Meghalaya

In a significant relief for Hindu devotees, the Meghalaya High Court ordered Yatra, a religious organisation and the event planner, to only allow a symbolic sprinling of water on the stone at Mawjymbuin Cave in Mawsynram, whenever the Yatra from Mahadev Khola to the cave is undertaken. The court also took note of the undertaking by the petitioner that there will neither be performance of puja nor any articles for performance of such rituals will be brought to the cave, such as incense sticks, flowers etc. The order of the Single Bench of Justice HS Thangkhiew states that in consideration of the matter and urgency expressed, and the conditions given by the state respondents through the Deputy Commissioner, and the undertaking given by the Dorbar Shnong, Mawsynram village to the said Yat...

The Meghalaya Cabinet accepted three important provisions under the new criminal codes that went into force statewide on July 1, 2024, marking a significant step towards alignment with national criminal law reforms. These regulations are part of the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, according to Cyril VD Diengdoh, Commissioner and Secretary of the Home (Police) Department. "These rules were provided as model guidelines by the Ministry of Home Affairs," Diengdoh said. "After due consultation with the Honourable High Court of Meghalaya, as required by procedure, and with their consent, the Cabinet has approved these three new rules." According to the first regulation, the Meghalaya e-Sakshya Management...

A shocking case of custodial violence has jolted Meghalaya, prompting the suspension of five police personnel, including a sub-inspector, posted at Sohra Police Station in East Khasi Hills district. The officers stand accused of brutally assaulting a detainee and forcing him to drink water from a toilet, a charge that has drawn widespread condemnation and sparked calls for justice. The allegations came to light after the detainee’s mother lodged a formal complaint on July 7, accusing police of physically abusing her son while in custody. Following a preliminary inquiry, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the suspension of the five officials. “An independent investigation led by SDPO B Wanswett found prima facie evidence of serious misconduct. Departmental p...

The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025, aiming to nurture the state's film industry and promote tourism through cinema. The policy aims to transform Meghalaya into a premier filmmaking destination in the North East and enhance infrastructure for the industry. Meghalaya is set to become a cinematic destination, with a dedicated Film Facilitation Cell to streamline coordination between departments. The government will provide financial incentives, including a subsidy of up to ₹1 crore for national and international language films shooting at least 75% of their scenes in Meghalaya. The policy also includes a subsidy of ₹50 lakh for local filmmakers producing films in Khasi, Pnar, and Garo languages. Other measures include grants for documentaries and sho...

Two Bangladeshis were arrested in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district for allegedly entering India without valid documents, police said on Friday. Two persons, who had allegedly facilitated their illegal entry to the country, were also apprehended, a senior officer said. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the Border Security Force and the Meghalaya Police intercepted a Guwahati-bound vehicle on the Mawlai bypass near Shillong and detained the occupants of the car for interrogation, he said.

In a historic move after 52 years, the Shillong Cantonment Board (SCB) has finally approved a draft building bylaw for construction within defence lands, bringing it in line with existing regulations followed in municipal areas governed by the state government. South Shillong MLA and SCB member Sanbor Shullai announced the development, stating that this long-awaited regulation-modeled on the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) building bylaws -was made possible through collaboration with the state government. As per the approved draft: In areas accessible by vehicles, construction of up to four storeys (G+3) will be allowed. In non-motorable areas, buildings up to three storeys (G+2) will be permitted. For plots larger than 1,000 square feet, construction up to four storeys wi...

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began her four-day official visit to Meghalaya on Thursday with a series of engagements in Shillong, focusing on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and urban infrastructure development. Accompanied by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and others, Sitharaman chaired an interactive session of the North East Roundtable under the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS), where she interacted with interns, industry leaders and officials from various states of the region. The PMIS seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering structured internship opportunities to young people across the country, particularly from remote areas. Earlier in the day, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman officially inaugurated Shillo...

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who will be in state for a three-day visit, will open Polo shopping complex, on Thursday afternoon. Deputy Chief Minister-in-charge Urban & Municipal Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Wednesday that the union finance minister has agreed to inaugurate the project. She is expected to inspect a few other central  projects in the state. She will leave on July 13 after staying in Sohra for a day.

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will arrive in Shillong on Thursday for a four-day visit to Meghalaya and will participate in various events, such as the Northeast Conclave, officials said. She is expected to arrive in Shillong in the afternoon, they said. Her visit aims to review development initiatives, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen engagement with local communities in Meghalaya, the officials said. The centrepiece of her visit will be the inauguration of the Northeast Conclave on July 11, designed to boost business opportunities and investment in the region. The event will coincide with the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs campus at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, with Chief Ministe...

A sub-inspector and four constables posted at Sohra Police Station in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district were suspended for allegedly assaulting a detainee and forcing him to drink water from a toilet earlier this month, a senior officer said on Thursday. They were suspended after a preliminary inquiry into a complaint filed on July 7 by the mother of the detainee who was injured during the alleged assault by the police personnel. He had been referred from the Sohra CHC to the Civil Hospital here, the officer said. "Departmental proceedings have also been initiated against them. Additionally, a criminal case has been registered against the concerned personnel under Sohra P.S Case No. 10/2025 U/S 120(1)/3(5) BNS, and the investigation is being conducted by an Inspector-level officer fro...