Shillong

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 ...

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...

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...

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 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.

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...

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...

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...

SheHub made history with the launch of Miles & Music, the Northeast'sfirst-ever women-only DJ Run,on 4th July 2026 at Shillong Club. The uniqueevent brought together fitness, music, community, and women's empowerment inan experience designed exclusively for women. Unlike a traditional marathon, Miles & Music combined a 4-km community runwith live DJ music, wellness activities, networking opportunities, and healthawareness initiatives, creating a safe and vibrant space for women to connect and celebrate movement. The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including: Smt. Lily NongkhlawMs. Saloni Verma, IASMs. Naphi MarweinMrs. Pushpa Bajaj, Founder, Shubham Charitable TrustSmt. Hasina Kurbah. A key highlight of the event is SheHub's collaboration with the Meg...

The work has resumed on the Rs 150-crore Shillong Ropeway Project and it is likely to be completed next year. Informing this on Saturday after carrying out an inspection of the site, Cabinet Minister and South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai said he was briefed by officials about progress of the ropeway, which will link Shillong Viewpoint with Madan Laban. The minister was reviewing Central government-funded projects in his constituency under the Pragati Prabhagat Path Yatra, an initiative marking 12 years of the Modi government. Shulai said though the contract allows three years for completion, the executing agency KEC-TCL has given assurance of finishing the work in 2027. The project had been held up for several months due to pending forest clearances and a Public Interest Litig...