Shillong

Speed limits are now officially specified for various categories of vehicles by the Ri-Bhoi Police, especially in view of the frequent accident, including many fatal ones, along the busy Guwahati-Shillong Road. According to a notification by the Ri-Bhoi Police, the maximum speed limit for Private Service Vehicles is 80 kmph, while the limit on curves is 40 kmph. In junctions and at pedestrian crossings, the limit is reduced to 20 kmph. For Heavy Goods Vehicles, the maximum speed limit is 60 kmph. This is further reduced to 30 kmph on curves and 20 kmph in junctions and pedestrian crossings. Motorcycles are permitted a maximum speed of 80 kmph, with limits of 40 kmph on curves and 20 kmph at junctions and pedestrian crossings. The Ri-Bhoi Police has also approached the National Highw...

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Friday announced that it will not allow NEIGRIHMS Director Prof Nalin Mehta to enter the institute’s premises until he takes concrete steps to address the union’s long-pending demands. KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah expressed surprise that Prof Mehta had travelled to Delhi instead of resolving key concerns raised by the student body—particularly regarding the recruitment process at NEIGRIHMS. “This clearly shows that Prof Mehta is not serious about resolving the issues plaguing the institute,” Thabah said, adding, “We stand firm in our decision: the director will not be allowed entry into NEIGRIHMS until our demands are met.” He criticized Prof Mehta’s decision to leave for Delhi, calling it a sign of disregard for the students’ concerns. He...

IIM Shillong bid farewell to Prof D P Goyal, who served as the director of the institution since March 2019. Prof Nalini Prava Tripathy has now been appointed as the new director (in-charge), reports Manosh Das. "Prof Goyal's tenure has been marked by exemplary leadership, academic excellence, and significant contributions to the institute's growth and reputation," an IIM statement said. The farewell programme was attended by Shishir Kumar Bajoria, chairperson of the board of governors, DP Wahlang, chief secretary of the govt of Meghalaya, and other distinguished guests. Bajoria praised Goyal for his leadership and efforts in strengthening the academic standing of the institute. Chief secretary Wahlang, who is also a member of the board, recalled being taught by Prof Goyal during hi...

A meeting between the state government and Harijan Panchayat Committee to resolve the relocation issue remained inconclusive on Tuesday. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong stated that the government is still awaiting communication from the Government of India through the Defence Ministry on the state government’s plea for a plot of land to relocate the residents. The state government had initially planned to relocate 342 families from Them Iew Mawlong to the Shillong Municipal Board premises on Bivar Road. However, the HPC demanded an allocation of 200 square meters of land to each family anywhere within the European Ward, which does not fall under the ambit of the Sixth Schedule. In the interim, the state government acquired 12,444.13 square meters of land at Harijan Colony aga...

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on Monday conferred the Padma Shri to academician David Reid Syiemlieh from Meghalaya in the field of Literature and Education during the ceremony. Prof. Syiemlieh is a scholar of history and culture of the North East and a former Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission. Born on January 22, 1953, in Assam’s Mutrapore, he graduated with honours in History in 1974 from St. Edmund’s College, Shillong. This was followed by an MPhil in 1980 and a PhD in 1985 from the North-Eastern Hill University. He taught in St. Edmund’s College (1977-1979) and NEHU (1979-2012), where he held several responsible positions, including Dean of Students’ Welfare, Head, Department of History, and Controller of Examinations, apart from officiating as Registrar and...

Markets across Shillong wore a deserted look today as shops remained closed in solidarity and protest against the killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The shutdown, called by traders under the banner of the Meghalaya Citizens Forum, was observed voluntarily, with no enforcement or coercion. The tragic incident at Pahalgam, where civilians were gunned down and many others injured, has sparked widespread outrage. Prominent marketplaces like lewduh, lew Mawlong, Khyndai Lad (Police Bazar), and Polo Market saw near-total closure, while a few shops remained open in areas such as Malki and parts of Laitumkhrah.

A powerful storm accompanied by strong winds caused widespread destruction across several villages under Ranikor Block, Ranikor Civil Sub-Division, South West Khasi Hills District on the night of April 26. According to reports, a total of 23 houses and one school building were damaged. The affected areas include Nongkdait, where 10 houses were damaged, Puksora with 10 houses affected, and Ranikor where 3 houses and one school were hit by the storm. Additionally, landslides were reported along the road at Alukureng village. Clearing operations are currently underway to remove debris and restore access. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Temporary arrangements for shelter have been made by the local villages for the displaced families.

The Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) of Gauhati University has expressed deep shock and dismay over the recent incident of assault of NEHU faculty Dr Alok Singh by the president of NEHUSU and his associates. “We hold the teaching fraternity in the highest regard for their selfless service to the nation through students’ uplift,” PGSU general secretary Kaushik Baruah said in a statement on Sunday. He said that they have been closely observing the developments, protests, and agitations at NEHU, particularly during the crucial phase of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Baruah said that they empathize with the students and are concerned about the security situation on campus, given the NEHUSU’s control over entrance gates and interference in day-to-day administrati...

The Shillong Citizens Forum (SCF) held a candlelight vigil at Khyndai Lad on Sunday to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. The gathering, held against the backdrop of the old Assembly building in Shillong, attracted hundreds of residents from various communities, age groups, and faiths. The SCF also reiterated its call for a total shutdown of shops and business establishments across Greater Shillong on Monday, urging citizens to participate peacefully and stress the need for unity and collective resilience in the face of terror. The vigil served as a call to action, a call for compassion, unity,  and vigilance in times when hate seeks to divide. The SCF will also submit memorandums to the Prime Minister and Home Minister of India through the Governor and C...

In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, the Shillong Citizen Forum (SCF) has announced a candlelight vigil on Sunday at Khyndai Lad (Police Bazar). The forum has also called for a complete shutdown of all shops and business establishments across Greater Shillong on Monday, as a mark of protest and collective mourning. The candlelight vigil is scheduled for Sunday, from 5 pm to 7 pm, in front of the old Assembly building at Khyndai Lad, Shillong. Official permission for the event has been granted by the East Khasi Hills district administration. As part of the protest, the organisers are urging all shopkeepers and businesses in Greater Shillong to observe a complete shutdown on Monday. In addition, a memorand...