheduled between 3 pm and 4 pm, will simulate emergency response operations such as search and rescue, firefighting, evacuation and medical assistance. A civil defe...

In a major development, the Meghalaya government has officially excluded Lumpongdeng Island from the proposed Umiam Luxury Resort and Spa project, following sustained protests and environmental concerns raised by the Green-Tech Foundation and local stakeholders. The decision prompted the Green-Tech Foundation to call off its 12-day indefinite hunger strike at Malki Ground on Monday evening. The protest, which began on April 9, was organized against the inclusion of the ecologically sensitive Lumpongdeng Island in the tourism project. Foundation secretary general Ritre Lyngdoh announced the withdrawal after receiving an official communication from the Tourism Department. A letter issued by Joint Secretary C.S. Khongwir clearly stated that the 36-acre island would not be part of the proj...