Meghalaya

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...

BJP is set to emerge as a significantly stronger force in Meghalaya ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, said BJP national secretary in-charge for Meghalaya, Anil K Antony on Monday. Addressing a media conference, Antony cited the party’s growing presence in the Northeast, noting that while the BJP had no governing presence in the region seven years ago, today seven out of the eight Northeastern states are governed by the NDA. “BJP is the largest party in four states Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Tripura. In other states, our organizational base is expanding steadily,” he said. Antony further said the party’s long-term objective is to become the leading political force in Meghalaya by strengthening its grassroots structure and connecting with voters on key issues. Regardi...

A team of researchers from different institutions has discovered a new snake species, named 'Calamaria garoensis' (Garo Hills reed snake), in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The description of the species has been published in 'Taprobanica', an international peer-reviewed journal. Taking note of the discovery, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has congratulated the researchers for this feat. "Heartiest congratulations to the team of researchers on the discovery of a new snake species, Calamaria garoensis, found in the Garo Hills. This remarkable discovery highlights the rich and unique biodiversity of our State and the immense value of our forests," the Chief Minister said. "I commend the dedicated efforts of the researchers from Help Earth, Cotton University, Assam Don Bosco ...

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Meghalaya, organised an Input Distribution Programme for farmers and community institutions in Tura.Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma attended the programme as chief guest.The programme focused on the convergence of key agricultural and horticultural schemes to enhance productivity, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen farmer livelihoods.Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to improving farmers’ income through targeted interventions, value addition, and sustainable agricultural practices.Sangma stated that agriculture continues to be the backbone of the State’s economy, with over 70 percent of households engaged in farming and allie...

Mission Director of the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM), Francis Kharshiing, on Monday stated that the initiative has significantly reduced the impact of drug abuse in Meghalaya through its multi-pronged strategy.Describing DREAM as a “unique and game-changing” initiative to tackle the drug menace, Kharshiing said the Mission has identified several drug-prone hotspots across the state, particularly in urban areas.He noted that the Cantonment area has been flagged as one of the affected zones, adding that inspections and necessary countermeasures have already been carried out in the area.In order to further curb drug trafficking, Kharshiing informed that there are plans to install vehicle scanners at key entry points into the state to detect and prevent smuggling att...