The Shillong Times

By Napoleon S. Mawphniang Something happened to me personally just three months ago. I walked into a government office in Shillong with documents, a prepared argument, evidence, a legitimate concern a public grievance not for my personal interestthe kind of thing youd normally take straight to a department head. I wasnt nervous because []

By S. N. M. ABDI Sonam Wangchuk was physically lifted from Jantar Mantar by policemen on the twenty-first day of his fast-unto-death and taken to a government hospital. His forcible removal triggered an invasion of the satyagraha site by a sea of 20-25 year olds. The protestors; a mixture of men and women; were mostly []

The worlds most powerful leader is blowing hot and cold, climbing up and climbing down on his stated positions with rare ease and keeping his own nation, his militarys principal target Iran and the people across continents on edge for as long as five months. Donald Trumps warning on Saturday was that the USA []

New Delhi, Aug 3: The government has hiked windfall gains tax on exports of petrol, diesel and ATF for the fortnight beginning Monday. The rate of special additional excise duty (SAED) on export of diesel will be Rs 25.5 a litre, up from Rs 15.5 a litre. SAED on export of ATF will be Rs []

The rupee strengthened against the US currency for the sixth consecutive session on Monday, closing higher by 12 paise at 95.31 following a sharp drop in global crude oil prices and a softer greenback after US President Donald Trump decided to hold off strikes against Iran. FII inflows and gains in domestic stock markets provided []

Mumbai, Aug 3: Stock market benchmark indices ended higher on Monday, with the Sensex climbing 544.39 points and Nifty surging 1.60 per cent, following a sharp decline in crude oil prices amid easing geopolitical tensions. Foreign fund inflows also added to markets optimism. Extending the winning momentum to the fourth day, the 30-share BSE Sensex []

New Delhi, Aug 3: Telecom consumers frustrated by dropped calls or poor voice quality can now opt for a direct and easy-to-use channel to flag such issues. In a move to strengthen the monitoring of call quality issues, telecom regulator TRAI on Monday launched the new and improved version of the MyCall mobile application that []

State DGP directed to issue standing orders SHILLONG, Aug 3: In a significant move to reclaim the institutional integrity of law enforcement, the High Court of Meghalaya has called for a total ban on political parties and NGOs using police stations or prisons as platforms for press briefings. The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Revati []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: Meghalayas reputation as the worlds rain capital is under siege as a staggering 58% monsoon deficit leaves the states rain-fed agriculture on the brink of collapse, with some districts like West Jaintia Hills missing nearly 80% of their expected rainfall. With a 58 per cent shortfall recorded since June 1, concerns are []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat has introduced a formal dress code and a set of conduct guidelines for its employees following concerns over growing indiscipline. The move follows instances of staff reporting to work in slippers and attire considered inappropriate for a government office. A directive issued on July 29, which has []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The Sohra Civil Sub-Division on Monday imposed an immediate ban on roadside cooking and the use of open flames in public spaces to curb littering, prevent environmental degradation and reduce fire hazards. The order, issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mark A. Challam under Section 163 of the BNSS, follows reports of tourists cooking []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The East Khasi Hills district administration has extended the deadline for Aadhaar-based authentication (e-KYC) of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by 15 days with effect from July 31. The extension applies to all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) ration card holders in the district. In a []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The All Meghalaya Pharmacist Association (AMPA) has sought an appointment with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to discuss several long-pending issues, stating that previous representations to the government have gone unaddressed. In a letter submitted on Monday, the association urged the chief minister to facilitate a meeting to deliberate on reforms aimed []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The Meghalaya BJP on Monday stated it has been consistently raising concerns with its MDA coalition partners regarding the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) in the state as it expressed hope that existing shortcomings will soon be addressed. BJP general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna told The Shillong Times that the partys various []

MAWKYRWAT, Aug 3: The Dorbar Shnong of Jakrem village in South West Khasi Hills on Monday organised a peace rally to condemn the recent brutal murder of 76-year-old mentally challenged woman, Joit Kharlyngdoh of Jakrem village. The body of the elderly woman was found on July 20, 2026, in a forest area known as Krem []

NONGPOH, Aug 3: The Hills Farmers Union (HFU), central body, led by its secretary, Alfonbirth Kharsyntiew, on Monday visited Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district to investigate allegations of illegal collection of money from vehicles transporting livestock. The visit followed the unions earlier demand that the alleged practice be stopped immediately. Several pickup drivers engaged in transporting []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: Responding to a call by the Shillong Socio-Cultural Assamese Students Association (SSASA), the people of the Meghalaya capital came together to help flood victims in Assam by donating relief materials. They donated rations, drinking water, baby food, diapers, mosquito repellents, toiletries, disinfectants, candles, batteries, first-aid supplies, medicines, clothes, blankets, sanitary pads, livestock []

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The Khasi Students Union (KSU), Shillong Mihngi Circle, has sought clarifications from the Directorate of Urban Affairs and the Revenue and Disaster Management Department over the construction of a religious structure within the premises of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office at Mawdiangdiang, maintaining that the matter concerns the lawful use []

Tura, Aug 3: The daughter of Danakgre Aking nokma, Amanche Ch Marak has filed an FIR against Chief Minister Conrad Sangma accusing him of illegally distributing land pattas falling under the currently subjudice Scheduled lands belonging to nokmas, to residents in Tura. The FIR was filed with the Officer in-charge of Araimile Outpost on Monday, []

Bengaluru, Aug 2: India will host Malaysia U-21 mens hockey team for a eight-match exposure series at the SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre here from August 7 to 13. The Malaysia U-21 mens hockey team will take on the Indian junior mens side in five matches and the SAI team in three matches. The series []

New Delhi, Aug 2: The legendary P R Sreejesh has advised the Indian mens hockey team to leave behind the unnecessary jersey controversy and off-field noises and focus on ending the countrys 50-year World Cup medal drought in next months quadrennial event in the Netherlands and Belgium. The two-time Olympic bronze medallist said there was []

Madrid, Aug 2: Levante have moved quickly to strengthen their attack following the departure of striker Carlos Espi to Real Madrid, announcing the signing of promising Belgian forward Yanis Musuayi from Club Brugge on a five-year contract. The 19-year-old has signed a deal until June 2030 in a transfer reportedly worth around three million euros, []

New Delhi, Aug 2: Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri said that Jamshedpur FCs decision to shut down operations and withdraw from the Indian Super League (ISL) is a punch to the gut, and appealed to the owners to pick heart over head and reconsider the move. The Tata Group-owned club announced on Friday that it []

New Delhi, Aug 2: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) commenced the NRAI National Electronic Scoring Target (EST) Course at the Goldfinch Hotel in New Delhi. The four-day intensive programme brings together 33 selected officials from across the country for specialised training in the operation, management, and technical maintenance of electronic scoring systems used []

Chicago/Miami, Aug 2: Robert Lewandowski scored two goals, including the winner, in his home debut for the Fire, helping Chicago beat Charlotte FC 2-1. Lewandowski, who made the move from FC Barcelona in a two-year deal with Chicago, equalised in the 20th minute off a screamer from outside the box that tied the game at []

Zurich, Aug 2: At a time when Indian football is striving to strengthen its global standing through improved governance, youth development and aspirations of hosting more FIFA events, an unprecedented leadership crisis engulfing world footballs governing body could have far-reaching implications. FIFA president Gianni Infantino is battling for his political survival after a controversial investment []

New Delhi, Aug 2: From former Premier League footballers to academy graduates of European giants Real Madrid, Ajax and Liverpool, the All India Football Federations (AIFF) search for overseas talent with Indian roots has evolved into one of the most fascinating stories in Indian football. Long criticised for its limited player pool and lack of []

New Delhi, Aug 2: Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has forced his way back into Indias 2027 ODI World Cup conversation following a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Once considered out of the national reckoning after his last ODI appearance in January 2022, the 35-year-old is now being backed by several former []

SHILLONG, Aug 2: Meghalaya on Sunday joined the nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan, with Governor CH Vijayashankar and state educational institutions participating in the virtual launch led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The campaign was launched simultaneously at around 28,000 locations across the country, with more than one crore youths participating []

SHILLONG, Aug 2: A local court in Nongstoin has remanded a 22-year-old man to six-day police custody for allegedly murdering the father of his partner, 60-year-old Elbin Kharbani, at Mawrok Porsohsat village in West Khasi Hills district. The accused, Koldingstar Thongni, was produced before the court following his arrest and has been remanded for further []

MAWKYRWAT, Aug 2: Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton L. Tongkhar on Saturday inspected several internal roads in Jakrem village to begin infrastructure preparations for two major religious events scheduled for 2028 and 2029. The inspection followed a request from the Jakrem Dorbar Shnong for the construction and blacktopping of 20 internal roads. These upgrades are intended to []

SHILLONG, Aug 2: Nine Child and Adolescent Digital Libraries established in the Khatar Shnong-Laitkroh C&RD Block are ready for use but remain unopened pending the release of final funds and the supply of books from the Education department. Speaking to The Shillong Times, Sohra MLA Gavin Miquel Mylliem stated that while the infrastructure for all []

TURA, Aug 2: The Nokma Sani Union has called for the direct empowerment of traditional institutions in the Garo Hills, alleging that substantial funds intended for grassroots governance are being diverted and misused. During an awareness meeting with the Nokmas of Chokpot Sub-Division in South Garo Hills on Saturday, the union observed that while the []

SHILLONG, Aug 2: Former Congress leader and former All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Meghalaya president Charles Pyngrope has a word of advice for the Congress high command if it is serious about reviving the fortunes of the grand old party ahead of the 2028 Meghalaya Assembly electionsrestore the partys internal democratic traditions through organisational elections. []

Pilot project seeks to take the process closer to the people SHILLONG, Aug 2: An initiative to conduct driving tests at the block level is expected to make life easier for driving licence applicants, especially the learners. The move to make the process more direct, transparent, and convenient is likely to benefit applicants from rural []

TURA, Aug 2: Senora Johny Arengh, the former president of the Non-Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA), has been reinstated to his post in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following a directive from the High Court of Meghalaya. Arengh was dismissed from service after leading protests to demand the payment of long-pending salaries for council []

EB 8-0 CISF KOLKATA, Aug 1: East Bengal FC produced a ruthless attacking display to register a thumping 8-0 victory over CISF Protectors in their Group A fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday. The Red-and-Gold Brigade raced into a 3-0 lead before half-time and showed no []

BAKU, Aug 1: Indias women wrestlers continued their strong showing at the 2026 U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, adding two silver medals and two bronze medals to the national haul across four podium bouts. In the 46kg category, Sandhya Vishnoi put together an impressive tournament run to reach the championship final. Facing Japans Kokona []

GENEVA, Aug 1: Successfully stopping Gianni Infantinos FIFA plan to sell World Cup profits to private investors was the first half of a high-stakes game in global football politics. The second half kicked off Saturday with what seemed a clear aim of ending Infantinos decade-long presidency. No option should be off the table, said European []

COMMONWEALTH TT NEW DELHI, Aug 1: India stamped its authority on the penultimate day of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, with all eight paddlers storming into the mens and womens singles semifinals at the Thyagaraj Stadium here Saturday. The women completed a clean sweep to set up an all-Indian semifinal lineup, while the men also []

red-ball season kicks off on August 23 New Delhi, Aug 1: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy, with the prestigious domestic red-ball tournament set to kick off the Indian first-class season from August 23 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Featuring []

Nagpur, Aug 1:A promising 17-year-old woman cricketer allegedly died by suicide in Nagpur after reportedly struggling to cope with the disappointment of not being selected for a higher-level cricket team, police said. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local sporting fraternity and once again drawn attention to the immense pressure faced by young []

New Delhi, Aug 1: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering shifting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) back to its traditional February-March window in a bid to avoid a direct clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL), a move aimed at ensuring greater availability of leading overseas cricketers. The scheduling issue dominated discussions during a []

Shillong, Aug 1: The inaugural Meghalaya State Lawn Bowling Championship concluded at the Laitumkhrah Assamese Secondary School grounds, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of the sport in the state. Organised by the Meghalaya Lawn Bowling Association (MLBA), the week-long championship brought together participants from various districts, reflecting the growing interest in lawn bowling []

SHILLONG, Aug 1: Senior BJP leader and MLA, AL Hek on Saturday cautioned that the party might face serious discontent among its workers and supporters in Meghalaya if it decides against contesting the upcoming by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha seat. Hek said staying away from the election could create an impression that the BJP []

SHILLONG, Aug 1: Humbled by three failed attempts to find takers for its flagship Polo Commercial Complex, the Meghalaya government has slashed rental rates in a desperate fourth attempt to breathe life into a facility that has sat empty since its high-profile inauguration by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman a year ago. Shillong Smart City []

SHILLONG, Aug 1: Meghalaya recorded an unusually dry July this year. All districts except South West Khasi Hills reported deficient or largely deficient rainfall, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data. Five of the states 11 districts saw rainfall drop by 50 to 80 per cent below normal. South West Khasi Hills was the sole []

SHILLONG, Aug 1: Hundreds of clan elders, traditional leaders and scholars from across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills assembled at Smit Village on Saturday as the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hyniewtrep (SKRK) advanced its Tipkur Tipkha Movement, an initiative aimed at strengthening clan institutions and preserving the indigenous heritage, matrilineal system and []

SHILLONG, Aug 1: The East Khasi Hills district administration has launched a new initiative, A Day at DC Office, to provide students with first-hand exposure to the functioning of the district administration and public service delivery. The programme, designed to help students understand governance and civic institutions, saw its first batch of participants from Government []

SHILLONG, Aug 1: The East Khasi Hills district administration and the Indian Army on Friday conducted a joint inspection of GTC Happy Valley to finalise arrangements for the upcoming Agniveer Recruitment Rally. The rally, scheduled from August 22 to 24, will see the participation of 941 candidates who qualified through the Common Entrance Examination (CEE). []