Meghalaya

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has strongly refuted allegations that his government is bypassing environmental procedures to fast-track a proposed mega cement plant in the East Jaintia Hills district. The Chief Minister’s clarification comes in the wake of escalating protests from local pressure groups and non-governmental organizations, who accuse the administration of "bulldozing" the project through despite severe ecological concerns. The controversy intensified recently after a scheduled public hearing for the Shree Cement project had to be abruptly cancelled due to intense public resentment and massive demonstrations by local residents. Critics argue that the government is ignoring the potential environmental fallout in an ecologically sensitive region. Dismissing th...

Amid escalating drone-led warfare across global conflict zones, Zen Technologies, a leader in next-generation anti-drone systems, today showcased India's First Al-Powered Fully Integrated Anti-Drone System, at Multilateral Joint Exercise Pragati-l 2026 between India and 15 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) at Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Stall No 21. Fully indigenously designed and developed, the system represents a significant milestone in India's push for defence self-reliance and sovereign intellectual property creation in critical battlefield technologies. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that low-cost FPVs and coordinated swarm attacks are emerging as decisive force multipliers, capable of bypassing traditional air defence systems. Zen Technologies' latest platform is eng...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday, said the Meghalaya government is carefully studying the provisions of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to ensure that the state’s tribal identity, traditional laws and matrilineal social structure remain protected. His remarks came amid growing political and social debate in Meghalaya following the passage of the UCC Bill in neighboring Assam. Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said that when discussions on the UCC first began, debates were largely centered around the term itself, with many people uncertain about what the proposed law would include. “Different concerns naturally emerged because there was no clarity initially on the structure and provisions of the law,” Sangma said. He said that for Meghalaya, a tribal-majori...

A remarkable new species of toad has been discovered in the sacred groves of Mawphlang in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, adding another significant chapter to the rich biodiversity of Northeast India. Scientists have named the newly identified species Duttaphrynus dhara in honour of the traditional Khasi female attire “Dhara”, paying tribute to the region’s cultural heritage, deep-rooted traditions and the close relationship between the Khasi people and their forests. The discovery was made during routine field surveys in the high-altitude landscapes of Mawphlang, located at around 1,854 metres above sea level. Researchers found the tiny toads hiding among leaf litter and low vegetation in fallow agricultural fields bordering dense montane forests. Unlike the common Asian toad often seen n...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has said that border fencing work along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya is nearing completion, with only around 40 to 45 kilometers remaining out of the total stretch. Speaking on the progress of border infrastructure development, Sangma said approximately 400 kilometers of fencing work has already been completed. “About 10 per cent work remains due to local issues,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government is engaging with residents to address genuine concerns linked to the pending stretches. “We are talking to the locals and trying to solve the genuine issues,” Sangma said. The Chief Minister also stated that Meghalaya has made faster progress on border fencing compared to several other states. “In comparison to other s...

The National People’s Party (NPP) on Tuesday organised an election campaign meeting at New Nongstoin as part of its campaign for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, along with Nongstoin MLA, Gabriel Wahlang, Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA and MDC, R.G. Momin and Lurshai Kharbani, former Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang, and several other party leaders. NPP’s MP candidate, Dr D.R.L. Nonglait, was also present and addressed the gathering, highlighting the party’s vision, principles, and commitment towards serving the nation and the community if elected to Parliament. The programme was chaired by G. Marbaniang, Secretary of New Nongstoin shnong. Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Tynsong stated that Dr N...

The Meghalaya Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a one-time settlement scheme with up to 90 per cent exemption on penalties relating to motor vehicle tax, passenger and goods tax and fitness fees. The cabinet also approved proposed regulations on the use of name boards on Meghalaya government official vehicles and strengthen the forest administration in the state. Announcing the decision after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said many commercial vehicles had accumulated heavy dues over the years due to pending renewals of taxes and fitness certificates. "While the actual fees are modest, penalties imposed over time became disproportionately high, creating severe financial stress for many, especially local transporters who depend on these vehicles for their livelihood. K...

The Academic Council of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has officially finalized the syllabus for the fourth year of its Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP). The crucial emergency meeting was chaired by Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sumarbin Umdor in the absence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. P.S. Shukla. Addressing recent student anxieties, NEHUTA President Prof. Lakhon Kma firmly dismissed rumors that students would forfeit their three-year bachelor’s degree if they failed their final fourth-year papers. Under the National Education Policy (NEP), qualifications are progressive: students earn a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, and a degree after three. Kma emphasized that completing the third year secures a student's right to a standard degree, which cannot be revoked ...

The newly formed federation has submitted a detailed representation to the Meghalaya Governmentdemanding a 100 per cent waiver of all Piggery Mission loans, citing devastating losses caused by African Swine Fever (ASF), market collapse, and inadequate government support. In the memorandum addressed to Governor C. H. Vijayashankar, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and Animal Husbandry Minister Sanbor Shullai, the federation stated that hundreds of piggery farmers across Meghalaya have been pushed into severe debt after repeated ASF outbreaks wiped out livestock and livelihoods. The federation alleged that the unregulated influx of pigs and pork products from states such as Assam, Punjab, and Delhi had further damaged local piggery businesses by crashing market prices and increasing ...