Shillong

The complaint of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against Shillong Ropeway project that the local Dorbar Shnong did not properly inform the public about the project is an internal matter of the locality, according to the state government. “The JAC raised grievances regarding how the public hearing was done. We told them this is an internal matter which the government cannot interfere with,” said Commissioner and Secretary in-charge Tourism R M Kurbah on Friday. “I cannot say if the Dorbar informed the public because I am not part of that committee,” Kurbah said a day after chairing a meeting with the JAC delegation. The established practice to proceed on any project is to take the Dorbar Shnong into confidence. “Whenever we have a project, we usually take the Dorbar into confi...

BJP MLA from Pynthorumkhrah, AL Hek, has defended the Durga Puja celebrations at RR Colony, asserting that the festivities have been held inside the temple premises for over six decades and questioning the need to shift the celebration to another location next year. Speaking on the issue, Hek maintained that the RR Colony Durga Puja was different from celebrations that set up pandals on public roads and disrupt traffic movement. “We have been celebrating Durga Puja for the last 60–70 years here in RR Colony. But we celebrate the Puja inside the temple. All the pandal and everything are inside the temple. How can you say that next year we have to shift the Durga Puja to some other vicinity?” Hek said. He asserted that the celebrations had not caused any disruption to traffic along...

Shillong will host the 5th KIO North East Zone Karate Championship 2026 from October 22 to 24, with 899 athletes, coaches, referees and team officials expected to take part in the three-day event. Organised by the Karate India Organisation (KIO), the championship will be hosted by the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA), with support from the Meghalaya government's Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. The competition will take place at the Convocation Hall of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong. The championship will bring together karatekas from across the North East, providing young athletes an opportunity to compete at the zonal level and showcase their skills. The event also aims to strengthen the sport's presence in the region and encourage sporting exce...

As Durga Puja approaches, artisans are busy giving the final touches to Goddess Durga’s idols. However, behind the festive preparations, these idol-makers are facing uncertainty as the place where they have been working is soon expected to be vacated following the sale of the property. The artists have been using the premises to create idols ahead of the annual festival, putting in days of hard work to ensure the idols are ready in time for the celebrations. But with the property sold, their future at the site remains uncertain. Losing the space would mean losing their current workplace, leaving them with the challenge of finding another place to continue their work. While the city prepares to welcome Goddess Durga, the situation has raised questions about where these artisans wi...

The Meghalaya government has convened a stakeholder meeting on Thursday to discuss the proposed Shillong Peak Ropeway Project amid mounting opposition from local residents and civil society groups demanding that the project be scrapped from Lum Shyllong and relocated to a non-sensitive site. According to a notice issued by the Tourism Department on October 14, the meeting is scheduled for 2.30 pm in Committee Room-II of the Main Secretariat Building in Shillong. It will be chaired by R. M. Kurbah, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya’s Tourism Department. The meeting will bring together key officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, the Chief Executive Officer of the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority, the Superintendent of Police, th...

BJP MLA AL Hek has issued a strong message on protests, asserting that while the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful demonstrations, anyone taking the law into their own hands must face punishment. Emphasising the need to maintain law and order, Hek said protests must remain within the constitutional framework and should not involve provocation or unlawful activities. “If it is within the framework of the Constitution, a peaceful protest is allowed. There should be no provocation, and nobody should take the law into their own hands,” Hek said. Drawing a clear line between peaceful demonstrations and unlawful conduct, the BJP leader stressed that people must exercise their right to protest responsibly without violating the law. “We must have peaceful protests within t...

A heated exchange erupted in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday after Chairman Strong Pillar Kharjana rejected a Zero Hour Notice regarding the Governor’s reported return of the Council’s Amendment Land Bill, citing the lack of official communication on the matter despite it being in the public domain.Buy Maps Moving the notice, Laban MDC Ricky Shullai questioned the Chairman’s decision to disallow a discussion on a matter that he said was already in the public domain. “We as members have the privilege to bring a zero hour discussion immediately after the question hour. What will it cost you, Chairman, to allow that? Why did you decline this zero hour notice?” Shullai asked. He said the House was entitled to seek a response from the Executive Committ...

The year-long Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Lumparing Vidyapith School, Shillong culminated on 14th October 2026, with a grand closing ceremony, marking a memorable milestone in the 75 year journey of the esteemed institution. The ceremony was graced by Shri Sanbor Shullai, Hon'ble Cabinet Minister, Minister of Arts and Culture, Govt of Meghalaya, who attended as Chief Guest. Smti Ruby Z. Das Addl. D.S.E.L, West Garo Hills, Tura and I/C Jt DSEL, Meghalaya Shillong served as Guest of Honour. The event also welcomed Smti Ayushi Pradhan, I.A.S, S.D.O, SADAR, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong as the dignitary of Eminence, and Smti. I. Kharduit, D.S.E.O., East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, as the Special Guest. The programme under the leadership of President Shri Nanigopal Das ...

The livelihood of 17 street vendors on Jail Road in Shillong remained uncertain as they continued to await their Certificates of Vending (COVs) from the Shillong Municipal Board. The Hynniewtrep Jailroad Street Vendors Association has refused to relocate to Polo until the pending certificates are addressed, stating that shifting without a resolution could threaten the daily income of several families dependent on street vending. Supporting the vendors, the state youth and women’s wings of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) questioned the government’s approach to the relocation issue, highlighting its potential impact on vulnerable groups, particularly single mothers who depend on vending to support their families. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has assured the vendors t...

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, laid the Foundation Stone for the Mini Secretariat, Patharkhmah in the presence of Minister, Secretariat Administration etc Sosthenes Sohtun, in a program held at Western Ri Bhoi Football Ground, Patharkhmah. The new Jirang Block Office was inaugurated at Jirang by a renowned football athlete of the area Ribansi Jamu in the presence of the Chief Minister and the dignitatries, the new building of Patharkhmah Senior Secondary School and Patharkhmah Model Degree College were also inaugurated during the occasion. The Jirang C&RD Block was created on 24 March 2001 with its headquarters at Patharkhmah, and for most families in this area the Block Office is the first and most frequent point of contact with the Government. The foundation stone of ...