Meghalaya

In a celebration blending culture, cuisine, and community pride, the picturesque town of Ampati in Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills hosted its first-ever Te•brong Festival, dedicated to the humble jackfruit — a fruit deeply rooted in the region’s tradition and livelihood. Held at the Multi Facility Centre, the event marked a unique milestone in the district’s cultural calendar. Organised jointly by the District Administration and the Tourism Department, the one-day festival drew large crowds of locals, students, entrepreneurs, and self-help groups (SHGs), transforming the venue into a bustling hub of colour, flavour, and innovation. The event was graced by Mahendraganj MLA Sanjay A. Sangma, Rangsakona MLA Subir M. Marak, Deputy Commissioner Hema Nayak, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kum...

In a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the honeymoon murder case of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, the Meghalaya Police on Monday arrested Lokendra Singh Tomar, the owner of the Indore flat where prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi stayed after fleeing the crime scene. Tomar, a resident of Gwalior, was taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for allegedly sheltering Sonam and concealing crucial evidence. His arrest marks the eighth in the case, which has captured nationwide attention due to its shocking plot and chilling execution. Confirming the arrest, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police V. Syiem said Tomar played a role in helping Sonam evade arrest, while also interfering with evidence recovery. Other arrests so far include Sonam, he...

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has confirmed that the state will begin construction of a Rs 51.7 crore skywalk in Mawkdok, East Khasi Hills, following the completion of the tendering process. The project is scheduled to start after the monsoon season. The announcement came during Sangma’s visit to Mawkdok on Monday under the “CM Connect” programme, aimed at strengthening government engagement with local communities. The skywalk is being pitched as a major tourism infrastructure initiative that is expected to significantly transform the region's appeal. The skywalk will feature a 40-metre-long walkway, including a 7-metre-wide cantilever section that will extend over the valley, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Officials say this will make it one of the l...

In a crucial development in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, a team of Shillong Police from Meghalaya conducted a late-night operation in Indore, seizing the CCTV DVR system from the residence of Shilom James, a local property dealer. According to sources, Shilom James was present during the seizure and cooperated with the police team. James had earlier been arrested on June 21 for allegedly renting out a flat to the primary accused, Sonam, who is currently under investigation. The CCTV footage is expected to provide critical evidence in piecing together the timeline and movements of those involved in the crime. The Meghalaya police have remained tight-lipped about the exact contents of the DVR but confirmed that the material is being sent for forensic analysis.

Season 3 of the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project, now known as the "Chief Minister's Grassroots Music Production (CMGMP)," was launched by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in honor of World Music Day, ushering in a revolutionary new era in the state's musical and cultural history. According to CM Sangma, the Rs 3.5 crore project that initially supported 2,500 artists has expanded into a Rs 69 crore program that empowers over 5,400 artists and makes it possible for more over 38,000 live performances around Meghalaya. Now that it has been promoted to a permanent, structured platform, CMGMP will offer more support for music production, extensive training in music theory, and established performance spaces. CM Sangma described the project as "deeply personal," reflecting on his ...

The Meghalaya government has released Rs 19 crore under its flagship FOCUS (Farmers’ Collectivisation for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems) scheme, aimed at bolstering rural livelihoods across the state. Of this, Rs 8 crore has been disbursed to over 4,600 Producer Groups (PGs) in the Garo Hills, reflecting the administration’s sustained efforts to empower grassroots communities and promote self-reliance in agriculture. The announcement was made during a public event at Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma Athletic Stadium in Tura, where Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma also laid the foundation stone for the Additional Secretariat Complex. The move is part of the government’s broader push to decentralise governance and increase regional access to administrative services. FOCUS has emerge...

In a major breakthrough in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, the Meghalaya Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday arrested a security guard from Madhya Pradesh, adding another crucial link in the complex investigation surrounding the killing of the Indore-based businessman. The arrest comes shortly after the SIT apprehended a property dealer from Bhonrasa toll-gate in Dewas district late Saturday evening. The accused, Silome James, was allegedly trying to flee to Bhopal when he was intercepted and arrested. According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, James had leased the flat in Heera Bagh Colony where Sonam Raghuvanshi, the victim’s wife and a prime accused in the case, stayed after the murder. Following James’s arrest, the police team tracked and ar...

The state government has decided to wait for Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang’s comments on the report of the Expert Committee on Reservation Policy, before taking a final call on the matter. Wahlang on Friday said he will submit his recommendations on the expert committee’s report to the government by August 31. The Cabinet recently entrusted the chief secretary and senior government officials with the responsibility of studying the report submitted by the committee headed by Justice (retired) Mool Chand Garg. The panel was constituted in September 2023. When contacted, Wahlang said that they are currently studying the report. “I will be submitting my recommendations by August 31 on the steps needed to be taken by the state government, as per the report of the expert committee,” he...

The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has officially suspended Professor Nirmalendu Saha, the Dean of the School of Life Sciences and a senior faculty member in the Department of Zoology, following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on bribery charges. The university confirmed the suspension in a statement released Friday, citing standard procedural rules triggered after Saha remained in CBI custody for more than 48 hours. Professor Saha was apprehended on June 12 during a CBI sting operation at the Guwahati University Guest House, where he was allegedly caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹3.43 lakh. The bribe was linked to a broader scheme involving manipulation of procurement processes for scientific equipment and laboratory materials. According to CBI off...

North-Eastern Hill University has formally suspended Professor Nirmalendu Saha after he spent 48 hours in Central Bureau of Investigation custody, the institution's Public Relations Officer announced on Friday. The suspension follows university regulations that automatically trigger such action when faculty members remain in investigative custody beyond two days. Professor Saha, who holds dual roles as Dean of the School of Life Sciences and Professor of Zoology at the Shillong-based university, was arrested on June 12 during a CBI sting operation at Guwahati University Guest House. He was caught accepting Rs 3.43 lakh in bribes while allegedly facilitating supply contracts potentially worth significantly more. The arrest came after the CBI received credible intelligence about systemat...