Meghalaya

A public hearing on a proposed Rs 1,800 crore integrated cement plant and limestone mining project in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district was called off on Friday following protests by a section of local residents. During the unrest, unidentified miscreants set a stationary truck on fire at some distance from the hearing venue. Police said the truck was empty and had no occupants at the time of the incident. A brief standoff also took place at the public hearing site between one group supporting the project and another opposing it. The tension came a day after clashes between the two sides near the office of the district magistrate left two people injured. Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Rasgania said the hearing had to be cancelled because one group prevented the proce...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday attended “MLA Connect” at Matchikolgre in Tura town as part of continued efforts to strengthen grassroots engagement. During the programme, the Chief Minister interacted extensively with residents, local leaders, youth bodies, community representatives and stakeholders from the locality. Residents raised several concerns relating to roads, drainage, sanitation, public amenities, electricity, water supply, and urban infrastructure. Community members highlighted that garbage collection trucks are unable to reach certain parts of the locality during the monsoon season because of slippery road conditions, leading to difficulties in waste management and sanitation. In response, the Chief Minister directed the Tura Municipal Board ...

The Meghalaya Board of School Education on Friday has announced the results of the SSLC Supplementary Examination 2026, recording a pass percentage of 90.16 per cent. The examination was conducted from 1 to 8 May 2026, and out of 5,615 students who appeared, 5,063 successfully cleared the examination. The supplementary examination was held for students who were unable to pass certain subjects in the SSLC Main Examination conducted between 30 January and 11 February 2026. In the main examination, 48,623 students had appeared, of whom 42,228 passed while 6,395 were declared unsuccessful. Of these unsuccessful candidates, 5,615 appeared for the supplementary examination and 5,063 passed. With the supplementary results included, a total of 47,291 students has now passed the SSLC Examin...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday laid the foundation for over Rs 150-crore development project for Tura town.The project includes redevelopment of Nazing Bazar area, which includes car parking, hotel and space for vendor, multi-level car parking and cinema at Dakopgre, which will accommodate 200 cars, cinema halls with three screens, a gaming zone and food court and refurbishment of SMELC building, including art and culture promenade with museum, kid zone park, youth centre and active aging centre.The programme was attended by CEM, GHADC, MDCs, chairman of Tura Municipal Board J. D. Sangma, senior officials from the Department of Urban Affairs, representatives of local bodies, community leaders, artists and citizens from different localities.During the programme, the Ch...

The public hearing on the proposed Shree Cement limestone mining project at Lum Syrman under Elaka Nongkhlieh in East Jaintia Hills was called off on Friday after violent protests and a breakdown of law and order disrupted the proceedings. The hearing, organized by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, could not commence as opposition groups, who were present in large numbers, expressed strong resentment against the proposed mining project and prevented officials from initiating the proceedings. Tension escalated at the venue when protesters allegedly hurled chairs towards the area where officials conducting the public hearing were seated. The opposition groups were later seen rejoicing and dancing after the announcement that the hearing had been cancelled. The protesters al...

The Meghalaya government has announced an ambitious plan to expand organic farming across one lakh hectares, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable agriculture. Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira revealed that sixty thousand hectares are already dedicated to organic practices, with plans underway to add another forty thousand hectares to achieve the target. According to the minister, there is a growing awareness among local farmers regarding the long-term benefits of organic cultivation. This shift is being actively supported by the central government. In a significant move to discourage chemical dependency, the state has halted the distribution of chemical fertilizers. Instead, farmers are steadily transitioning to bio-fertilizers and natural manure to cultivate their crops. ...

Leaders of the city and suburban taxi drivers' association on Thursday met East Khasi Hills District Transport Officer (DTO) R. Hinge to seek a crackdown on illegal "offline" bike taxi services operating in Shillong. The delegation raised concerns over the increasing number of two-wheelers being used commercially without authorization, allegedly under the Rapido banner. Association president Kmenlang Khonglah told reporters that these unauthorized operators are setting up stands at various locations, adversely affecting the livelihoods of local taxi drivers. Khonglah stated that while the association understands the challenges faced by the public and unemployed youth, commercial bike services must operate within the law. The association noted that previous enforcement drives and fi...

The Northeastern Council (NEC) has significantly expanded its developmental footprint in Meghalaya during the 15th Finance Commission (FC) period, with cumulative expenditure reaching Rs 555.63 crore under the Schemes of NEC (SONEC) and NESIDS Roads programmes. The investments span education, urban infrastructure, entrepreneurship, tribal livelihoods, connectivity, and sports infrastructure, reaffirming its commitment towards inclusive and sustainable growth in the state, according to an NEC statement. Of the total outlay, Meghalaya recorded an expenditure of Rs 160.87 crore under SONEC alone during the 15th FC cycle. The interventions covered "development of community infrastructure, school buildings, markets, bridges, tourism facilities, healthcare support, and entrepreneu...

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing of a criminal petition filed by the State against Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband, Indore businessman (L) Raja Raghuvanshi at Sohra, to June 1. The order was passed by Justice W Diengdoh after hearing a prayer made by S Thapa, counsel for the respondent. “On prayer made by Mr. S Thapa, learned counsel for the respondent, list this matter on 01.06.2026,” the order stated. Last month, a lower court had granted bail to Sonam, after ruling that police failed to properly communicate the grounds of her arrest. In her order passed on April 27, while disposing of the bail application, the court of Additional DC (Judicial) DR Kharbteng said the procedural lapse breached the constitutional safeguard unde...

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday clarified that the State government has no intent to impose the proposed Shree Cement limestone mining project at Lum Syrman in East Jaintia Hills district. Refuting allegations that the government was attempting to push through the proposed project by force, Tynsong told persons that a public hearing, scheduled for Friday, itself reflected a transparent and consultative approach. He said the purpose of the public hearing was to allow residents and stakeholders to openly express their opinions on the project. “So, opposing the hearing itself defeats the very objective of public consultation mandated under environmental regulations. If the government had intended to impose the project forcibly, there would have been no pub...