Shillong

Traffic movement and also of the pedestrians in Laitumkhrah eased considerably on Monday morning after roadside vendors were shifted to designated vending sites identified by the State Government. Officials from the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), along with police personnel descended on Laitumkhrah in the morning to facilitate the relocation of street vendors to the premises at Brightstarwell Bungalow in Barik and the SMB parking lot at Dhankheti. The exercise was carried out without any major confrontation, with most vendors complying with the direction to move to the designated sites.The streets, which had witnessed congestion due to roadside vending, appeared significantly more open following the relocation. The move comes days after vendors had opposed the proposed relocatio...

South Shillong MLA and Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai released development schemes worth over Rs 65.45 crore, sanctioned by the Government, at a gathering held at the State Convention Hall, Shillong, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. The schemes were sanctioned through various departments, including the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund and the MLA Scheme. Speaking at the gathering, the MLA explained the different schemes to be implemented using the Rs 65 crore allocation. At the same time, Sanbor thanked the Government, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers, as well as the officials who supported and worked together to undertake development activities in the South Shillong Constituency. On the occasion, the MLA also cut his birthday cake in the ...

Internationally acclaimed Polish guitarist, composer, and producer Marcin Patrzałek has arrived in Shillong ahead of the Meghalaya leg of his Marcin, Art of Guitar Tour 2026, with the highly anticipated concert scheduled for August 12, 2026, at the Lariti Performing Centre, Mawkasiang, Shillong. Speaking about his arrival in Meghalaya and his first impressions of the State, Marcin expressed his fascination with the region’s natural beauty and distinct character. Sharing about his journey to Shillong he noted, “Even on the drive here, just from the airport, I just couldn't stop taking videos on my phone through the window, just because of the nature, how exotic it is for me. So, I kind of feel like I'm in a different world right now." Marcin also spoke about the energy of Indian audi...

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has declared that it won’t obey the restriction imposed on a scheduled public meeting at Khliehriat on August 11 and go ahead with it even without permission. The East Jaintia Hills district administration had in May 2026 prohibited assembly of five or more persons near the DC’s Office. Arguing that the order has expired, the KSU said, “No order under this section shall remain in force for more than two months from the making thereof.” KSU said it wants to hold the meeting in front of the statue of U Kiang Nangbah inside the DC office premises, calling it “a symbol of resistance and inspiration to the Union.” The Union demanded immediate permission and issued a clear warning.

Amid concerns over the environmental impact of the ongoing Shillong Ropeway Project, the State Government on Saturday called stakeholders for an inspection and meeting and clarified that the project has not caused any environmental degradation. Commissioner and Secretary of the Tourism Department, RM Kurbah, responded to queries raised by the Rangbah Shnong and citizens during the meeting. Speaking to media persons after the inspection and meeting, Kurbah clarified that there is no water source near the project site. She also said that the height of the ropeway was initially planned to be much lower. However, after realising that the project could affect trees measuring up to 25 metres in height, the Government prepared a fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR), increasing the height...

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Thursday demanded that the public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project be declared "null and void", alleging that those opposed to the project were not given a fair opportunity to participate. Addressing reporters, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said it was the government's responsibility to ensure that both supporters and opponents of the project were heard, public concerns were addressed, and the project's merits were clearly explained before any decision was taken. Basaiawmoit also questioned the excavation of roads leading to the public hearing venue, drawing a comparison with earlier incidents where FIRs were reportedly filed against youths who highlighted alleged poor road construction. He said the circumstances created ...

Thousands of Voice of the People Party (VPP) supporters took to the streets on Thursday as the party’s much-publicised protest march to the State Secretariat witnessed a massive turnout. The rally passed off peacefully under heavy security deployment and without any untoward incident. Supporters began converging near Civil Hospital well before the start of the programme, with many others joining the procession as it moved through the city. The crowd steadily swelled as participants continued to pour in even after the march had commenced. The procession saw VPP leaders and supporters march around the State Secretariat before halting briefly at the Additional Secretariat parking lot. From there, the rally continued past the State Secretariat towards the Deputy Commissioner’s ...

The VPP on Thursday demanded that the public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project be declared "null and void", alleging that those opposed to the project were not given a fair opportunity to participate. VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit questioned the government's handling of the hearing, saying it was its responsibility to hear both supporters and opponents, address public concerns, and explain the project's merits before taking any decision.

Heavy security deployment was witnessed around the Main Secretariat ahead of the Voice of the People's Party's (VPP) peaceful march on Thursday morning. The East Khasi Hills district administration and police put in place elaborate security arrangements following the party's announcement of a march towards the Secretariat. Police personnel were deployed at strategic locations leading to the Secretariat, while iron barricades were erected along approach roads to regulate the movement of protesters and vehicles. The barricades were arranged to allow demonstrators to assemble on one side of the road while ensuring smooth traffic flow on the other side. Security forces maintained a strict vigil around the Secretariat complex to prevent any breach of law and order. As part of preca...

As many as seven wooden shops were gutted after a fire broke out at Last Stop, Shillong, on Wednesday night. The blaze spread rapidly through the closely packed structures before Fire & Emergency Services brought it under control, preventing a major disaster. No human or animal casualties were reported. The affected shops included archery counters, a salon, fruit stalls and other small businesses. Fire officials said the cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, with an inquiry to be completed within the next 24 hours. Iewduh Fire Station Officer Dinesh Rai said the Fire and Emergency Services received the distress call shortly after 9 pm and rushed two fire tenders to the spot. Firefighters contained the blaze within minutes. He said it was a small fire in terms of operationa...