Shillong

Don Bosco Square in Laitumkhrah witnessed a large gathering on Monday as students, youth and citizens assembled in solidarity with education activist Sonam Wangchuk, demanding sweeping reforms in India's education system. The protesters voiced four key demands—an end to examination paper leaks, greater transparency in the education system, comprehensive education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Carrying placards reading "No More Paper Leaks", "Transparency in Education"* and "Education, Not Corruption", the demonstrators staged a peaceful protest while singing Michael Jackson's "They Don't Really Care About Us"*, symbolising what they described as the frustration and disappointment of students across the country. Protesters said recurring pap...

The Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, hosted the 14th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Sub-Group on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (SG-AML/CFT) in Shillong on July 20, bringing together delegations from all seven BIMSTEC member states to strengthen regional cooperation against financial crime. The meeting reviewed progress since the previous session and discussed national developments in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT), emerging risks, evolving criminal typologies and international best practices. Delegates stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation, timely information sharing, capacity building and the effective use of technology to tackle increasingly sophisticated and cross-border ...

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has sealed a mosque at 4th Furlong, Shillong, alleging that it lacked building permission. The KSU took the initiative coinciding with the 191st death anniversary of legendary Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem. The structure built on the land of one Nurul Choudhary had no requisite approvals, the KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle said in a statement. “We have sealed the Masjid. It will remain closed until documents are produced and it is verified how permission was obtained,” the KSU said. The KSU added that it will continue to monitor illegal construction in the city.

The Guwahati based Kutumba Surakshya Parishad has expressed concern over the demand of thr KSU to demolish temple inside CBI Office here. In a statement issued on Wednesday (July 15), the Parishad said they are not happy to hear the news of demand from KSU to demolish the common worship hall to be built inside the CBI Office of Shillong. "We condemn this kind ofbehaviour of KSU and all other allied groups or individuals. India is a secular country and therefore every citizen has the basic right to do his/her worship as he/she wishes to. Its a fundamental right. Anything against to it, can be referred as anti social, anti constitutionaland anti-national. We, being citizens of India and being the believers of the constitution of India must not encourage such kind of activities whic...

The Urban Affairs department is working on a plan to improve street lighting and clear tangled overhead wires from the streets of Shillong. Informing this on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar said the street lighting work will be entrusted to different agencies with clearly defined areas to avoid any confusion. “We are on the job. Going forward, street lights in several areas will be maintained by the Municipal Board. The Power department and Smart City will also handle proposals and upkeep in other pockets,” Dhar said. “We will specify the areas and which department — Municipal or Power — will look after them,” he said. In the first phase of the project, street lights will be installed in all important areas. Urban Affairs departmen...

The Sohra Civil Sub-Division has lifted the prohibitory orders at Weisawdong Falls after rival claimants from Laitduh and Umblai villages reached an amicable settlement, resolving the law and order concerns surrounding the tourist spot. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mark A Challam on Tuesday revoked the order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, stating there was no longer any imminent apprehension of a breach of peace. The restrictions were originally imposed on July 3 following tensions between the two villages over the popular three-tiered waterfall near Sohra. The decision to lift the order followed a joint meeting convened by the Sohra civil administration with representatives of Laitduh and Umblai. During the meeting, both sides resol...

A suspected bomb scare briefly disrupted normal life at the bustling Police Bazar (Center Point/9-Lad) area on Wednesday afternoon after an unattended bag was spotted abandoned on the roadside, triggering panic among pedestrians and local shopkeepers. The drama unfolded during peak hours when onlookers noticed the suspicious luggage lying unclaimed. Taking no chances, local authorities were alerted immediately. Police personnel quickly arrived at the scene, cordoned off the entire perimeter, and restricted vehicular and pedestrian movement to ensure public safety. A bomb detection squad was deployed to inspect the luggage. Following a thorough screening and inspection by the experts, tension eased as the bag was found to contain only personal belongings and nothing hazardous. ...

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday reviewed the progress of several flagship infrastructure projects in New Shillong, directing executing agencies to maintain quality, ensure safety and expedite construction to meet project timelines. Accompanied by senior government officials, CM Sangma inspected the New Secretariat Complex, Unity Mall, the Sports Complex at Umsawli and other ongoing works in the New Shillong Township. Reviewing the New Secretariat Complex, CM Sangma said the project would bring government departments under one roof, improving coordination, administrative efficiency and citizen service delivery once operational. He also reviewed the progress of the Unity Mall, which is being developed to provide a dedicated marketplace for Meghalaya’s artisans, weavers, ...

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Shillong, identified as Aanand Singh Chouhan, alongside two private individuals, for allegedly demanding a ₹12-lakh bribe from a contractor to clear a pending bill. The action follows a formal case registered on July 1 based on a complaint alleging that Chouhan demanded the illicit payout to process an outstanding invoice totaling ₹13.38 crore. According to the investigation, the public servant instructed the complainant to pay an advance installment of ₹4 lakh and directed him to route the transaction through intermediaries in Guwahati.   The agency uncovered an intricate distribution ring involving both localized drop-offs and interstate financial networks...

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya, on Monday inaugurated the two-day National Conference on "NextGen Administrative & e-Gov Reforms" at the State Convention Centre in Shillong. The conference has brought together more than 300 delegates from across the country, including senior policymakers, administrative officers, district collectors, academicians and governance experts, to discuss the future of technology-driven public administration and citizen-centric governance. Addressing the inaugural session, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, DARPG Secretary Nivedita Sh...