The Shillong Daily

22/04/2026

SD | VPP President Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit called for a massive protest to surround the Secretariat, saying the government must be pressured to act on the party’s eight demands.

Speaking at a public meeting at Motphran, Ardent urged people to come out in large numbers.

“We will fill the streets of Shillong. We will march to the Secretariat and demand action. If our demands are not met, this protest will not stop,” he said.

22/04/2026

SD | "We could not remain silent when people were risking their lives,” : Ardent Basaiawmoit VPP Chief

Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on Wednesday hit back at critics, saying his party’s involvement in the Lumpongdeng issue was driven by responsibility, not political gain.

Speaking at a public meeting in Motphran, the VPP president said politics should not be reduced to elections alone.

“We don’t do politics only for elections,” he said, adding that the party acts based on public concerns.

He also responded to criticism that the VPP tried to take over the Lumpongdeng agitation. Basaiawmoit denied this, saying the protest was led by the Green-Tech Foundation and its leaders.

According to him, the party stepped in out of concern for those taking part in the protest, especially individuals on hunger strike.

The meeting was part of the party’s campaign to push its eight-point demand against the MDA 2.0 government.

22/04/2026

SD | Why are power cuts happening in Meghalaya?

Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh has said that frequent power cuts in the state are largely due to ongoing infrastructure work.

“Most of the long power cuts you are seeing are planned shutdowns for implementation of major schemes,” he said.

According to the minister, projects such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and household electrification are currently underway and may continue for another one and a half to two years.

He added that some disruptions are unavoidable. “At times, sudden weather conditions like heavy rain or storms also affect power supply,” he said.

22/04/2026

SD | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday remembered the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, marking one year since the incident.

“Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack. They will never be forgotten,” Modi said.

https://theshillongdaily.com/narendra-modi-pays-tribute-to-pahalgam-terror-attack-victims-reaffirms-stand-against-terror/

21/04/2026

SD | Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has ordered an investigation into the landslide that killed two people in Mawlieh along the Shillong - Dawki road.

Expressing grief over the incident, Tynsong said two lives were lost after a massive boulder crushed a pickup vehicle on April 20.

He said instructions have been given to civil authorities, police under the Pynursla sub-division, and NHIDCL to examine the cause of the landslide.

The government has also decided to temporarily close the road stretch between Laitlyngkot and Lyngkyrdem for two to three days to ensure safety.

Tynsong urged the public, especially residents from the area, to cooperate while authorities work to secure the site.

He said the government is also considering land acquisition in the affected area as part of a long-term plan to clear landslide-prone zones and prevent similar incidents in the future.

21/04/2026

SD | CM Conrad Sangma has launched CM Inspire, offering financial support to UPSC aspirants, ₹50,000 after prelims and ₹1 lakh after mains.

The move comes as representation from the state in civil services has declined.

Read more : https://theshillongdaily.com/cm-conrad-sangma-launches-cm-inspire-scheme-for-upsc-aspirants-in-meghalaya/

21/04/2026

SD | Over 700 citizens have filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that PM Narendra Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct during his April 18 address.

The complaint points to the speech being broadcast on public platforms like Doordarshan and All India Radio, raising concerns over fairness during the election period.

Opposition parties have also flagged the issue.

https://theshillongdaily.com/over-700-citizens-move-ec-against-pm-modis-speech-allege-model-code-violation/

21/04/2026

SD | BJP national secretary Anil Antony says the party is working to expand its presence in Meghalaya and aims to play a bigger role by 2028.

He also said preparations for GHADC elections were already in place before the delay.

https://theshillongdaily.com/bjp-working-to-expand-presence-in-meghalaya-by-2028-anil-anthony/

21/04/2026

SD | Two people have lost their lives after a landslide crushed a Bolero vehicle under massive boulders on the Shillong–Dawki road.

Rescue teams faced major difficulty due to heavy rocks, with dynamite used to recover the vehicle.

Read more : https://theshillongdaily.com/shillong-dawki-road-landslide-two-dead-after-boulder-crushes-bolero-in-mawlieh/

21/04/2026

SD | “Reservation issue is still going nowhere… why start another?”

Minister Wailadmiki Shylla has questioned VPP’s upcoming protest, saying the public is now wise enough to ask tough questions.

His remarks come ahead of the April 22 agitation over multiple issues.

Read more :https://theshillongdaily.com/wailadmiki-shylla-targets-vpp-says-reservation-issue-still-unresolved-questions-new-protest/

21/04/2026

The complaint raises questions over the use of public broadcasters during elections.

New Delhi, April 20:More than 700 citizens, including former bureaucrats, academics and activists, have approached the Election Commission of India alleging

21/04/2026

SD | Why are women entering the s*x trade?

State social and RTI activist Disparsing Rani says it’s not by choice, but driven by poverty, single motherhood and lack of support.

https://theshillongdaily.com/state-activist-points-to-poverty-and-abandonment-behind-s*x-trade/

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