A year that placed the State in the pages of history, 2015 witnessed the daparture of many a great soul including the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam in Shillong. The year saw violence in Garo Hills going from bad to worse with a series of abductions and killings.
Killing of women in the name of witch hunt, death of migrant labourers, natural calamities in the form of fatal landslides among others plagued the year. However, it was not all bad as the year was significant with the signing of peace pact by UALA leaders.
January
1. Development, Lokayukta should top Govt’s priority list
3. NEC draft annual plan outlay of Rs 1,088.21 crore for the year 2015-16.
4. Call for law on Rangbah Shnongs powers gets louder
5. GHADC Polls: Congress to put up candidates in all seats
6. Outgoing Meghalaya Governor KK Paul vacates Raj Bhavan
7. Keshari Nath Tripathi takes oath as 19th Guv of Meghalaya
8. Role of Traditional Heads: KHADC files appeal against HC ruling
9. Mukul’s ST status case deferred indefinitely
10. Senior IPS officer Rajiv Mehta appointed new DGP
11. Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG re-launched in Meghalaya on January 1
12. Former ANVC-B chief Bernard N Marak appointed Nokma of Tura town
13. New Meghalaya House at Kolkata inaugurated
14. NGT ban on mining openly violated in Jaintia Hills
15. HC registers case against Adelbert Nongrum; KHADC CEM accused of making defamatory statements against Judge, challenging Judiciary
16. Don’t issue NOC to non-tribals, KHADC warns traditional heads
17. Ex-militant wants to run GHADC
18. Sixth Schedule Amendment: Opposition to attend Jan 20th meeting; File lying with Law Dept for nearly 2 years claims UDP General Secy
19. Jailed GNLA chairman Champion R Sangma ‘resigns’ from outfit
20. Land grabbing case: Police file charge-sheet against SP Mahanta, wife
21. Roshan Warjri rejoins as State Cabinet after two months
22. Border road constructed in Langpih
23. NE rebels have 39 camps in Bangladesh:BSF
24. Nongrum ready to apologize any ‘disrespect to court’
25. BSF seizes several Bangladeshi boats; Boulder stealing goes on unabated
26. Mystery shrouds alleged suicide by Police Sub-inspector PJ Marbaniang; Officer found with gunshot wound on his head after he detained 32 illegal coal trucks 24 hours before his death.
– SCC founder Neil Herbert Nongkynrih conferred Padma Shri
27. Republic day celebrated
28. Justice Sen declines to accept KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum’s half apology
29. Former Minister KK Dhar resigns
30. Demolish unauthorised structures,NGT tells MUDA
31. Governor nod to GHADC term extension, opposition strikes
February
1. City headmen to defy HC order on NOC;To move Govt for recognition
2. Angry truckers attack Umling Weigh Bridge, two staff hurt
– 13-year-old brave heart girl risks life to save infant brother from inferno
3. Garo Hills school teacher kidnapped; abductors demand Rs 5 Cr
4. Cop’s death-Govt registers murder case
– 19-year-old dies in GNLA-ASAK crossfire
5. Cabinet nod to pre-paid energy system
6. Acquisition of land for NST put on hold
7. Demand for inclusion of Khasi language in Eight Schedule gains momentum
– Jail inmates revolt in Garo Hills over poor basic conditions
8. Police resort to lathicharge against agitating truckers at Umsamlem
9. NITI Aayog meet: Meghalaya seeks help from Centre
10. SC direcs NGT to dispose of coal case at the earliest
11. NGO to move NGT against cement plants
12. Cop’s death: Mother of victim seeks forensic examination
13. Hek seeks report on purchase of M-tabs
14. Marbaniang’s body exhumed, second autopsy done
– HNLC calls bandh, admin warns govt staff
15. Two-day meet of Unlawful Activities (prevention) Tribunal likely to extend ban of HNLC
16. HRD ministry seeks fresh names for appointment of NEHU Vice-Chancellor
17. HC issues notices to 12 including MLA for violation of building laws
18. State faces worst-ever financial crisis with revenue loss over Rs 600 crore annually
19. Mukul seeks Centre’s help on urban development
20. Centre agrees to release Rajiv Mehta, New DGP to assume charge next week
21. Five additional chief secretaries in Meghalaya
22. GH flood: Centre grants only 100 cr
23. Govt move on powers of headmen draws flak
24. No-confidence motion moved against KHADC CEM
25. Witchcraft allegations in GH: 5 including women murdered, buried secretly
26. NHRC seeks police response on anti-influx drive
27. New DGP Rajiv Mehta assumes charge
28. ARPA loses majority, PDF decides to wait and watch
March
1. Chokpot MLA Clifford R Marak passes away
3. Adelbert Nongrum case hearing deferred
4. Cabinet approves amendment of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act
5. Lapang to head panel to empower traditional institutions
6. State Govt constitutes financial commission to examine transfer of resources, autonomous district councils
7. Death of Nokma’s son raises storm in GH; Q-mark over DGP’s anti-insurgency ops
8. Mukul Sangma-led MUA-II Govt completes two years in office
10. Govt offers conditional talks proposal to HNLC, GNLA
11. GNLA ambush claims 4 cops
– CM attacks media for giving prominence to terror groups
12. Ampati people defy GNLA bandh
– Govt announces special pension for family of cops killed in GH
13. Julius Dorphang offers to play negotiator
14. Govt proposes all-party meet on boundary commission
15. Operation against GNLA continues; Rebel killed, cop hurt in encounter
– Rehab package delay upsets ANVC-B
16. HNLC has seven camps in Bangladesh: Senior BSF official
17. Mukul rules out release of Champion
18. Assembly: Treasury Bench deserts CM
19. State gets Rs 819-cr deficit budget; Mukul targets poverty-free Meghalaya by 2022
20. Adelbert Nongrum resigns as CEM
21. Centre excluded ADCs from finance commission ambit
22. Amendment to clause 9 of Mines Bill okayed, tribal states can now make own laws
23. HNLC calls for unilateral ceasefire
24. Sanbor Shullai resigns as Deputy Speaker
25. KSU disrupts voter enrolment
26. AT Mondal survives no-confidence motion
– Media boycotts CM’s Budget reply
27. PR Kyndiah passes away at 87
28. Govt errs on tax collection, loses over Rs598 crore: CAG Report
29. Govt mulls to revive online lottery
30. MPF submits memo to Governor on Speaker removal demand
– PR Kyndiah laid to rest with State honours
31. Instances of rape, molestation on the rise in the State
April
1. GNLA commander killed in encounter
– IED blast on NH 51 targets BSF convoy carrying jawan’s body
2. Cabinet sticks to ‘Administrators Rule’ decision- Government dumps Governor’s decision
3. CAG reports Government inaction in 79 cases of fund misuse- PHED reports highest number of 58 cases; Action pending for 20-25 years
5. KSU vows to take State Govt. head-on over influx
6. Land acquisition hurdle continues to delay border fencing in State
7. 14 labourers die in East Jaintia Hills from food poisoning
8. Plot thickens, District administration silent over death of 14 migrant labourers from Assam
9. Centre not to abolish ADCs
10. Headmen have power to issue NOCs: Executive Member
11. GNLA threatens serial blasts in Garo Hills: Anti insurgency blasts to continue in GH says DGP
12. Violation of Meghalaya Building Byelaws by 12 high rises in city- HC orders illegal floors to be sealed
13. BJP chief to assess party’s strength in Meghalaya: Amit Shah to visit city on April 22
14. Government to buy land to save catchment areas; over 1000 hectares of private land to be acquired
15. Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill gets President’s assent: Vincent Pala
– 3 siblings dead in WJH after eating mushroom
– GNLA bandh in Ampati crosses one-month mark
16. Eight unhappy legislators complain MPCC chief over inaccessible CM and ministers
17. NGT ban on rat hole mining of coal completes one year today: loss of three lives, Rs. 600 crore
18. KSU opposes ‘Govt bid to hand over land to EAC’
19. Government committed to total enforcement of NGT ban: DGP; State seeks central forces
20. Will CM drop 3 ministers from Cabinet?
– Bandh to greet BJP chief in State
21. Desperate BJP justifies beef consumption: police to up security for Amit Shah’s visit
22. 5 including 3 cops hurt in GNLA ambush
– NGT order challenged
– UDP to take up ban on cow slaughter with Amit Shah
– Child adoption rate: Maghalaya at the bottom list
23. No ban on cow slaughter in NE says RSS spokesperson
– Regional parties raise pitch against beef ban
24. AICC admits rumblings within State Congress
– Shah to take up GH issue with PM
– Nepotism rules the roost in KHADC, RTI reveals
25. CMJ University fraud case: Police file chargesheet against Jha, 10 others
– Use of mobiles by UTPs- Shillong jail to have PCO
26. South GH finally gets new DC
– Narayanasamy slams Modi Govt for neglecting region
– Salgaocar tame Lajing at home
27. Report on Landslides on Jorabat-Umiam four-lane highway submitted to NHAI
– ‘March to Parliament’ by Central Govt employees
– Mumbai dent Wahingdoh’s title run
28. New list to land dispute case
– Laban last stop illegal structures to be dismantled today
– Centre proposes cherry blossom plantation in state
– NGO reiterates opposition to uranium mining in State
29. Amandment to 6th schedule delayed: GHADC set for another extension
– Dismal state of anti-corruption branch of police: Manpower shortage delays probe
30. Wahken Sordar held for contempt of court: village head issued certificates to residents in violation of HC order
May
1. HC awards 20-day jail term to Wahkhen Sordar
– Gadkari to formally open Shillong bypass today
– Car lifter gangs active in city: 25 vehicles stolen from Shillong in last three years
– Pressure on KHADC, JHADC to empower headmen
2. Jowai-Ratacherra project to start shortly: 30 km road everyday
– No uranium mining in West, SW Khasi Hills
– HSPDP asks Govt to hold talks with HNLC
3. Security officials launch massive operations against Garo outfit- AMEF commander-in-chief gunned down
– Police clueless about CMJ sons
– JNNURM buses’ drivers to wear uniforms
– Free Wi-Fi for Govt schools
4. Six jailbirds escape from Williamnagar prison: militants, rapists among escaped prisoners
– 40 villages keen to co-host International Terra Madre Festival in November
5. Stalemate over High Court ruling on traditional heads- Govt served one week deadline
– GNLA shifts camps after crackdown
– PM to launch three social security schemes on May – those with savings bank accounts can avail schemes: SBI
6. State without full-fledged Governor for 4 months
– Coal royalty boost for State exchequer
– Cabinet clears Bill on land swap deal
– Phase II of Megha Health Insurance Scheme launched
– Row over CM’s ST status
7. Meghalaya set for fresh bout of agitation: KHADC served one-week deadline
– NPP extends support to 48-hr GH bandh call
– Shillong girl to represent India in US open TT meet
8. ILP damage suit- KSU chief arrested
– Govt given 48-hr deadline to resolve twin demands- a) Release of KSU Prez b) drop all cases filed in Special court against leaders of pro-ILP pressure groups
– MBOSE declares results of HSSLC Science, Commerce, vocational streams: St. Anthony’s shines yet again
9. Pro-ILP pressure groups dare Govt to arrest all leaders: More arrests soon, State police hints
– Pala takes up traditional heads’ plight with Sonia
– Youth Congress calls for boycott of ST in Garo Hills
10. GNLA attacks police team, ASP hurt
– Police remain mute as Cong goons disrupt ST circulation in Garo Hills
– Williamnagar jailbreak: “Friendly jail staff” taken for a ride
11. Noted Tura teacher abducted at gunpoint
– Institutionalisation of Nokmas opposed
12. Cabinet okays ordinance on derecognizing the powers of headmen
– Sit-in-demo by pro-ILP over Govt’s silence on twin demands
– Tynsong opens 1st bio digester toilets
– Attack on ST office: Meghalaya Youth Congress leader arrested
13. Shanmuganathan appointed Meghalaya Governor
– Missing Bangla politico resurfaces in Shillong
14. Interpol alerts State on Salahuddin: BSF red faced over Bangla MP’s easy entry
15. Mystery shrouds Salahuddin’s escapade to Shillong
16. Headmen ordinance becomes secret ‘paper’
– Pynshngain set for 2nd innings as CEM
17. Adelbert all set to find place in Syiem’s EC
18. Wife of Bangla politico to arrive in Shillong today: Salahuddin’s early extradition unlikely
19. Adelbert in judicial custody
20. Opposition committee to study Village Administration Bill
– Wahken Sordar freed after 20 days in custody
21. Meghalaya’s 15th Governor sworn in.
22. Meghalaya seeks improvement in air connectivity- Umroi expansion to take off shortly
23. HNLC backs headmen, announces 48-hr bandh
24. Kidnapped Garo Hills ex-teacher freed- Family reportedly pays Rs. 5 lakhs to abductors
25. Tribunal slaps 5-year ban on HNLC
26. Defy bandh, Government tells people
27. It’s Cong vs Cong on Village Bill
– HNLC-called 24-hr shutdown hits life- Bandh perpetrators to be treated as HNLC cadres, warns police
28. High Court comes down heavily against Bandh culture: Restraints on media; Indictment on Govt failure to contain bandhs
– State Govt agrees to put seal on 2 Village Administration Bills
– 9 including 3 women hurt in Tura blast: GNLA hand suspected
– Unpaid salaries force MCCL staff to agitate
– Abraham buys Lajong’s stakes in NorthEast United
29. Village Administration Bill turns into political football: ARPA says no to KHADC special session
– State’s Maths learning initiative shortlisted for Commonwealth Awards
– Adelbert turns down Govt plea
– Bandh deprives Ri-Bhoi youth of employment opportunity: Companies skip skill fest cum Job Fair at Nongpoh due to HNLC-sponsored bandh
– Lajong confirms selling its equity to NEUFC
30. HYC public rally takes an ugly turn: Several hurt as police lathicharge protestors; 6 held for instigating crowd
– Crucial meet on VAB, Ordinance today
– Guv nod to ordinance; Headmen get power to issue certificates to residents
31. Rectified VAB gets council nod: ARPA stages protest in special KHADC session
– VAB : Meet sets June 10 deadline for govt
June
1. Militants attack Garo Hills weighbridge- CRPF officer, 3 labourers hurt
– Battle of the widows in Chokpot: wife of two former MLAs in fray for June 27 by-polls
2. Use of social media to announce bandh, other forms of agitation: Police chief admits helplessness