Meghalaya

South Garo Hills–based social activist Greneth M. Sangma has issued an open letter to Muslim community leaders in Garo Hills, urging them to promote communal harmony and respect the constitutional safeguards governing the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). The letter, dated March 10, was addressed to Rajabala MLA Mizanur Rahman Kazi, former MDC Sofior Rehman, former MLA and MDC Esmatur Mominin, and other community leaders. In the letter, Sangma expressed concern over what he described as growing tensions triggered by debates on social media and legal challenges related to the functioning of the GHADC. Highlighting the constitutional framework, Sangma stated that the GHADC operates under Article 244(2) of the Constitution and the Sixth Schedule, which are designed to protec...

Two persons were killed in police firing early Tuesday as officers dispersed an unlawful assembly during a night‑curfew enforcement, West Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma confirmed. The incident followed a clash between tribal and non‑tribal groups amid rising tensions around nominations for the April 10 Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections. “They were residents of Chibinang. There was a clash between tribals and non‑tribals regarding the GHADC elections, and the firing occurred while we were dispersing an unlawful assembly,” Sangma said. “The situation right now is under control,” he added. The district administration has extended curfew to a full‑day clamp across West Garo Hills and ordered additional forces to guard against further escalation.

Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district administration has imposed a night curfew across 37 sensitive villages to curb rising tensions during the nomination phase for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. The curfew will remain in force from 6 pm to 6 am from March 9 to March 16, coinciding with the nomination period for the elections scheduled on April 10, officials said. District Magistrate Vibhor Aggarwal issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) as a preventive measure to maintain law and order in areas identified as sensitive. The order prohibits unauthorised processions, unlawful assembly of five or more persons, and the carrying of arms or objects that could be used as weapons, including sticks, rods and stones. The ...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma underscored the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, especially in rural and forest regions, during the "Our Magnificent Vision 2032 | Meghalaya" program in Baghmara, South Garo Hills. Highlighting his visits to the area over the past eight years, he reaffirmed his dedication to the district's growth, acknowledging that while not all aspirations have been met, significant developmental efforts have been made. The celebration marked eight years of the MDA government's initiatives aimed at enhanced service delivery and sustainable infrastructure as part of their Vision 2032 roadmap. Sangma provided an overview of key investments and projects in South Garo Hills, detailing funding in sectors such as public health (...

A former legislator and his supporters faced an alleged assault by unidentified individuals in Tura while attempting to file nominations for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, resulting in the West Garo Hills district administration imposing a night curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) from 6pm to 6am in sensitive areas. The curfew affects regions including Phulbari, Rajabala, Hallidayganj, and Tikrikilla police station areas, prohibiting unauthorized gatherings of five or more people and weapon possession. Former MLA SG Esmatur Mominin arrived early to submit his nomination papers despite a GHADC ruling requiring a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate but was attacked at the Deputy Commissioner's office. Following this, a...

Three women cricketers and one support staff member from Meghalaya have been chosen to represent the North East Zone in the Senior Women Inter-Zonal One-Day Trophy 2026, organized by the BCCI in Bengaluru. The tournament will be hosted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and will consist of six zonal teams: North, South, East, West, Central, and North East Zones. The North East Zone team will be captained by Debasmita Dutta from Meghalaya, alongside Rubi Chettri from Ri Bhoi district and Daiaka Warjri from Mairang. Additionally, Darishesha Mawroh from Shillong has been appointed as the Strength and Conditioning coach for the team. This selection underscores the representation of players and support staff from six states—Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim—wit...

The Social Welfare Department of Meghalaya on Monday celebrated International Women's Day at the Lok Bhavan, Shillong, also marking the completion of 11 years of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. The event was organized by the State Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women in collaboration with the Health and Family Welfare Department, Public Health Engineering Department and the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society under the theme "Give to Gain." The programme was attended by Adviser to the Social Welfare department Paul Lyngdoh, MLA Santa Mary Shylla, senior government officials, invited guests and several women achievers. During the event, women from various fields were honoured for their achievements and contributions. Addressing the gathering, Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vij...

Elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council will be held on April 10, according to a notification issued by the District Council Affairs Department on March 9. As per the notification, the last date for filing nomination papers is March 16, while March 17 has been set as the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures. As per the notification, the last date for filing nomination papers is March 16, while March 17 has been set as the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures. The final list of valid nominations, along with the allocation of election symbols, will be published on March 18, officials said. Polling for the council elections will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 10, while the counting of votes will take place on April 14. Currently, the National People's Part...

The filing of nominations for the much-awaited elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) began on Monday, with authorities imposing prohibitory orders across the five districts of Garo Hills to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process.The restrictions have been imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which empowers the administration to regulate public gatherings and maintain law and order during sensitive periods.Vibhor Agarwal issued a set of guidelines regarding the filing of nomination papers by eligible candidates. According to the order, nominations can be submitted until March 16, while polling for the council elections will be held on April 10. The counting of votes is scheduled for April 14.The Deputy Commissioner stated tha...

The Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) passed a series of landmark decisions, opening the doors of the game wider to players across the State while committing to a new standard of financial accountability and institutional oversight. The Apex Council, presided over by its new President James PK Sangma, voted to abolish the longstanding 35-year age cap on player selection, a rule that had barred experienced cricketers from representing the State regardless of their form or fitness. Sangma stated that selections will henceforth be based entirely on performance, merit, and fitness. In a decision for development of grassroots cricket across every district, the MCA also lifted the ban on participation in tennis ball cricket, ending a rule that had penalised players for the very format t...