Meghalaya News - Latest News and Live Updates from Meghalaya

17 Aug

Former Meghalaya CM Salseng C Marak passes away at 82

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

Salseng C Marak, the former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a prominent Congress party leader, passed away on Friday at the age of 82. Marak died at Tura Civil Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment since August 12, following initial care at Holy Cross Hospital starting August 8. Serving as Meghalaya’s Chief Minister from 1993 to 1998, Marak was the sixth individual to hold the office. A respected politician, he represented the Resubelpara constituency in North Garo Hills in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Known for his integrity and termed the ‘Mr. Clean’ of Meghalaya politics, Marak was admired for…

16 Aug

HSPDP Calls on Meghalaya Government to Speed Up Second Phase of Assam Border Talks

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has called on the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to urgently resume the second phase of border negotiations with Assam. The party emphasized the need to address six remaining disputed areas between the two states, urging immediate action to resolve the century-old boundary issues. HSPDP President KP Pangniang voiced his concerns in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, expressing disappointment over the slow progress of the negotiations. While acknowledging the MDA government's efforts in resolving six sectors of the interstate boundary dispute in 2022, Pangniang stressed that addressing the remaining sectors…

12 Aug

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address ADC concerns by August 25

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

The ten Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) from the Northeast have united to press the central government for swift action on amending the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The decision came during a meeting held at Tripura Castle, Shillong, led by Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief, Pyniaid Sing Syiem. In a media briefing, Syiem stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has committed to addressing the ADCs' concerns by August 25. The newly formed committee, which Syiem will chair, aims to ensure a unified approach from all ten ADCs. The committee will include TIPRA Motha leader Pradyot Manikya…

08 Aug

Shillong Traffic Police crack down on over 400 vehicles with illegal tinted films

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

The Shillong Traffic Police (STP) have detected over 408 vehicles using unauthorized black or tinted films on their windows between July 14 and August 1, 2024. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb illegal vehicle modifications in the city. The authorities have taken action against the violators in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. The Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, urged all motorists to comply with the law and refrain from using black films on their vehicles, highlighting that it violates the directive issued by the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition…

06 Aug

High Court responds to NEET exam issues in Jowai, Nongpoh

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

The Meghalaya High Court has issued notices to the concerned authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET UG exams conducted at the Jowai and Nongpoh examination centers. The writ petition, filed by Eleazer Vincent Lyngdoh and others, targets the National Testing Agency (NTA) and additional parties, citing significant issues with the exam administration. During the hearing on August 5, Y Pallavi, counsel for the petitioners, emphasized the urgency of the matter due to the controversy surrounding the NEET UG exams in the two centers. Dr. N. Mozika, DSGI representing respondents No. 1, 2, and 3, acknowledged receiving instructions and requested…

02 Aug

SSA staff demand 80% pay hike amid protests

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

The Meghalaya government has established a Rationalisation Committee to evaluate proposals for salary increases and rationalisation for all Samagra Shiksha (SSA) non-academic staff in the state. This move comes amid ongoing protests by SSA employees, who are demanding an 80% salary hike. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced the formation of the 20-member committee, which is led by Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri, during a meeting with representatives of the All Meghalaya SSA Non-Teaching Staffs Association (AMSSANTSA) at his office. Currently, over 1,200 SSA non-teaching staff are staging an indefinite sit-in protest at Malki ground. They have rejected the…

01 Aug

Hynniewtrep Youth Council threatens eviction action over illegal settlements

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has issued a stark warning of a "drastic step" if illegal settlers in Lum Survey are not evicted by August 19. This ultimatum follows a recent meeting with East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and the CEO of Shillong Cantonment Board regarding an earlier eviction drive conducted by the HYC on May 23. HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem criticized the lack of action by the authorities, questioning why the defence estate officer had neither signed a lease agreement with the settlers nor recognized them as tenants on the 0.248-acre plot. He demanded to know why the…

31 Jul

BSF seizes boats used by Bangladeshi smugglers

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

The troops of the 193 Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Meghalaya intercepted and seized 19 wooden boats belonging to Bangladeshi smugglers in the Jadukata River near Ghumaghat on July 29. The smugglers were attempting to cross into Indian territory to collect stone boulders and sand, the BSF said in a press release. The operation underscores the dedication and vigilance of the BSF in securing the border and preventing illegal activities. Sharing the successful operation on X, BSF Meghalaya stated, "On 29 July 2024, the vigilant troops of 193 Batallion BSF Meghalaya successfully seized 19 Bangladeshi wooden boats…

30 Jul

Meghalaya to allow two-way traffic on Umiam bridge from tuesday

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

After eight months of restricted traffic, the Meghalaya government has approved the resumption of two-way traffic on the Umiam Bridge starting July 30, following the completion of essential repairs. The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) initiated the repair work last December to address structural concerns. The project involved replacing bridge bearings, adjusting expansion joints, and incrementally raising the bridge structure by 5-10 mm to enhance stability. During the repair period, traffic between Guwahati and Shillong was limited to one-way, causing significant delays and traffic snarls on both sides of the bridge. "After extensive discussions by the high-powered committee on the…

29 Jul

Tourist harassment leads to 50% cancellation of Meghalaya tours

Sonakshi Sarkar0 CommentsMeghalaya

Tourism stakeholders in Meghalaya have condemned recent incidents of tourist harassment by local NGOs and pressure groups in popular destinations such as Sohra and Dawki. The industry reports a 30% loss in bookings and a potential 50% cancellation of tours due to these actions. On July 26, members of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) stopped vehicles registered in Assam at the Umtyngar junction, approximately 20 km from Shillong, demanding that tourists turn back. Industry representatives urged these groups to stop intimidating tourists, stating that such actions damage the state’s reputation and economy. They highlighted recent lawlessness, including violence against…