Meghalaya

The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to expand the scope of the Judicial Enquiry Commission to examine the link between suppliers and buyers of illegal coal in the state. The direction comes in the wake of the recent mine explosion at Mynsngat-Thangsko in East Jaintia Hills district, in which 33 people lost their lives. The incident has once again brought the issue of illegal coal mining into focus. In an order passed on Tuesday, a division bench comprising Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh said that while the existing terms of reference of the commission appeared detailed, they did not clearly mention fixing accountability and liability on responsible persons or authorities. The court observed that a fact-finding report alone would not be enough unless...

As part of FY 2025–26 CSR initiatives, NEEPCO  proudly flagged off an ambulance donated to Dorbar Shnong, Laitkor Nongdaneng, East Khasi Hills, reaffirming its commitment to community welfare and accessible healthcare. The ceremony was held in the gracious presence of Dr. Mangkara Kharkongor, Headman, Bah Maitshaphrang Kharkongor, Secretary, Rangbah Dong and Secretary Dong, Executive Members of the Dorbar and local residents of Laitkor Nongdaneng. The ambulance was flagged off by Shri Samiran Sinha Ray, CHRO, NEEPCO, in presence of senior officers of the Corporation.This initiative reflects NEEPCO’s continued dedication towards strengthening grassroots healthcare infrastructure and supporting communities in times of need.

The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong Bill, 2026, paving the way for the proposed upgradation of the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong into a State University. With the grant of university status, the institution will be empowered to independently award degrees to public health graduates and scholars. The move is expected to strengthen academic autonomy and enhance the overall quality of higher education and research in the field of public health.The decision is being seen as a major step forward not only for Meghalaya but for the entire Northeast region. As a State University, IIPH Shillong is expected to evolve into a centre of excellence, contributing to capacity building, advanced research, and the strengthening of public heal...

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Meghalaya unit has demanded a public apology and retraction from senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member Sunil Deodhar due to his remarks about the Christian community, made during the Indigenous Faith Forum and a school inauguration. BJP state general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna expressed deep concern over Deodhar's statements, which he claimed displayed bias against Christians and showed contempt for the Holy Bible, particularly by referring to Jesus Christ with a derogatory term from Khasi culture. Pohshna noted that these comments offended the sentiments of Christians in Meghalaya and those who value principles such as Ekatma Manavaad (Integral Humanism) and Sarva Dharma Sambhav. He emphasized that while preserving indigenous religions is cr...

Deputy Chief Minister incharge Home Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday told the Assembly that a solution is near on the disputed 600-metre stretch of Happy Valley-Mawshbuit road, which falls under defence land. “Let me inform the House that a solution is more or less reached to a final conclusion. Yesterday, chief minister has called a meeting where the GTC of the Army and all officers of the defense and also officials of the state government attended and in the meeting we had I am happy to inform that the GTC and defence authority has agreed not to disturb or not to create stoppage of movement of traffic going or coming out of Mawshbuit village,” Tynsong said while replying to supplementary question raised by VPP legislator from Mawryngkneng Heaving Stone Kharpran. Tynsong said a resurvey wi...

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Monday assured the Assembly he would expedite the process of establishing a veterinary college, two fishery colleges, and a dairy college, first proposed by cabinet in 2022. “These were the three colleges which we have decided…because of the urgent need keeping in mind that large population of the state is engaging in livestock rearing,” Sangma said, responding to a question by his wife and NPP legislator of Gambegre Mehtab Chandee A Sangma on Tuesday. Conrad said that the veterinary training centres exist across Meghalaya, though he did not have the exact number or locations. When Mehtab raised concerns about staff shortages faced by these training centres, the chief minister said, “It is definitely a matter of concern…steps are being taken to ensure man...

Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu has strongly condemned the incident of racial abuse faced by three women from the state residing at Malviya Nagar in South Delhi. Terming the incident as shameful, Khandu said that such behavior is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our society. Immediately after learning about the matter yesterday, I spoke with the Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, and sought swift and strict action. The CP is in touch with me. The accused are currently absconding, and I have been assured that they will be apprehended at the earliest and dealt with as per law,” the Chief Minister said. “We stand firmly with our three sisters, and their safety, dignity, and justice remain our highest priority,” he stated.Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma also conde...

The Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Meghalaya, seized drugs worth over Rs 55 lakh during a raid in Lower Rynjah, Shillong, on Monday. Police suspect the haul is linked to a larger interstate drug trafficking network. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the ANTF team searched the residence of alleged drug supplier Rahul Chhetri under provisions of the NDPS Act. During the operation, officials recovered 2,060 Nitrazepam tablets, estimated to be worth Rs 8.24 lakh in the illegal market. In addition, 23 plastic soap boxes containing suspected heroin weighing a total of 237 grams were seized. The heroin is valued at approximately Rs 47.4 lakh in the illegal market. A cash amount of Rs 27,300 was also confiscated from the premises. However, the main accused, Rahul Chhetri, managed to f...

Conrad K Sangma on February 23 informed the Assembly that Meghalaya has generated an estimated 3.66 lakh jobs between 2019 and 2025, with agriculture accounting for the largest share of employment. Replying to the debate on the Governor’s Address, the chief minister said agriculture alone contributed 1.90 lakh jobs, driven by targeted interventions such as floriculture (789 jobs), mushroom cultivation (4,078), fruit development (12,714), organic farming (47,927) and the Lakadong mission (15,333). He said the benefits were spread across districts, citing organic farming employment in West Garo Hills (5,279), Ri-Bhoi (4,301) and East Khasi Hills (4,728). Beyond agriculture, Sangma stated that the hospitality sector added 12,683 jobs, transport generated 9,835, and manufacturing and recyc...

Mukul Sangma, the opposition leader in Meghalaya, criticized the state government for its delays in announcing recruitment results, which he argues violates the Meghalaya Police Act 2010. He warned that the growing frustration among unemployed youth could lead to unrest, particularly in the Khasi and Garo Hills, where some may resort to armed actions. Sangma emphasized that numerous FIRs are left uninvestigated due to insufficient police personnel and expressed dismay over the government's failure to fill vacancies in the police force, suggesting it reflects a neglectful attitude towards public safety and the interests of local youths. He challenged the government's characterization of Meghalaya as peaceful, pointing to rising tensions in West Garo Hills and inadequate border security wit...