Meghalaya

Under the MLA Connect initiative, a locality visit programme was held within Tura Town on Tuesday to strengthen direct engagement between elected representatives, district administration, and residents. The programme was attended by Chief Minister of Meghalaya and Local MLA of 51–South Tura constituency, Conrad K. Sangma, as the chief guest. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal and Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma were also present, along with other officials and local residents. During the visit, citizens raised common issues related to road conditions, youth-related concerns, and other local matters. Interactions were held to understand these concerns, which were noted by the district administration and line departments for necessary follow-up and actio...

The Eastern Command Investiture Ceremony 2026, an annual event celebrating exemplary courage, devotion to duty, and distinguished service in the Indian Army, was conducted with solemn pride on 10 February 2026 at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya. The prestigious ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command. A total of 37 gallantry and distinguished service awards were presented, comprising 19 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 07 Sena Medals (Distinguished), 02 Yudh Seva Medals, 01 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal, 07 Vishisht Seva Medals, and 01 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, in recognition of outstanding acts of valour, leadership, and selfless service. In addition, 49 units and Army Public Sch...

The recent dynamite explosion in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills has resulted in a rising death toll, now at 30 fatalities, including three injured workers who succumbed to their injuries on Monday. The deceased include Raju Tamang, 34, who died after receiving treatment in Shillong, and two other critically injured workers from Silchar Medical College in Assam. Following the disaster, the district administration has escalated its crackdown on illegal mining activities in the region. Authorities seized large amounts of illegally extracted coal from various areas, including Lumshyrmit–Cham Cham and around Mukhaialong. Additionally, makeshift camps connected to these illegal operations have been dismantled. Legal actions, including FIR registrations, are ...

The Design The Design Innovation Centre (DIC) at NEHU, Shillong, will host a three-day programme titled ‘Innovation, Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship’ from February 19-21. The initiative is designed to support young innovators and promote growth across the education and design sectors. The event will feature workshops, stall exhibitions showcasing start-up innovations, and an Ideation and Innovation Challenge where participants can pitch solutions to real-world problems. Expert speakers and mentors will attend from institutions including SPA Delhi, IIT BHU, IIM Kashipur, IIM Shillong, the University of Rajasthan, and NEHU Tura Campus.Representatives from PRIME Meghalaya and the skill development sector will also lead sessions. College, university, and polytechnic students from acro...

Several sitting MDCs and former MLAs have expressed interest in contesting the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) polls on BJP ticket, party leader AL Hek said on Monday. Speaking to reporters, Hek stated that the BJP is actively preparing for the polls, asserting that the party remains active year-round rather than only during election cycles. "The BJP works 365 days a year to strengthen the organisation. We are not like students who study only when exams are near," the former minister said. He added that while groundwork has begun, the party has yet to decide on the total number of candidates it will field. The BJP is currently awaiting applications from aspirants, though Hek noted that a few candidates have already been identified. Hek further revealed that d...

To strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms against natural disasters, especially earthquakes, the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA), District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), conducted a State Level Mock Drill Exercise on Earthquake Disaster on Monday at two locations in Ri Bhoi District. The mock drill was first conducted at Shillong Airport, Umroi and later at M/s Umiam Distillation Pvt. Limited, EPIP, Byrnihat. As per the exercise scenario, a major earthquake measuring 8.2 magnitude struck Shillong, which also affected the two locations in Ri Bhoi District. The drill simulated situations involving injured civilians requiring ...

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday expressed serious concern over what it described as a "distressing" failure of authorities to curb rampant illegal rat-hole coal mining in East Jaintia Hills district that claimed 27, officials said. The HC bench of Judges HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh also warned that accountability would be fixed and an independent or central agency probe could be ordered if required.The observations came as Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar of East Jaintia Hills appeared in connection with the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in Thangsku area of Mynsngat village, 130 km east of here.. A division bench of Justices H S Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh warned that accountability would be fixed and that the court could order a p...

East Jaintia Hills Police on Monday stated that search and rescue operations are continuing in connection with the illegal coal mining blast that occurred on February 5, even as the matter is presently under consideration of the High Court.Speaking to mediapersons, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said the High Court has taken cognisance of the incident and summoned the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Jaintia Hills for personal appearance.The SP said that the police are proceeding in accordance with the law and assured that the investigation is moving forward steadily.“The investigation is ongoing. Arrests have been made and the case is progressing in the right direction. We are confident of bringing it to a logical conclusion,” he said.Addressing c...

What began as a visit to inspect a deadly accident site turned into a chilling exposé of rampant illegal coal mining across East Jaintia Hills, as BP Katakey, Head of the High Court–appointed Committee, narrated his first-hand account of the tragedy and what he described as a complete administrative blind spot. Katakey said he left for Thangskovillage early on the morning of February 6, immediately after reports of the illegal coal mine accident surfaced. “I reached around 11.45 in the morning and proceeded to the accident site by about 1 pm,” he said. What awaited him, however, was far more disturbing than the incident itself. “Not only at the accident site, but on both sides of the road leading to it, illegal coal mining activities were going on everywhere,” Katakey stated. Passing thro...

The Meghalaya government has decided to set up a Judicial Inquiry Commission to investigate the recent mining tragedy in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district, where the death toll has risen to 27. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced that the inquiry would be constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act to examine the circumstances that led to the incident and identify those responsible. Officials said the tragedy has also revealed an inter-state dimension, as at least six of the deceased workers were residents of Assam. Many of the victims were daily-wage labourers who had travelled to the region in search of work and were engaged in hazardous mining operations when the accident occurred. Authorities stated that several of the workers were employed informally...