Meghalaya

On February 5, a tragic explosion occurred at an illegal rat-hole coal mine in the Mynsyngat–Thangsko area, resulting in 33 fatalities and multiple injuries, as reported by East Jaintia Hills authorities. While most victims have been identified, one male victim, described as a non-tribal individual approximately 40 years old and five feet tall, remains unidentified and unclaimed. His body has undergone necessary legal procedures and is currently housed at the morgue of Khliehriat Civil Hospital. In light of the incident and ongoing issues with illegal mining activities, District Magistrate Manish Kumar of East Khasi Hills has initiated measures to combat such practices. He has tasked officials from the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) with supporting the Directorate of ...

The first ever two-day Mi-kari Festival 2026 organised by the South West Garo Hills district administration, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and vibrant community participation, reflecting the spirit of unity and collaboration at Ampati student’s field.The South West Garo Hills district administration organised the festival to promote indigenous culture, traditional games, local talent and community participation while providing a platform for artists, entrepreneurs and various stakeholders.The festival features a wide range of engaging events, including a flower show showcasing the creativity and dedication of local growers, indigenous games celebrating traditional heritage, and a Healthy Baby Show promoting child health and wellbeing.The Master Chef Ampati competition highlights lo...

The National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday released its first list of 24 candidates for the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), marking the beginning of the party’s formal preparations for the polls across the Garo Hills region. The list was announced through an official notification issued by NPP state president Prestone Tynsong after the party’s State Election Committee approved the names. The candidates announced in the first phase will contest from constituencies spread across West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills and North Garo Hills districts. Party leaders said the selection process was carried out after consultations with local units and senior party members to ensure representation from different areas. Among the candidates named in the fi...

Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar said the state’s economy has almost doubled in the last seven years, describing the achievement as a reflection of the “resilience and determination of the people.” Addressing the opening of the Budget Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the Governor highlighted the state’s strong economic performance and outlined the government’s long-term development plans.According to the Governor, Meghalaya recorded a real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate of 9.66 percent in 2024-25, placing it among the fastest-growing states in the country. He said the state has maintained an average growth rate of around 10 percent for two consecutive years after the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating steady recovery and expansion. Meghalaya’s economy has...

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...