Meghalaya

The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), which Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last year accused of causing flash floods in Guwahati through what he termed “flood jihad,” has been found to be illegally built on forest land without central clearance, a Supreme Court-appointed panel has reported. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which advises the apex court on forest and environmental matters, said that USTM in Ri-Bhoi district occupies 25 hectares of forest land, of which 13.62 hectares are already under construction. It recommended a cumulative penalty of Rs 150.35 crore and ordered that the encroached land be restored to its natural forest state within a year. The report added that construction activities for the proposed P.A. Sangma Memorial Medical C...

The tourist taxi dispute escalated on Thursday when protestors at Jorabat blocked the vehicle of former Education Minister and NPP legislator Rakkam A Sangma, forcing him to rely on Assam police to continue his journey to Garo Hills. A large crowd from Assam shouted slogans demanding that he return to Meghalaya, with protestors clearly urging his vehicle to turn back. Rakkam shared a video of the confrontation and confirmed he barely managed to get past the blockade with police assistance. The incident occurred amid an ongoing protest by the All Khasi Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association (AKMTTA), which is demanding a ban on Assam tourist taxis operating in Meghalaya's popular tourist destinations. This hardline stance has fuelled resentment on both sides of the border, escalating tensio...

The Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has officially announced its under-19 men’s squads for the 2025–26 domestic cricket season, setting the stage for the state’s participation in the BCCI’s prestigious Vinoo Mankad Trophy and the Cooch Behar Trophy. The announcement, made on Wednesday, follows a series of selection trials and a close review of players’ past performances. The U-19 side will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman Heiyoomiki Ryngkhlem as captain, with Gaurav Narleng appointed vice-captain. Experienced coach Synrapsing Riahtam will guide the boys through the season, with an emphasis on fitness, discipline, and technical skills. Meghalaya’s immediate focus will be the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, a one-day tournament in which the team has been placed in the Plate Group alongside fellow...

Tour Operator Alan West Kharkongor has filed a petition in the High Court of Meghalaya following the recent strike called by All Meghalaya Khasi Tourist Taxi Association (AMKTTA). Kharkongor's legal counsel, Phuyosa Yobin said they have sought urgent listing of the matter before the court which has agreed to hear the plea either on Friday or Monday. According to Yobin, the petitioner has prayed to the court to issue a writ of mandamus directing the Meghalaya government to ensure that no strike, bandh, or blockade called by the AMKTTA or any other association is permitted to obstruct free movement of tourist taxis within Meghalaya. They also prayed the court to restrain AMKTTA, its members, and affiliates from enforcing the proposed strike or from taking any coercive steps restricting t...

Assam associations barred both commercial and private vehicles from Meghalaya from entering Guwahati, forcing them to return back to Shillong on Thurday morning. Travellers raelling to Guwahati ranted their frustration over the action,  with some of them bound for railway station and airport. A large number of vehicles where seen piled up at Jorabat, as members of different Assam associations stopped the vehicles urging them to turn their car. A traveller from Shillong travelling on his private vehicle narrated his ordeal, stating that he had to drop his family to Kamakhya station for boarding train, however, he was stopped and and told that he can drop his family at Jorabat and they have to take Assam registered taxi or auto from there onwards. Notably, the stand-off between A...

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Syiem on Wednesday informed that Advocate Gautam KC has been appointed as new special public prosecutor in to over Sonam Raghuvanshi case, replacing the former additional public prosecutor Tushar Chandra. Responding to question if Sonam will get bail, he said that Meghalaya Police has filed chargesheet against all 5 accused, and as for bail it is upto the court to decide. Gautam said that the bail hearing will take place in Sohra. He said that the defence has sought bail on the ground that police submitted an "incomplete chargesheet".

Meghalaya has finally got its own state guest house after a long wait of 25 years, with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma inaugurating the newly constructed Taraghar facility on September 16. The Rs 24.91 crore state-of-the-art guest house, located near the iconic Ward’s Lake, is set to reduce the government’s reliance on rented venues for official programs and significantly cut operational costs. During the inauguration, CM Sangma noted that when his government took office in 2018, Meghalaya lacked basic state symbols such as an emblem and an anthem, all of which have since been established, including the new guest house. “The state is steadily progressing, and this facility reflects our commitment to infrastructure and governance,” he said. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong emphas...

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday announced the allocation of portfolios. He has retained Cabinet Affairs, Finance, and all portfolios not specifically assigned. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong will oversee Home (Police), Public Works (Roads and Buildings), District Council Affairs, and Parliamentary Affairs, while fellow Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has been entrusted with Urban Affairs, Transport, Commerce & Industries, and Prisons and Correctional Services. Among the newly inducted ministers, Timothy D. Shira will head the Tourism, Agriculture, and Fisheries departments. Wailadmiki Shylla has been given responsibility for Health & Family Welfare, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Home (Passport). Sosthenes Sohtun...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he turned 75 on Wednesday, and said his unwavering commitment to India’s growth and development is truly inspirational. He also thanked Modi for his continued support for the people of Meghalaya. “Warmest birthday wishes to our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi ji, on his 75th birthday... On behalf of the people of Meghalaya, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and convey our sincere blessings and best wishes for your health, happiness, and long life,” he said in a post on X.

In a major political development ahead of a cabinet reshuffle, eight ministers in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government tendered their resignations on Tuesday, paving the way for the induction of a new council of ministers. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who leads the NPP-led coalition, called on Governor C H Vijayashankar at Raj Bhavan and submitted the resignations. Officials confirmed that the new ministers will be sworn in at 5 pm on Tuesday at Raj Bhavan. Among those who stepped down are prominent figures, including Health Minister AL Hek of the BJP, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh of the UDP, and Social Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh of the NPP. Others who resigned include Comingone Ymbon, Rakkam A Sangma, and Abu Taher Mondal of the NPP, Kyrmen Shylla of the UDP, ...