Meghalaya

Former Tourism Minister and West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh has said Meghalaya’s tourism sector is “sadly” showing signs of decline and has asked all stakeholders to weigh their words and actions more carefully in an age when social media can immediately damage the state’s image. Feedback he has been receiving, Lyngdoh said, indicated that tourism had slipped from the level it had reached during his tenure as Tourism Minister. He attributed that earlier growth not only to promotion but also to sustained engagement with different groups and organisations. During his term, he said, he had placed considerable emphasis on what he described as “diplomacy” — keeping dialogue open with NGOs and others over issues concerning the sector. Disagreements were inevitable, he maintained, but th...

An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was seriously injured after being struck by a scooty that allegedly attempted to evade a police vehicle-checking operation in Meghalaya's capital, Shillong, early on Friday. The incident took place around 1:30 a.m. in the Urkaliar area, where police were conducting routine checks as part of efforts to maintain law and order. The injured officer, Lovish Garg, Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) for East Khasi Hills district, was rushed to a hospital and later shifted to a specialized ward. He underwent minor surgery and remains under medical observation. According to Shillong City Superintendent of Police Dangsan Khyriem, two men riding a scooty tried to avoid the checkpoint and continued riding aggressively despite police instructi...

The Meghalaya government has directed the state police to adopt a more proactive approach and strengthen security across Shillong. "With repeated arson incidents, including petrol bombs reportedly hurled at police stations and outposts and attacks on government property in Shillong, the police have been asked to be proactive in maintaining security, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong said. Tynsong said the DGP and concerned officers have been instructed to improve CCTV coverage and intensify patrolling in the city. He assured the people that the government would take all possible measures and would not tolerate the criminal activities being reported. On additional forces, including the RAF, he said there was currently no need for them, maintaining that the S...

Senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA A.L. Hek affirmed that the allocation of cabinet portfolios remains the sole prerogative of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and must be respected by all political actors. Responding to reports suggesting that eight United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs were considering joining the BJP, Hek clarified that he has no information regarding any internal discussions about cabinet berth distribution or the creation of a Deputy Chief Minister post, noting that leadership matters are ultimately decided by the party’s central leadership. However, Hek acknowledged that the key concerns reportedly raised by the legislators—including the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), amendments to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), ...

A vehicle parked inside the premises of the office of the Directorate of Mineral Resources in Shillong was damaged after miscreants allegedly hurled a petrol bomb on Wednesday. The incident took place at Risa Colony around 3:15 pm when employees were still on duty inside the office. According to sources, the petrol bomb hit an Alto car bearing registration number ML 05 AC 0429, which belongs to an officer. Police from Laitumkhrah Police Station immediately rushed to the spot and launched an investigation into the incident.

The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved amendments to the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025, aimed at bringing greater clarity and strengthening the policy’s effectiveness in promoting the State as a destination for film production. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the government has refined certain eligibility criteria to make the incentives more targeted. "For instance, the Rs one crore incentive for films in regional languages will now be linked to wider distribution, through at least 100 cinema theatres or a national-level OTT platform," the Chief Minister said. "We have also revised the provision for films featured on Hello Meghalaya. Instead of requiring exclusive release on the platform, films can now also be released on national platforms, while ensuring that con...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated three Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) in Shillong to strengthen last-mile healthcare delivery and bring primary and preventive medical services closer to communities in remote areas. The three units will serve Mawpat, Pynursla and Baghmara, covering around 93 villages and a combined population of more than two lakh people. The MMUs are expected to reach nearly 45 villages in Mawpat, 26 in Pynursla and 22 in Baghmara, located in East Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills districts. Each unit will be staffed by doctors and trained medical personnel and equipped with essential medicines, medical equipment and technology-enabled electronic medical record systems. The teams will provide consultations, basic diagnostic services, treatment ...

Meghalaya BJP Pradesh will hold a month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan starting from September 17 to celebrate 25 years of Narendra Modi as Chief Minister and Prime minister Informing this in Shillong on Tuesday, BJP Meghalaya president Rikman Momin said a series of programmes would be held during the month long programme Momin said, 17th of September marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, while October this year marks the completion of 25 years of his public service as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. He also highlighted various infrastructure, social and cultural initiatives undertaken under the NDA government led by Prime Minister Modi. He said programmes like inter school drawing, blood donation and a host of programmes involving party workers and supporter in the cam...

The Hills Farmers’ Union (HFU) has urged the Meghalaya government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged illegal collection of money from vehicles transporting livestock into the state. The demand was raised during a meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at the Taraghar State Guest House, where HFU representatives submitted documents and other material they said supported their allegations. The union claimed that payments were being routed through a private bank account and alleged that some police personnel may have been involved in the collection process. According to HFU representatives, drivers were allegedly provided a contact number after making a so-called “direct entry” payment, following which vehicles were tracked and movement coordinated throug...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on September 15 flagged off three Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) aimed at improving access to healthcare in remote parts of the state. The units will operate across Sohra, Pynursla and Baghmara, covering 93 villages and benefiting more than two lakh people. Each MMU will have a doctor and a paramedic to provide essential healthcare services closer to communities that have limited access to medical facilities. Sangma said the initiative is part of the government's Smart Village movement, which uses technology and targeted interventions to improve access to essential services. "Distance is never a barrier to accessing healthcare," Sangma said in a post on X on September 15. He said the success of the initiative would be judged by its impact ...