Meghalaya

Voice of the People Party (VPP) has called for a public meeting at Motphran on April 22 as part of a broader agitation against the Meghalaya government's alleged “anti-indigenous” policies. The public meeting marks a significant escalation in the standoff over the proposed luxury resort at Umiam. During the agitation, the party plans to also place the long-standing grievances regarding irregularities in the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and District Selection Committees (DSC), alongside the rights of teachers and border residents. VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, while announcing the agitation following an emergent party meeting on Saturday, accused the NPP-led administration of being “insensitive and dismissive” of the interests of the Khasi-Jaintia community,...

A tragic road accident near Civil Hospital Nongstoin claimed the life of one person after a motorbike crashed into and got lodged under a pickup vehicle. According to reports, the bike (AS 21 E 5628) collided with an oncoming pickup, resulting in a severe impact. One of the riders, identified as D. Marngar (38) from Nongdisong, residing in Risiang village under Mawthiet area of West Khasi Hills, died on the spot. He was reportedly riding pillion at the time of the accident. The rider of the bike sustained serious injuries and was immediately rushed to Civil Hospital Nongstoin, where he is currently undergoing treatment. Local shnong leaders expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing the victims as well-known and respected individuals.

The India tour of German rock band Scorpions has been cancelled, including the much-awaited Shillong concert, organisers confirmed on Friday. In a statement, BookMyShow said the band’s “Coming Home” India Tour was called off due to “unforeseen medical circumstances affecting the band members.”

The second phase of border talks between Meghalaya and Assam to resolve the remaining six areas of difference will resume after the Assam Assembly elections, Hill State People’s Democratic Party president KP Pangniang said on Friday. “Recently, the chief minister told us that as and when the Assam election is over, they will resume the border talks,” Pangniang told reporters. He said the party had submitted a reminder to the government last year to continue the talks. “Last year, we submitted a reminder from the party to the government to continue the second phase of border talks with Assam,” he said. Pangniang added that the HSPDP would meet the chief minister again in the coming days to press for the talks. According to him, settlement of the interstate boundary with Assam remains a key...

Green Tech Foundation Chairman H Bansiewdor Nonglang was admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital on Friday after his health deteriorated following a nine-day hunger strike against the proposed tourism project on Lumpongdeng Island. Speaking before his hospitalisation, Nonglang said the protest was aimed at forcing the government to scrap the project. “Worry not about me, but about Umiam and Lumpongdeng. If we fail to reclaim Lumpongdeng, the indigenous community loses. If we succeed, we will regain ownership of Umiam and Lumpongdeng,” he said. Nonglang said he had decided to get admitted in the hospital on the insistence of his colleagues. “I have fasted for nine days and done all I can as a leader. But I must consider my people and fellow Green Tech Foundation leaders, who are urging me t...

The Meghalaya High Court has officially quashed criminal proceedings against eight members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in connection with an assault and abduction case dating back to 2020. The High Court’s ruling comes in the wake of an amicable settlement reached between the accused and the complainant, Pynshngain Wanniang. The original charges arose from an incident in which Wanniang alleged that a group of 25 to 30 KSU members had forcibly entered his home, abducted him, and taken him to their local office in Mawkyrwat. He reported being subjected to physical assault during the encounter before eventually being released to his mother. Following a police investigation, charges were framed against KSU district president Fordwardman Nongrem and seven others under various section...

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Friday expressed strong suspicion over the state government’s handling of the proposed luxury resort and spa project at Umiam Lake, suggesting that “something is happening behind the scenes” given the manner in which Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has defended the project. After visiting H Bansiewdor Nonglang, who is on an indefinite hunger strike at Malki Ground, VPP leader and JHADC opposition MDC Awhai Andrew Shullai said available records indicate the involvement of an external construction company in the Umiam tourism project. Shullai clarified that while there is no direct allegation against the Chief Minister, the government’s strong defence of the project raises concerns about possible undisclosed developments. He criticised the lack of prope...

Education Minister of Meghalaya Lahkmen Rymbui urged the Centre to include Khasi and Garo languages in the Central Board of Secondary Education language options, particularly under the three-language formula. In a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rymbui highlighted that a large number of students in CBSE-affiliated schools across Meghalaya belong to tribal communities where Khasi and Garo are widely spoken and form the foundation of early learning and daily communication. For many children, these languages are their primary medium of understanding and expression. He noted that Khasi and Garo, recently recognized as official languages of Meghalaya alongside English, are not currently included under the CBSE’s R1, R2, or R3 language categories. This creates challenges ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma met members of the A’chik Literary Society in Tura on Friday to apprise them of the Government’s decision to include Khasi and Garo as official languages of Meghalaya alongside English.Sharing details of the decision, the Chief Minister stated the move marks a historic step towards recognising and promoting the linguistic heritage of the State.He noted that while a resolution had earlier been passed in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly seeking inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, there was a need to send a strong message—both to the people of the State and the Government of India—on the importance of promoting local languages at all levels.“For many years, there has been a demand from the people to include the K...

Amid the ongoing controversy over the proposed Taj Umiam Luxury Resort & Spa project, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the government is ready to bring out a white paper to address public concerns. Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said the government is open to placing all details of the project in the public domain. He reiterated that the main concern raised by protesters—regarding construction on Lumpongdeng Island—has already been clarified. He stated that no construction will take place on Lumpongdeng Island and that the proposed five-star hotel will instead be developed at the existing Orchid Hotel site near Umiam. According to him, this position has been clear from the beginning and has been repeated multiple times. On the ongoing protests, includ...