The Shillong Times

The Shillong Times Northeast India’s second oldest English daily established on August 10,1945, The Shillong Times is

The Shillong Times, a leading media house in Meghalaya, dedicated to delivering news and information from across the state, the Northeast, and the nation. Founded on August 10, 1945, The Shillong Times is the second-oldest English daily in Northeast India and is celebrating 78 glorious years of journalistic excellence.

12/09/2026

ST VIDEOS

Former UDP general secretary and ex-MLA Jemino Mawthoh joined the BJP on Saturday, with the induction programme opening with the Christian gospel “How Great Thou Art”, followed by a prayer led by State BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang.

Asked why he chose the BJP after years in regional politics, Mawthoh said: “Why not BJP?”

He said he spent around 15 months in introspection before deciding, stressing that his move was not about money or position.

Addressing the BJP’s Hindutva image, Mawthoh said he had read the party’s Constitution before joining and pointed to its references to integral humanism, secularism, positive secularism and value-based politics.

He said the BJP’s growing acceptance in Meghalaya would depend on how it works at the grassroots and responds to people’s aspirations.

Two of the six youths from Uttar Pradesh undertaking court-ordered community service spent Saturday working with Operati...
12/09/2026

Two of the six youths from Uttar Pradesh undertaking court-ordered community service spent Saturday working with Operation Clean Up, a Shillong-based environmental volunteer group led by Padma Shri awardee and senior journalist Patricia Mukhim.

The two youths joined the volunteers from around 10 am and worked until about 5 pm as part of the community service directed by the Meghalaya High Court.

Mukhim said the two worked hard during their engagement with Operation Clean Up and described their participation as a positive experience for the newcomers.

The six youths were directed to undertake community service with three organisations—three days with the Gurudwara, two days with Jiva Cares and one day with Operation Clean Up.

The court-directed community service is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, when the youths will complete their final engagement with Jiva Cares.

Operation Clean Up member Jivat Vaswani said Sunday’s activities would be conducted from around 10 am to 5 pm and would include work involving bottles, dustbins, cleaning and caring.

The community service follows a Meghalaya High Court order quashing an FIR after the accused reached a settlement with the homestay manager and proprietor and paid ₹2.06 lakh in compensation. Two of the accused were also directed to pay ₹25,000 each.

The FIR was registered at Laitumkhrah Police Station on July 11 following a complaint alleging damage to a homestay. The accused were also alleged to have threatened the complainant after additional guests were not allowed to stay in a room beyond the permitted occupancy.

The accused subsequently approached the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR, while the homestay manager and proprietor gave their no-objection to the settlement.

Three of the accused are minors—one aged 15 and two aged 17—while another had recently turned 18. The remaining two, both in their 20s, are preparing for competitive examinations, officials said.

The two youths’ participation with Operation Clean Up on Saturday formed part of the final stages of the court-directed community service, which will conclude on Sunday.

The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) Central Body has raised concerns over alleged disparities in the recent medical colleg...
12/09/2026

The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) Central Body has raised concerns over alleged disparities in the recent medical college seat allotment process, claiming that some high-scoring students have been denied their preferred colleges while candidates with comparatively lower marks have been accommodated.

In a statement, the JSU said the issue had come to its attention following the release of the recent medical institution allotment list. The Union alleged that the discrepancies had caused considerable frustration among students and parents and called for immediate clarification and rectification of the allotments.

The JSU recalled that it had raised similar concerns last year and had successfully pursued the migration of top-scoring candidates into the Open Category.

According to the Union, the Health Department had subsequently assured stakeholders that student bodies would be involved in the process and that a transparent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be prepared and shared.

The Union said it had also submitted detailed recommendations to the department concerning the welfare and interests of students. However, despite repeated follow-ups and official correspondence, it alleged that the promised SOP had not been provided.

The JSU further maintained that implementation of the proposed recommendations and adherence to the promised procedure could have prevented the present situation and the difficulties being faced by affected students and their parents.

Following the latest allotment, the JSU Education Cell has sought an urgent meeting with senior Health Department officials scheduled for Monday. The Union said the meeting would seek a detailed justification for the allotment decisions and demand immediate corrective measures wherever discrepancies are established.

12/09/2026

ST VIDEOS

Former UDP general secretary and former MLA Jemini Mawthoh was inducted into the BJP on Saturday, with the programme opening with a Christian gospel song and prayer.

“How great You are, how great You are…” echoed through the programme before the prayer was led by State BJP chief spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang.

The opening is notable in the context of the BJP’s national image as a party associated with Hindu nationalism, while Meghalaya has a predominantly Christian population.

Mawthoh’s induction marks his formal entry into the BJP after his stint with the United Democratic Party (UDP).

12/09/2026

ST VIDEOS

The Meghalaya SSA School Association Central Body has opposed the VPP’s demand for the removal of Education Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri.

In a video statement, association president Aristotle Rymbai said the demand was unfair, describing Mantri as a dedicated officer who has been working towards education reforms and listening to teachers’ grievances.

He said Mantri was implementing government policies after following due process and should not be held responsible for decisions taken by the government.

Rymbai highlighted the Structural Pay Framework for SSA and other teachers, saying it provides a structured salary based on length of service and seeks to protect their service.

He also pointed to the extension of CPF benefits to the teachers.

While admitting that the framework can be improved, Rymbai said this should be done through dialogue involving the government and all stakeholders.

The association also called for a uniform policy for all teachers, arguing that those performing the same duties and working similar hours should receive equal salary and service benefits.

The East Khasi Hills police on Friday arrested KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle president Banjoplang Dkhar from the NEIGRIHMS ...
12/09/2026

The East Khasi Hills police on Friday arrested KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle president Banjoplang Dkhar from the NEIGRIHMS area at around 8 pm in connection with cases related to the August 19 KSU bike rally violence.

With his arrest, the number of KSU leaders arrested in connection with the rally-related cases has risen to six. Dkhar is scheduled to be produced before a court on Saturday.

Hours after the arrest, two petrol bombs were hurled at Laban Police Station between 10 and 11 pm.

CCTV footage reportedly shows two persons arriving on a scooter and stopping outside the police station before throwing two petrol bombs.

One landed inside the police station compound, while the other struck a police Gypsy. Two police personnel standing near the vehicle reportedly escaped unhurt.

Earlier, police had arrested KSU Central Executive Council (CEC) president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, general secretary Reuben Najiar and assistant general secretary Jeremaiah Pothmi in connection with the rally-related violence.

KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle general secretary Samuel Kharbani was also arrested on September 3, while assistant general secretary Celestine Ronghang was subsequently released after police found that he had no involvement in the rally.

The three top KSU leaders have since been produced before the court several times following the addition of further charges in cases registered at Sadar, Mawlai and Rynjah police stations.

12/09/2026

ST VIDEOS

Two petrol bombs were lobbed at the Laban Police Station in the early hours of Saturday, with two police personnel narrowly escaping the attack.

The incident occurred at around 2.30 am. Police confirmed that two petrol bombs were lobbed at the police station and said no injuries or significant damage were reported.

CCTV footage from the police station captured the incident. The footage shows two police personnel standing outside the station when the petrol bombs were lobbed towards the premises. The personnel are seen running for safety, apparently narrowly escaping the devices.

Both police personnel escaped unhurt.

The identity of the person or persons responsible for the incident, as well as the motive behind the attack, was not immediately known.

Police are investigating the incident and examining the CCTV footage to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible.

Further details are awaited.

11/09/2026

ST BYTES

The UDP leadership on Friday claimed that its MLAs remain united and have no plans to leave the par

However, this claim by the party contradicts the statement of Mawsynram MLA Ollan Singh Suin, who broke his silence, saying that eight legislators are ready to join the BJP if their demands are met.

Speaking after the emergency CEC meeting, UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said the party leadership had reposed faith in president Metbah Lyngdoh and that the MLAs had clarified that they had no plans to leave the UDP.

He said meeting Union ministers or national leaders did not necessarily mean that an MLA was planning to join another party.

However, Suin contradicted the claim, confirming that the group comprises eight MLAs and is ready to join the BJP if its demands are accepted.

The demands include the inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule, lifting restrictions on coal mining, shifting Sikh Dalits from the municipal area, addressing FCRA-related issues and implementing the MRSSA.

Six of the UDP’s 12 MLAs Paul Lyngdoh, Mayralborn Syiem, Kyrmen Shylla, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, Pius Marwein and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah were absent from the CEC meeting.

Lahkmen Rymbui, Suin, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh attended the meeting, while Shella MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem arrived later.

Chyne also ruled out any immediate change in the party leadership, saying that the decision on the president rests with the UDP General Council.

The State government has revised the admission and ticket rates for Galleria Anjalee Cinema Hall, with prices ranging fr...
11/09/2026

The State government has revised the admission and ticket rates for Galleria Anjalee Cinema Hall, with prices ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 500 depending on the class.

According to a notification issued by General Administration Department (GAD) Commissioner and Secretary CVD Diengdoh, the revised flexible rates, inclusive of GST, have been fixed at Rs 200 to Rs 300 for Silver Class, Rs 250 to Rs 350 for Gold Class, Rs 300 to Rs 400 for Platinum Class and Rs 400 to Rs 500 for Business Class.

The revised rates will remain in force for three years.

The rates were approved at a meeting of the Committee for Re-fixing of Admission/Ticket Rates held on August 11 under the chairmanship of the Commissioner and Secretary.

11/09/2026

ST VIDEOS

A truck carrying clinker rammed into two cars parked on the roadside along the Shillong Bypass at Umroi Madan on Friday, leaving one person injured and causing extensive damage to both vehicles.

The vehicles involved were a Renault Duster bearing registration number ML05 AA 1799 and a Mahindra Bolero bearing registration number ML05 S 3352. The truck, bearing registration number NL01 AH 6742, was carrying clinker.

According to information received, the truck was being driven by Samely Rymbai, a resident of Moodymai in West Jaintia Hills district. He was reportedly travelling from Lumshnong towards Sonapur in Assam when the incident occurred.

The driver was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of the truck near Tyndai Resort at Umroi Madan. Unable to bring the vehicle under control, he first rammed into the Renault Duster parked along the roadside, severely damaging the vehicle, before crashing into the Mahindra Bolero.

The driver of the Renault Duster, Iamutlang Nongspung of Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills district, sustained injuries in the accident. He was subsequently shifted to the Bhoirymbong Community Health Centre for medical treatment.

There was reportedly no one inside the Mahindra Bolero at the time of the accident.

Following the incident, personnel from the Khapmara Police Investigation Centre (PIC) removed all three vehicles from the spot and took them to the police station for further investigation and necessary legal action.

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