Meghalaya

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) is setting its sights on Garo Hills, with the aim of unseating the National People's Party (NPP) in the 2028 elections. "Obviously that is an open secret. Even if I don't say it, the people are forecasting that the fight in 2028 will be between VPP and NPP," said VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit told reporters on Friday. "As of now, there's a perception that VPP will do better in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, and NPP in Garo Hills. But I am telling you, it will be a different situation altogether once we enter the electioneering year." When asked if the party would approach former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to lead the charge in Garo Hills, Basaiawmoit was dismissive. "We don't believe in that kind of simple politics," he said. "Our political c...

Police in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district have arrested two individuals for allegedly recruiting youths for the banned militant outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and conspiring to prepare an improvised explosive device (IED). Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Ri-Bhoi District Executive Force (DEF) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted a raid on February 23 at Pahamlapong in Nongpoh and arrested 35-year-old Benjamin Sohtun. He is accused of using social media platforms to lure and recruit local youths into the HNLC. Police sources said that during interrogation, several incriminating materials were recovered from Sohtun’s possession, pointing to his alleged involvement in extremist activities. Based on disclosures made during question...

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday flagged off 84 new buses, including 55 electric buses inducted under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme, at a function held at the New Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. The event marked the official launch of "Ka Bos Jong Ngi" under the Urban Affairs Department. The buses are fitted with air-conditioning, mobile charging points, real-time tracking systems and e- ticketing facilities to enhance passenger comfort, safety and efficiency. A pilot service began on the IIM Shillong-Upper Shillong route, operating daily from 7 am to 9 pm. The initiative aims to strengthen urban connectivity while offering residents a dependable, comfortable and environment-friendly public transport option. During the programme, seven food carts were handed over to beneficiaries...

Prisons in Meghalaya are set to establish separate enclosures for transgender inmates following the passage of the Meghalaya Prison and Correctional Services Bill, 2026, by the State Assembly. Tabled by Deputy Chief Minister S Dhar, the bill acknowledges the specific needs of transgender prisoners by allowing for distinct prison regimens for both trans men and trans women. Provisions in the legislation include the establishment of separate enclosures, access to appropriate healthcare and psycho-social care services, and participation in correctional programs and activities. An official noted that the law aims to modernize prison administration in Meghalaya, aligning it with contemporary correctional standards while ensuring the safety, dignity, and rehabilitation of all inmates.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the Assembly on Friday that the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board has issued eight new consents to operate stone quarries (2 in West Khasi Hills, 3 in West Garo Hills, and 1 each in West Jaintia Hills, East Garo Hills, and Eastern West Khasi Hills). On staff shortage at the Board, Sangma said regional offices are lacking and most work is handled from Shillong, making access difficult for applicants from Tura and other parts of the state. “We are in the process… offices for Tura and other locations are going to be established,” he added. Responding to quarry concentration in West Garo Hills, he said 59 quarries operate legally there and applications from other districts are processed as received. “Reasons could be many—maybe locations are...

The decision to retain Meghalaya’s existing job reservation structure has triggered dissatisfaction among sections of both the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo communities, reopening debate over the state’s long-standing 1972 Reservation Policy.An Expert Committee headed by Justice (retd) Mool Chand Garg recently recommended maintaining the current framework, which provides 40 percent reservation each for Khasi-Jaintia and Garo communities, 5 percent for other ST/SC groups, and 15 percent unreserved. The panel cautioned that major structural changes could invite legal scrutiny, noting that the overall 85 percent Scheduled Tribe quota already exceeds the 50 percent cap laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark Indra Sawhney v. Union of India judgment.Despite the committee’s findings, political ...

In a major blow to the insurgent infrastructure in Meghalaya, a high-ranking “Area Commander” of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) surrendered to authorities on Thursday. The operative, who oversaw the group’s activities in the West Khasi Hills, turned himself in before the Superintendent of Police in Mairang, Eastern West Khasi Hills District. Following his initial surrender, the militant was escorted to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) in Shillong for a high-level briefing. While the state police have remained tight-lipped regarding the specific terms of the surrender, the move is being viewed as a significant tactical win for counter-insurgency efforts. Police sources indicate that the surrendered commander has already provided “actio...

The High Court of Meghalaya has expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's compensation measures and post-investigation steps related to the dynamite blast at Mynsngat-Thangsko, which resulted in 34 fatalities and five serious injuries. During the hearing of a status report, the Division Bench, composed of Justices Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew and Wanlura Diengdoh, deemed the state’s actions inadequate in addressing the incident's severity. The court emphasized the need for the government to act credibly to restore public confidence in the rule of law. The court noted that interim compensation had only been provided to the next of kin of eight deceased individuals, with no updates on those from Nepal and Assam. Despite challenges in identifying legal heirs, the court reject...

The sixth edition of the India-Japan Intellectual Conclave, “KIZUNA-6: Scaling up Partnerships”, began on February 26, in Meghalaya, with a focus on strengthening cooperation between the two countries across key sectors. The two-day event is being organised by Asian Confluence in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the Embassy of Japan, the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. In his welcome address, Asian Confluence Executive Director Sabyasachi Dutta highlighted the Assam government’s efforts to build infrastructure aimed at accelerating the overall development of the state and the wider Northeast region. Delivering the inaugural address, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma highlighted the growing ...

After the death of two Agniveers, there have been no fresh cases of suspected meningococcal bacterial infection at Assam Regimental Centre, here.The state government issued an advisory on Thursday urging citizens to avoid crowded places and follow health protocols, including washing hands. According to the Defence PRO, intensive monitoring and surveillance are being carried out by the Army medical authorities. Medical facilities have been augmented as necessary. "As a precautionary measure, contacts of the earlier case have been detained under isolation at MH Shillong. Masking and restricted movement protocol continue to be in place", the PRO said.Military medical authorities have apprised Meghalaya health authorities of the current situation and developments.