Shillong Archives - Meghalaya Today

Shillong To Host 8 Durand Cup 2026 Matches From July 31

11Jul

By PreetiNo Comments

Meghalaya, Shillong, Sports

Shillong To Host 8 Durand Cup 2026 Matches From July 31

Meghalaya’s Shillong is set to host several important matches of the 135th Durand Cup 2026, India’s oldest football tournament. A festive atmosphere has already gripped the football-loving state ahead of the competition. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Meghalaya’s Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said it is a matter of great pride for the state to host a prestigious tournament like the Durand Cup. The state’s long-standing association with football and the passion of the people make this hosting even more significant. The Minister extended his best wishes to Shillong’s three participating clubs — Shillong Lajong FC, Nongthymmai Sports Social and Cultural Club, and Rangdajied United FC — and expressed hope that they would bring further glory to Meghalaya...

Shillong to host 135th edition of Durand Cup from July 31

11Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

Shillong to host 135th edition of Durand Cup from July 31

Football enthusiasts in Shillong are thrilled and filled with immense excitement for the 135th edition of the Durand Cup 2026. On the occasion of this historic tournament, the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Wailadmiki Shylla, addressed the event. The Sports Minister praised the deep roots of football in Meghalaya and the unwavering passion of its people for the sport. He stated that the Government of Meghalaya feels immensely proud to host a prestigious tournament like the Durand Cup. The Minister extended his special best wishes to the three local teams participating from Shillong—Shillong Lajong FC, Nongthymmai Sports Social & Cultural Club, and Rangdajied United FC—expressing hope that they will perform brilliantly on this national stage and bring laurel...

HSPDP rules out contesting Shillong Lok Sabha Bypoll, will not back UDP candidate

10Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

HSPDP rules out contesting Shillong Lok Sabha Bypoll, will not back UDP candidate

The Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) on Thursday announced that it will neither field acandidate nor support the United Democratic Party (UDP) nominee in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election. Addressing a press conference, HSPDP president K.P. Pangniang said the party had decided against contesting the bypoll as there was very little time for preparations. He also said the party would not extend support to the UDP candidate following differences within the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) over the selection of a consensus nominee. Pangniang recalled that the HSPDP had backed the UDP candidate under the RDA banner in the previous two Lok Sabha elections. However, he said thealliance partners could not arrive at a consensus this time. "As a party, we wanted ...

Shillong traders’ body justify KHADC ban on Blinkit

10Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

Shillong traders’ body justify KHADC ban on Blinkit

A section of Shillong's trading community has thrown its weight behind the VPP-led Executive Committee of the KHADC in opposing the return of quick-commerce platform Blinkit, arguing that its operation would severely affect the livelihoods of thousands of local traders and workers. Representatives of the city's business community on Thursday expressed concern over reports that Blinkit could resume operations in Shillong, maintaining that its previous presence had adversely impacted local businesses. Speaking on behalf of the group, Andrew Nongkynrih recalled that Blinkit operated in Shillong for about three months in 2025, during which local traders witnessed a sharp decline in business. He said many shops reported a fall in sales ranging from 40-50%, while 30 to 40 establishment...

Behdienkhlam festival ends with colourful display of traditions

10Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

Behdienkhlam festival ends with colourful display of traditions

Thousands of devotees gathered at the sacred Aitnar in Jowai on Thursday as the four-day annual Behdieñkhlam festival concluded with traditional rituals symbolising the triumph over disease, social evils and negative forces while invoking divine blessings for peace, prosperity and a bountiful harvest. Celebrated every year in mid-July after the sowing season, Behdieñkhlam is the most important festival of the Niamtre faithful of the Pnar community. In the Pnar language, ‘Khlam’ means plague or pestilence, while ‘Beh Dieñ’ signifies driving away disease and social evils through sacred rituals performed with wooden logs and religious fervour. The festival’s principal ritual centres around the Dieñkhlam – a large, straight and polished tree trunks ceremonially felled from designated fo...

Tibetian community of Shillong hold peaceful protest in Police bazar against Chinese agression

10Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

Tibetian community of Shillong hold peaceful protest in Police bazar against Chinese agression

Tibetan organisations based in Shillong have called on the United Nations and the international community to intervene over the human rights situation in Tibet, alleging continued restrictions on Tibetan identity, language, religion and culture under Chinese rule. The appeal was made through a joint press statement issued on July 9 by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and the Regional Tibetan Women's Association. The groups also paid tribute to Pawo Lobga Rangzen, a Tibetan man who reportedly self-immolated near the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 2. According to the organisations, the act was intended to draw international attention to the situation in Tibet. The statement alleged that Tibetans continue to face curbs on their political freedoms and human rights...

Three killed after two-wheeler crashes into parked truck

8Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

Three killed after two-wheeler crashes into parked truck

Three youths were killed in a road accident on Monday night after the two-wheeler they were riding crashed into a parked truck along the Shillong Bypass in Ri-Bhoi district. “The impact of the collision was severe. The victims sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead,” a police official said. Police identified the deceased as residents of Umden Umsaitprah. Further investigation is underway.

BJP RR Colony celebrates 125th birth anniversary of Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee

7Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

BJP RR Colony celebrates 125th birth anniversary of Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee

The BJP RR COLONY Local Committee commemorated the 125th Birth Anniversary of the party's founding father Dr Shyama Prasad Mookherjee at the local party office on Monday. Floral tributes were offered at the portrait of Dr. Mookherjee followed by deliberation on his life and activities. Prominent speakers included Party Spokesperson Arnab Das, Senior leader David Kharsati and former MLA Dr. Jemino Mawthow. Speakers recalled the pivotal role played by Dr. Mookherjee in assimilating West Bengal and North Eastern states with the rest of India. In his speech, Chief Guest and Pynthorumkhrah MLA A.L.Hek lauded the people of West Bengal for paying befitting tribute to Dr. Mookherjee on his 125 birth year by electing a BJP Government. He also exuded confidence that the formal induction of...

CBI nabs NHAI Shillong official, 2 others in Rs 12 lakh bribe demand

7Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

CBI nabs NHAI Shillong official, 2 others in Rs 12 lakh bribe demand

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Shillong, along with two private persons for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 12 lakh from a contractor in exchange for clearing his pending bill of Rs 13.38 crore. The arrested have been identified as NHAI Project Director Aanand Singh Chouhan, Punit Agarwal and Manish Agarwal. The case was registered by the CBI on July 1 following a complaint lodged by Mohd. Matlebuddin Ahmed, Director of Purvanchal Buildtech. According to the CBI, Chouhan demanded an undue advantage of Rs 12 lakh from Ahmed to process the contractor’s outstanding bill. On June 30, the NHAI official allegedly instructed Ahmed to pay an advance of Rs 4 lakh as part of the bribe and dir...

CBI Arrests NHAI Shillong Project Director and Two Others in ₹12 Lakh Bribery Case

6Jul

By ParomitaNo Comments

Shillong

CBI Arrests NHAI Shillong Project Director and Two Others in ₹12 Lakh Bribery Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Project Director of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Shillong and two private persons in a bribery case.The arrested accused are Aanand Singh Chouhan, Project Director (PIU), NHAI, Shillong and two private individuals Punit Agarwal and Manish Agarwal.An official source said the CBI registered the instant case on July 1 against the accused public servant of NHAI, Shillong and a private person and others based on a complaint. It was alleged that the accused Project Director of NHAI demanded bribe/undue advantage of Rs. 12 Lakh from the complainant to process his outstanding bill to the tune of Rs. 13.38 crore.The accused public servant instructed the complainant to give part of the bribe amount to the tune of Rs. 4 Lakh in a...