Meghalaya

The State Government is in the final phase of recruiting nearly 3,000 personnel to fill vacancies in the police department, Governor C. H. Vijayashankar announced on Monday while addressing the Budget Session of the Assembly. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to bolstering law enforcement, the Governor said the large-scale recruitment drive is aimed at strengthening the police force and enhancing public safety across the State. He noted that maintaining peace, security and the overall wellbeing of citizens remains the government’s top priority. Over the past year, the law and order situation in the State has remained stable and peaceful, with all major events which include National Day and State festivals conducted without incident. Highlighting ongoing efforts to improve policin...

Meghalaya is on track to triple the size of its economy by 2032, Governor C H Vijayashankar said on Monday, urging legislators to ensure that growth results in stronger public services, durable infrastructure and wider employment opportunities. Delivering his inaugural address at the start of the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Vijayashankar said the state recorded a real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth of 9.66 per cent and has sustained post-pandemic expansion. He claimed Meghalaya is the second fastest-growing state in the country and the only one to maintain an average growth rate of around 10 per cent for three consecutive years after the Covid-19 pandemic. The governor said the state’s economy has almost doubled from Rs 29,508 crore in 2018 to appr...

James Donald Khar Kongor, a Class 9 student from East Khasi Hills, has earned the prestigious jury award at the Northeast Science Fair & Innovation Festival 2026. A student of Mwanga District Christian Multipurpose HS School, James was recognized for his "Smart LPG Safety and Hazard Prevention System," a project aimed at reducing domestic fire accidents. The innovation uses advanced sensors to monitor air quality in real-time. When a leak is detected, the system simultaneously triggers a buzzer, activates an exhaust fan to disperse gas, and—most critically—uses an automatic solenoid valve to shut off the gas supply. The device also features IoT-based alerts, sending immediate notifications to users. Mentored by the Shillong Science Centre, James, who comes from a modest backgrou...

The Meghalaya Cabinet will decide on the date of holding of Haro Hills Autonomous Distrixt Council (GHADC) polls on February 16 An official source said that is scheduled for 4 pm today. The cabinet may fix the date of polls on April 9, the source added. The district council department has used the list of voters of the Election Commission of India, as the non-tribals are allowed to vote in GHADC. There are a total of 8,61,439 voters in the 29 constituencies of GHADC. The break-up is male voters (4,32,784) and the female voters(4,28,655 There are 1078 polling stations.

The Budget Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly commenced on Monday, with the Governor of Meghalaya, C. H. Vijaya Shankar, delivering his address to the House on the opening day. In a first for the Assembly, the National Anthem, the State Anthem and the National Song were played prior to the commencement of the session, marking a significant and ceremonial start to the proceedings.

A Class 9 student from Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district won the jury award at the North East Science Fair & Innovation Festival for developing a system that detects gas leaks and initiates preventive measures to avert accidents, officials said on Sunday. James Donald Kharkongor, a student of Mawngap District Christian Multipurpose HS School, received the recognition at the regional event organised by the National Science Centre, Guwahati, a unit of the National Council of Science Museums. James, who hails from Laitpynter Synrangkaban village, said his father is a school teacher while his mother works as a housekeeper. The system uses advanced sensors to continuously monitor air quality. When gas levels exceed safe limits, it triggers an alarm and activates an exhaust fan to di...

In an aggressive move to combat illegal coal mining, police in East Jaintia Hills have arrested 14 individuals, among whom are seven directly associated with the devastating explosion on February 5, 2026, at an illegal coal mine in Mynsngat-Thangsko that resulted in the deaths of 31 people. This action is part of a focused 45-day crackdown initiated on January 1, 2026, following instructions from the National Green Tribunal, particularly intensified after the explosion underscored the grave dangers of unregulated rat-hole mining. The apprehended suspects relevant to the fatal incident include Forme Chyrmang, Shamehi War, Process Phawa, Tensing Suchiang, Yoomiki Syih, Ernest Swer, and Rangsing Syiemlieh (also known as Mithun). While Ernest Swer and Rangsing Syiemlieh remain in police custo...

The National Hynniewtrep People Federation (NHPF) has decided to submit a constitutional appeal seeking the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya. The representation will be addressed to Congress President Rahul Gandhi through the Member of Parliament representing the Voice of the People Party. In a press synopsis, the organisation cited the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, as the statutory basis for the ILP, stating that it empowers the government to regulate the entry, stay and movement of non-residents in protected tribal areas. It also referred to constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, as well as Articles 244, 275, 19(5), and 371 of the Constitution of India. It maintained that the ILP is a regulatory mechanism that does not affect lawf...

The spotlight remained firmly on the Centre’s fiscal roadmap as senior BJP leaders addressed the media in Meghalaya’s capital, describing the Union Budget 2026 as “transformational” and growth-driven for the North-East. Devesh Kumar, MLC from Bihar and Convenor of the Budget Publicity Campaign for the North-East, along with Shazia Ilmi, National Spokesperson of the BJP, held a press conference at 2 pm at the BJP State Office on Bivar Road in Shillong. During the briefing, the leaders highlighted key features of the Union Budget 2026, including a strong push for infrastructure expansion in the North-East and enhanced capital expenditure on roads, railways and digital connectivity. They emphasised fresh incentives for start-ups and MSMEs, stating that the measures would encourage entrepr...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday inaugurated the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Samanda, Rikwarenggre in East Garo Hills district, marking the commencement of the institution’s academic session.The programme was attended by Marcuise N. Marak, Minister of Housing, PHE Department and Soil and Water Conservation Department, and other dignitaries.The programme began with registration of participants, including EMRS students, parents and local leaders. The Chief Minister and the dignitaries were ceremonially escorted by the Wangala troupe, followed by the unveiling of the commemorative plaque.In his address, the Chief Minister described the inauguration as a memorable and gratifying occasion that marked another important addition to the state’s education infrastr...