“Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering ‘it will be happier’…”
– Alfred Tennyson
2016 has finally drawn to a close and with it has ended a year of bitter sweet memories
for Meghalaya and its 32 lakh odd citizens. A remarkable year it was – one that would
go down in the annals of history as a rollercoaster for the State.
From the high of the accolades earned through the South Asian Games in the beginning of the year to the low of the never-ending political turmoil, Meghalaya saw it all in 2016.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the ‘Abode of Clouds’ in May and his drum play at Mawphlang resounded in our ears for days and the same man’s epic speech on November 8 banning Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes is sure to reverberate in our minds for years.
2016 would, perhaps, be most remembered for the fatal blow militancy suffered this year, surely a giant step towards normalcy in this once peaceful State.
Scams and corruption related cases have become the order of the day and the trend continued this year too. Matrilineal Meghalaya has nothing to boast of as far as women are concerned with hundreds of cases of incest, rape and molestation making it to the headlines on a daily basis.
The State lost some of its most able sons and daughters this year including political stalwart Purno A Sangma, Rev. Fr. Sngi and Meghlaya’s first Padma Shri Kong Sitimon Sawian.
As we step into 2017 hoping for a new and positive dawn, here’s a recollection of some events that made headlines in The Shillong Times in 2016…….
JANUARY
Jan 1: Hope floats for peace after guns fall silent in GH
Jan 3: State BJP gets new president [Shibun Lyngdoh]
Jan 4: HC to hear issues on security of retd judges, Lokayukta appointees today
Jan 5: 6.7 quake rocks Manipur, NE
Jan 6: Gov awaits return of VAB by centre
Jan 7: Meghalaya mulls pulling put as SAG Co-host
Jan 8: Ampareen, 21 others face CBI probe
Govt debars its employees from holding other offices
Jan 10: Blast in Williamnagar market, 9 hurt
SAG: ‘Meghalaya to host Badminton’
Jan 11: ULFA-GNLA combine planned W’nagar blast
Jan 13: SC blow for SP Mahanta
NEHU to have chair on Swami Vivekananda
Jan 14: No respite for headmen, Justice Sen’s order remains in force
Jan 15: PHE water acidic, unfit for human consumption
Jan 17: Garo rebels abduct 7 Assam traders
Jan 18: KHADC to file special leave petition in apex court against HC order
PHE water safe, claims Govt
Jan 19: GH unrest: Mukul blames Assam militant outfits
State girl Angelica Tynsong among 25 bravehearts selected for national award
Jan 20: Can Christians in Meghalaya be treated as minority, asks SC
Jan 21: Law dept to update Govt on HC ruling: Mukul
Mukul directs PHE Min to look into ‘acidic water’ issue
Jan 23: Mass surrender of AMEF ultras in Garo Hills
Jan 24: KHADC suffers building law setback
Jan 26: Ex-NEHU teacher Prof. Veena Tandon gets Padma Shri
High Court staff held for abusing justice Sen, family
Jan 28: HC nod to traditional limestone, sandstone mining in state
11 dead, 21 hurt in bus tragedy in EJH
PAC conducts inspection in GSWSS; finds water salty
FEBRUARY
Feb 1: 3 years’ delay in clearing ILP damage suit worth Rs 31 crore
Feb 2: Work begins in Umsning Byepass
Feb 5: Mukul targets 2022 National Games
Feb 6: SC transfers CM’s ST status case to regular bench
GNLA targets police convoy in Garo Hills, two injured
MHIS phase II launched
Feb 10: Over 21 lakh people to get subsidized rice, wheat (NFSA launched in state with immediate effect)
Feb 13: Apex court grants powers to headmen
Feb 14: Floodlights on border by Jan next
Feb 15: 7 years into death of Fullmoon, probe yet to be over
Feb 16: SC empowers district councils to regulate headmen
Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project faces land hurdle
Feb 17: KSU against ration cards to non-tribals
Feb 21: Mukul, others knock Pranab’s door with ‘save us’ plea
Feb 24: ADCs get Rs 267.4 crore from Union Govt
Feb 25: Shillong finds place in AMRUT list
Dinesh Maheshwari sworn in as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
Feb 26: Massive explosives haul from two GNLA camps
Feb 27: Operation Hillstorm 3: Sohan’s camp overrun on day two of raids
Relics of St. John Bosco to remain in Cherrapunjee shrine forever
Feb 28: Roy retains UDP top post
Feb 29: 5 powerful IEDs recovered from Williamnagar school
CM’s office splurges Rs 3.64 crore on chopper rides in five years
MARCH
Mar 1: New Chief Secretary Kuljit Singh Kropha assumes charge
Mar 2: Frisk all students instructs MBOSE
Mar 3: KHADC tax dept to go paperless from April 1
Mar 5: Purno Agitok Sangma no more
Mar 6: Purno’s body arrives from Delhi, pall of gloom grips GH
Mar 7: Relic of Don Bosco enthroned permanently at Sohra shrine
Mar 8: Tearful adieu to ‘Son of the Soil’ Purno A Sangma
Mar 13: Border fencing to come up 150 yards inside State, asserts BSF
Mar 14: MeECL owes NEEPCO Rs 441 crore power dues
Mar 15: CM presents Rs 1, 090-crore deficit budget
State to have 4 new civil sub-divisions, 15 more police stations
May 17: Conrad now new NPP chief
Mar 18: Govt admits shortage of potable water in city
Mar 23: SAG gala dinner bill was over Rs 41 lakh, House informed
Top GNLA cadre shot dead, arms recovered
Mar 24: Tenancy Bill referred to select committee
Mar 25: Ex-Cong MLA embroiled in multi-crore land scam
Mar 27: MUDA dilly dally over buses led to Rs 1.23 cr loss: CAG
Mar 28: Parliamentary panel push for tribal judicial system
Mar 29: Funds crunch may hit ‘smart city’ bid
Onaatah bags National Award
Mar 30: ‘NEHU should set up dept for study of NE tribals’ : Smriti Irani
APRIL
April 1: Assam Rifles Public School not to be closed down, High Court told
April 2: Accused smashed victims head, body parts says post mortem (Rape, murder of 19-year-old girl at Upper Shillong)
April 3: Closure of liquor stores in state: Govt in dilemma
April 10: CMJ suffers apex court blow (University asked to deposit over 15.62 cr frozen amount)
April 11: NEIGHRIMS facilitates delivery of first test tube babies in city
April 13: Frankenstein ends 40 year association with Congress
St Peter’s school gutted in major fire
April 18: LAEF ends armed struggle with leadership surrender
Meghalaya’s 1st water ATM set to be installed at Pynthorbah
April 20: By-poll to Tura seat on May 16
April 22: Mushroom tragedy claims 3 more, toll rise to 6
Congress selects CM’s wife to fight Tura poll
April 23: NPP nominates Conrad for by-poll
April 25: Meghalaya to negotiate for 90:10 funding pattern from Centre (Smart City Project)
April 29: Five senior GNLA cadres surrender with arms (15 child soldiers forcibly kept in GNLA camp: Surrendered cadres)
Shillong turns 150 in silence
MAY
May 3: Assam Rifles HQ to stay in Shillong- Centre
May 5: GNLA suffers northern blow (16 cadres including 2 ULFA give up with arms and ammunition)
May 8: O L Nongtdu passes away
GNLA finance secretary Rakkam D Shira surrenders
Mukul vows to vanquish NPP in 2018
May 10: BBS College springs surprise, produces Commerce topper (St Anthony’s dominates with 15 top positions
May 11: Meghalaya youth bags 1043rd spot in UPSC results
May 13: Dreaded GNLA commander Hedeo Ch Momin surrenders
May 14: 24 GNLA give up, Sohan flees to Bangladesh
May 16: D-day for Cong, NPP as GH votes today
May 19: NPP tsunami buries Mukul in GH)
CM blames it on tampered EVMs plans legal recourse
May 21: Sohan arrested in Bangladesh?
May 23: Ex-minister NN Simchang passes away
May 25: Dolyne Kharbhih scales Mount Everest
May 28: Modi chants development mantra for NE
PM praises Eugeneson, Aibor, Marlangki
May 29: Meghalaya’s beauty mesmerizes Modi (PM tries his hand at Ka Bom)
Rev. Father Sylvanus Sngi Lyngdoh passes away
JUNE
June 2: PN Syiem wins dual post battle
June 4: Edu scam: HC seeks probe progress report
June 8: Parliamentary Secretaries no longer executive
Govt to pay Rs 20 Lakh to GNLA cadres’ kins
June 9: Youth soldier from city electrocuted on duty
June 10: UALA officially disbanded
June 11: Govt notifies marriage rules
June 13: Meghalaya gets its first human rights panel
June 15: Road mishap near Sonapur, several feared dead
June 16: Killer highway (NH 44) claims 29 lives
June 17: High Court orders CBI probe (Anomalies in MPSC recruitment process comes to light)
June 25: State seeks exemption from coal mining law
June 27: Meghalaya’s first Padmashree Sitimon Sawian no more
June 28: Key files goes missing (Health dept scam of 2003)
Social welfare dept accused of embezzling Rs 35.07 crore
June 29: Heroin, drugs worth Rs 3 crore seized in city
June 30: Over Rs 11 lakh stolen from SBI branch at Umiam
JULY
July 1: Mukul blasts Centre for denying extension to DGP Mehta
July 3: Shillong Civil Hospital now eHospital
July 8: Cabinet gives nod to fifth pay commission
UCIL can mine uranium, but at it’s own risk: CM
July 9: Mukul inaugurates much awaited Nongpoh district jail
July 11: KHADC ‘cleans’ Wahumkhrah at a cost of Rs 1.35 crore
July 12: Pine Wood, other state-owned hotels face closure
HC relief for electrocuted girl’s family [MeECL told to pay over Rs 12 lakh]
July 13: Over 30 hotels, guest houses served closure notice
July 16: Human rights panel gets Guv approval
July 20: Lady ‘cop’ dupes 450 youths on false job promise
July 21: Contempt of court case: Adelbert directed to be present on August 4
17 entry/exit points to be set up in 1st phase
Cabinet okays amendment to Benami Transactions Bills
Building bye laws not be implemented in Shillong Cantonment area
July 23: State Govt says no to UCIL
Fifth pay panel gets one year to complete recommendations
July 25: UCIL intends to set up uranium processing plant at Mawthabah
July 28: Flood situation in GH grim; Mukul undertakes aerial survey of flood hit areas in Garo Hills
July 29: KHADC staff manhandled, FIR filed against miscreants
AUGUST
Aug 2: Government revokes 2009 land deal with UCIL
Govt hikes teachers’ salary
Aug 6: Apex court asks CM Jha to re-deposit Rs 15 crore
Two minor girls go missing from BSF school in city
Aug 7: Missing minor girls traced in Delhi
Aug 11: HNLC U-turn on I-Day boycott?
Aug 13: Meghalaya misses NGT deadline, LS told
Aug 18: AICC silent on change of leadership demand, Sonia may summon Lapang
Aug 20: Commissioning of GSWSS to be delayed further
Aug 22: File on KHADC EM moves after HC verdict
Aug 23: Axe may fall on Rowell, Hek & Deborah
Aug 24: High Court vindicates PN Syiem’s position, embarrassment for State Govt [CEM wins dual posts duel]
Aug 26: Cabinet reshuffle axe on Hek, Rowell; Danggo, Ronnie in
Aug 29: St. Mary’s to pay Rs 11.5 lakh to ousted principal
Aug 30: PIL challenges Z-category security to Meghalaya HC ex-chief Justice judge
SEPTEMBER
Sept 1: Government to examine MUDA building bylaws, service rules
Sept 2: HC rejects Dec date for by-pools, imposes fine on government officials
Sept 3: SC to hear CM’s ST status case
State govt sends proposal to Guv for by-election
Sept 4: Saint Teresa touches all hearts
Sept 6: Pressure mounts on Mukul to drop more ministers
State to file SLP against HC’s Z-plus security order
Sept 7: Nod to civic Act amendment, GST
Sept 8: Disapproval of date for district council by-poll
Sept 9: Kidnappers kill 3 victims after taking ransom
Sept 10: SC stays HC order, by-polls on Dec 13
Sept 12: State coal baron in CBI net for illegal export to Bangladesh
Sept 13: Opp slaps no-confidence notice on Mukul govt
Govt says no to MCCL privatisation
Sept 15: High Court pulls up striking GHADC employees
Sept 16: Opp withdraws no-trust motion against MUA-II after 6-hr debate
Mukul weeps in Assembly again
Sept 17: In a repeat, No-trust motion against Mondal withdrawn
Sept 20: Man missing from city traced in Bengaluru after 8 years
Sept 21: City third time unlucky in ‘smart city’ race
SC clears way for by-polls on Dec 13
Sept 22: SC permits transportation of coal in State
Sept 24: State miners may land in trouble over coal ownership
Sept 26: Loss from mining ban over Rs 1500 cr
Sept 27: Guv nod to by-polls on Dec 13
Sept 28: DCA notifies poll date, model code from Nov 21
Sept 29: CBI asked to submit MPSC report by Oct 6
Sept 30: ‘GNLA’ kidnaps nine Assam traders in SGH
KV principal, teacher held for students’ rape
October
Oct 1: State govt to be guarantor for MeECL loan
Oct 4: HC disposes of education scam case; petitioner to move Division Bench
Tura KV rape case: Acting principal suspended, teacher sacked
Oct 6: State mining plan: NGT pulls up Centre for delay in clearing plan
Oct 7: MPS recruitment scam: CBI submits report; Forensic opinion yet to come
Oct 8: Surrender of GNLA second in command a blow to Sohan
Oct 13: Govt to acquire land for entry, exit points
Oct 15: PN Syiem suspended for three years; Cong loses 5 MDCs
Oct 19: Ex-minister JA Lyngdoh resigns from UDP
Oct 20: Umshyrpi-Mylliem to get four-lane road in two years
Oct 22: Umroi, Baljek airport to get facelift thanks to UDAN
JHADC suspends 7 dollois, sacks 3 acting Dollois
Oct 25: CBI submits final MPSC scam report to HC
Oct 26: City doctor acquitted of kidney removal without consent
Oct 27: Cong, HSPDP now in KHADC opposition; Council chairman, deputy tender resignations
Oct 28: Pregnant woman, 5 kids electrocuted in Mawphlang
Oct 29: ASAK kidnaps 9 Assam traders
Oct 30: Road projects worth Rs 3724 crore to improve connectivity in State
November
Nov 1: Over 15,000 crore of NLCPR fund remains unutilized
13-yr-old girl held for selling liquor
Nov 2: American kayaker drowns in Umngi
Nov 4: Mawphlang electrocution case: Power Dept pulled up for ‘criminal negligence’
Nov 7: Meghalaya bags environment, education awards.
Nov 9: Demonetisation: Mukul terms decision ‘insensitive’.
KHADC to examine marriage act
Nov 10: Shops, fuel stations in city run out of change
Nov 11: KHADC team to meet Guv on VAB, pro tem chief
Nov 12: HC orders eviction of hawkers
Church leaders move HC against State Marriage Act
Nov 14: Hawkers body to appeal against eviction
Ex- UALA rebels selling arms to GNLA held, Rs 5.5 lakh seized
Nov 16: Court to open CBI report on MPSC scam
Rs 22 lakh missing from Tura ATMs
Nov 17: MHIS III may be rolled out in 3 months
Nov 18: HC dismisses Dikkanchi’s poll petition against Conrad
Nov 19: Sohan attempts to shift hidden cash to banks
Nov 20: Nongsiej elected KHADC chairman unopposed
Nov 22: Hek files FIR after Rs 5000 note distribution rumour
Nov 23: BJP gains UDP leader JA Lyngdoh before Council by-poll
Govt rushes to find land for hawkers’ zone
Mid-day meal scam: EJH DC orders probe
Nov 24: CEM accused of luring NGOs with money
GHADC ruling alliance says no info on sub-judice case
Govt yet to bridge gap over Simsang
Nov 25: Abandoned Rs 60 lakh at RKM to go to Centre’s account
MPSC withdraws SLP over CBI report.
Nov 26: HC orders status quo on hawkers’ eviction
PN Syiem sets base for new political party
85% rural households in State get toilets
Nov 27: Senior GNLA cadre shot dead
Conrad takes up coal ban with PMO
Nov 28: Mawphlang electrocution: Magisterial probe finds laxity in transformer maintenance
Shillong Airport runway expansion project: Centre waits DPR clearance from state govt
Nov 29: 33 candidates in fray for 7 seats in Dec 13 by-polls
Nov 30: GHADC thumbs down to move against participation of non-tribals
December
Dec 1: No NE terror camps in Bangladesh: BSF
Five year ban for candidates who canvass for jobs, MPSC chief warns
Dec 2: GNLA money trail uncovered, singer’s son among 3 held for cash exchange
CMJ University scam: Ex-CJ’s adverse comments against ex-Guv expunged
Dec 3: GNLA cadres held, Rs 84,000 extortion money seized
Dec 4: Police hunt on to neutralize ultras dealing with scrapped cash
25 injured in Tura- Shillong bus accident
Rilbong food fest draws foodies from across city
Dec 5: Final hearing on CM’s ST status case on Feb 3
Dec 6: KSU junks Guv claim, says Bangla influx real
IIM Shillong student ‘commits suicide’
Dec 9: MTC runs in the red with Rs 34.11 crore loss in 10 yrs
Dec 10: GNLA suffers body blow as top leader surrenders
10 KHADC bills pending with Guv
39 persons quizzed in Umlyngka girl’s case
Dec 11: Tribals in Meghalaya need not worry about demonetisation: BJP
Shillong woman held in Delhi twin-murder case.
Dec 14: Council by-polls: EKH records low turnout, WJH the highest at 87.50%
Dec 15: Council by-polls: Final percentage in KHADC 75.02, JHADC records 87.51
Conrad briefs Jaitley on GHADC reforms, demonetisation problem
Dec 16: GH reels from Rs 500 currency shortage
Dec 17: HDR, Ardent left red-faced with council by-poll defeat
HC imposes penalty on Social Welfare department
Dec 18: HDR guest house in trafficking tangle
Dec 19: Govt to release Rs 469 crore to clear pending power dues
NGT awaits proper State mining plan
Dec 20: Kropha takes up mining exemption issue with PMO
Dec 21: MCI de-recognises NEIGRIHMS degrees
Dec 22: Conspiracy against NEEPCO chief exposed in vigilance report
2 from Assam held with Rs 29.7L in new notes
Dec 23: Chief Secretary faces CBI court trial
Dec 24: HSPDP backs PDF coalition in KHADC
Dec 25: NEEPCO gives power relief to State
Fr Battista Busolin passes away in Tura
Dec 27: MLA Julius Dorphang named in trafficking case FIR
Dec 28: Meghalaya to host National Games 2022
Kidnapped UP boy rescued in city, couple held
Dec 30: State’s rainwater harvesting scheme gets Ministry award
Dec 31: Police hunt for MLA Julius Dorphang.