New Year is here and with it has ended a year that wasn’t particularly blissful for Meghalaya.
2018 had begun on a promising note bringing high hopes for the 32-lakh odd citizens of this state. With the Assembly elections held on February 27, there was an air of expectation for the people.
The elections brought about a political change of guard but at a cost. A candidate lost his life in an IED blast but there was a silver lining. The state was cleansed of the scourge of militancy with the killing of GNLA chief Sohan D Shira. Another success was the surrender of HNLC general secretary Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew in the later half of the year.
2018 turned out to be the year of elections for Meghalaya with not less than four by-polls conducted in addition to the Assembly polls. While there was by-poll in Williamnagar due to the death of a candidate, Ampati, South Tura and Ranikor by-elections were a result of political permutations and combinations.
A young Conrad Sangma took oath as the 12th chief minister of the state carrying the huge burden of his late father’s rich legacy and the aspirations of the citizens.
However, the mob violence in the heart of the city in the beginning of June brought back the sense of trepidation that prevailed during the communal violence of the 1980s and 1990s. Curfew was imposed in the city after years to avert further violence and mobile internet was suspended for days to prevent misuse of social media for spreading rumours. The problems which led to the violence are yet to be sorted out.
On the political front, Meghalaya lived up to its reputation as the political hot-bed of India with turncoats ruling the roost. Seasoned politicians like DD Lapang and Martin M Danggo led the coterie of turncoats which also included many other leaders from across the political spectrum.
The autonomous district councils, particularly the KHADC, had a significant say in subjects ranging from ILP to NRC and the likes. In fact, the KHADC created quite a stir when its CEM HS Shylla and his team proposed legislative means to strip Khasi women of their ST status should any of them marry non-Khasis. There was a vertical split with a section of women voicing their dissent to the same and others coming forward to support a bill to the effect.
The citizens came together to demand recognition for Khasi and Garo languages and successfully pushed the government to come up with a resolution, albeit flawed. However, it was corrected later.
Two incidents in the last two months of the year – the brutal assault on women activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma and the Ksan mining tragedy where 15 miners are still reported missing – turned 2018 into a sorrowful year for Meghalaya.
As 2019 dawns and hopes are renewed for a positive year ahead, The Shillong Times draws up a list of the events which shaped the destiny of the state and directed its course in 2018.
Here are the events which made it to the headlines in 2018…
January 1: Deborah Marak’s PSO shot at in Garo Hills
January 3: BJP begins 2018 on a happy note, gains four MLAs
January 4: Six Congress rebel MLAs, two Independents join NPP
language under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Base laid for Tura Medical College after 5-year delay
January 5: CBI books Ampareen, Additional Chief Secy in Edu Scam
January 7: Amit Shah fires funds misuse salvo at CM Mukul Sangma
January 10: Over 80 coal laden trucks seized along NH in Ri Bhoi
January 11: Meghalaya’s total voters stands at 18,30,104
January 12: Police kill GNLA chief Sohan’s close aide Matchallang
January 13: Conrad denies nexus with BJP, says Congress has no agenda
January 16: Saleng Sangma joins NCP as state chief
Republic Day bravery award for WKH boy
January 19: State to vote on February 27, code of conduct kicks in
January 24: MLAs Brigady Marak & Marthon Sangma and 5 BJP
members join Congress
January 28: AICC announces candidates in 57 seats
January 31: Rahul tears into BJP for offering money to churches
February 1: Rahul’s jacket creates controversy in Shillong
February 3: BJP names four MLAs among 45 candidates for polls
February 4: Politicians rolling in money; most leaders are crorepatis
February 6: Ex-minister Manas Chaudhuri quits BJP, bags Cong ticket
February 7: Mukul, 152 others file nominations on penultimate day
February 9: 374 candidates in fray for February27 polls
February 10: NPP says will go solo after polls
February 12: Garo Hills marks 150 years of Christianity
February 13: 372 candidates in fray after withdrawal
February 14: Total number of candidates comes down to 370
February 15: PM Modi to campaign in CM bastion in Garo Hills
February 16: BJP manifesto focuses on infra, health, border row
February 17: Embarrassment for BJP, CEO asks party to remove charge sheet booklet
Internal survey shows Mukul may lose from Songsak seat
February 19: NCP’s Jonathone Sangma, ex-GNLA rebel among four killed in IED blast in EGH
February 20: State seeks addl central forces for Garo Hills, WKH
February 22: Deborah’s hand alleged in Jonathone’s death in IED blast
February 23: Modi dangles development carrot in Garo Hills
41 pc candidates in state are crorepatis
February 25: GNLA chief Sohan D Shira killed in gun battle with cops
February 26: Campaigning ends in state
Constable on poll duty shoots senior for denying leave
February 27: Over 18 lakh voters to decide fate of 361 candidates
February 28: Over 78 pc voters’ turnout registered in state
Mukul, Conrad confident of victory
March 1: Final voter turnout in Assembly polls stands at 84.86 pc
March 4: Meghalaya gives fractured mandate; Congress single
largest party, NPP makes gains
March 5: Non-Congress parties under NPP set to form govt
March 6: Cong defectors get berths, five first-timers on Cabinet list
March 7: Conrad sworn in as 12th CM of Meghalaya
Ardent quits as HSPDP chief
March 8: Conrad allots portfolios; 10th Meghalaya Legislative
Assembly constituted
March 12: MDA candidate Donkupar Roy elected Speaker
March 17: Governor Ganga Prasad delivers maiden speech in Hindi
Mukul vacates Ampati seat, daughter to contest by-poll
March 21: Jaintia youth leader Poipynhun Majaw murdered in EJH
immersed in the Umshyrpi river in the city.
March 22: SC sets GNLA supremo Champion Sangma free
March 27: NPP takes over GHADC, Dipul Marak new CEM
April 3: Williamnagar by-poll on April 27, Ampati later
April 7: Govt to issue fresh tender for Assembly building project
April 8: Cop dies after AL Hek’s son’s car dashes bike
April10: 10 ex-MLAs quizzed in education scam case
April 13: Opp stages walk out over work permits to Bangladeshis
April 18: Prestone Tynsong elevated to Deputy Chief Minister’s rank
April 25: Govt seeks JICA help to solve traffic puzzle in city
April 27: Agatha to give up South Tura seat for Conrad
Air Deccan makes historic start from Umroi Airport
April 28: Edu Scam: Ampareen house, four other places searched
May 2: NPP’s Marcuise N Marak wins Williamnagar by-poll
May 3: Angry Cong workers demand action against Mukul, rebels
May 5: NPP’s Clement to take on Congress’s Miani in Ampati
May 10: NPP to contest in all NE states for Lok Sabha polls
May 15: No withdrawals on last day, stage set for Ampati by-poll
May 22: Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir sworn-in as new CJ
May 24: Biggest haul of GNLA arms in East Garo Hills
May 29: 90.55 pc voters turn out in Ampati by-poll
May 30: Union Minister Smriti Irani rejects NEC shutdown rumours
June 1: Miani retains father’s citadel of Ampati
Scuffle flares up in city, mob clashes with cops at Motphran
June 2: Bouts of violence continues in city; curfew imposed
June 3: MHA okays six cos of central forces to check violence
June 5: Protesters break lock, enter Main Secretariat
June 6: Sikh delegation says relocation not right solution
June 9: City to remain under security blanket
June 11: Two simultaneous probes on in city violence
June 13: City still under mobile net ban
June 19: Harijan panel rejects HLC, relocation opposed
June 20: Akali Dal team calls for rehabilitation not relocation
June 21: Shillong selected in 100th spot for Smart City project
June 23: Roy accepts Danggo’s resignation in Kolkata
June 27: Minority panel summons state Chief Secretary
June 30: NHRC team meets DC, leaves after completing probe
July 3: Agatha quits South Tura seat for Conrad’s election
July 4: Simultaneous by-polls likely for Ranikor, South Tura seats
July 5: PDF threatens to pull out of MDA Govt
July 7: Education scam case back to HC, final hearing on July 31
July 11: KHADC CEM PN Syiem resigns
Petrol bomb attack on MPSC office in city
July 14: HS Shylla named new KHADC chief as rival skips election
July 17: State prepares to ban imported fish
July 23: State Education Policy in final stage: Rymbui
July 24: South Tura by-poll on August 23, no decision on Ranikor
State govt imposes 15-day ban on fish import
July 25: Govt appoints Lokayukta chairperson
July 26: Khasi woman marrying outside tribe to lose ST status
Danggo joins NPP
July 28: Simultaneous by-polls in Ranikor, South Tura on August 23
August 1: KSU sets up check posts in three districts after NRC draft list
August 2: Demand for NRC-like exercise in state
August 4: HYC protests at Secretariat, places demand for NRC, ILP
August 9: HC sounds red alert on Umroi Airport
August 10: Govt to study pros and cons of NRC in Meghalaya
August 12: Base laid for Rs 35-cr Shillong Tech Park
August 15: KHADC to recall lineage amendment bills
August 22: Controversial Tripura Guv Tathagata Roy gets M’laya job
August 24: Imported fish back in market, no tests carried out
August 28: Tura thumbs up for Conrad; Danggo bites the dust
August 31: UDAN yet to take off as Air Deccan stops Umroi flight
September 1: NGT asks state to form judicial panel on coal mining
September 2: NPP rules out Congress revival in state
September 3: KSU asks Centre to end mining chapter in state
September 5: Conrad resigns as Lok Sabha MP
September 6: SC to decide on mining in state as NGT disposes of case
September 10: Mukul says Danggo defected to prevent MLAs’ exodus
September 12: Tynsong ranks Mukul as the worst chief minister ever
September 13: Jemino may be coalition LS candidate from city
September 14: Lapang quits Congress after AICC policy tweak
September 16: Hek prefers Shillong Medical College at new site
September 20: MPCC meets to assess Lapang move impact
September 21: Cash transaction shocker at BJP meet
September 22: Cabinet nod to Education Policy
September 23: Thousands march to seek recognition for Khasi language
September 25: Congress accepts Lapang resignation
September 26: Now, KHADC pushes for ILP in Meghalaya
September 28: Assembly passes resolution on Khasi-Garo languages
September 30: RP Agarwal gets temporary charge as state DGP
October 1: Teachers barred from political activities in state
October 2: HC takes up contempt case against state govt
October 5: Lapang named govt advisor, Congress says money matters
October 7: Education Scam: CBI to submit report by Nov 3
October 9: Clement Marak passes away in Delhi
October 10: Tribal marriage clause remains in reviewed bill
October 12: HC directs state to give pension to deficit teachers
October 13: Assembly notifies vacant Selsella seat
October 17: Midnight violence mars Nartiang Puja rituals, 40 injured
October 19: HNLC general secretary Cheristarfield surrenders
October 21: Govt hopes 15 more HNLC cadres may come overground
October 22: KHADC to move resolution on ILP
October 24: Lapang not to contest LS polls from NPP
October 25: Congress to field Pala from Shillong
October 26: KHADC tables ILP bill, adopts resolution
October 27: Mukul blames MDA for aiding illegal mining
October 27: Khasi-Garo languages resolution hits hurdles
October 30: Demand for special Assembly session to rectify languages resolution
October 31: Govt blamed for not solving border dispute with Assam
November 1: UDP names Jemino as Lok Sabha common candidate
looks on, after he was sworn-in as the 12th chief minister of Meghalaya.
November 2: KHADC sends ILP, lineage bills to Guv
November 3: Call for neutral nominee to contest LS polls
November 5: Contractors refuse to take up Assembly project
November 7: Govt names Assam IPS officer as new DGP
November 9: CSWO head pays for probing illegal mining, assaulted
November 11: James talks tough on action against illegal coal mining
November 13: Agnes attack raised in SC
HSPDP names Renikton LS as common candidate
November 15: CBI submits report on education scam in 10 centres
November 16: Minister’s PSO suspended for assaulting Bhutan truckers
November 19: Lapang supporters give shape to leader’s NPP plan
November 20: PN Syiem tries to topple Shylla-led KHADC EC
November 21: Centre did not provide security to enforce coal mining ban, says Chief Secretary
November 23: Bill bars non-tribals from JHADC polls
November 24: NPP’s Nidamon Chullet led attackers to target Agnes, Amita
November 26: Opp to corner MDA Govt over coal nexus
November 27: Finally, independent probe ordered into activists’ assault
November 28: Govt rejects CBI probe into activists’ assault
November 30: Coal mining rider for GSI mineral survey
December 1: Illegal deals not activism killed RTI activist Poipynhun Majaw: CID
December 2: BJP to contest Shillong, Tura Lok Sabha seats
December 3: NGT committee to examine satellite image of coal mines
CSWO reiterates CBI probe into activists’ assault
December 4: Home Ministry plans to change nomenclature of councils
December 5: SC allows transportation of coal in state till January 31
Conrad admits to challenge in naming common candidate
December 6: Govt to construct Shillong Medical College at Umsawli
MDA rules out CBI probe into activists’ assault
December 7: Assault case: Police submit nine more names in sealed envelope to HC
Govt to frame rules to bar teachers from politics
December 8: State submits list of 2,000 seized coal trucks to NGT panel
December 9: Satellite data shows mining activities in JH: NGT panel
December 11: HC asks Centre to give citizenship without papers
Lapang joins NPP, begins new chapter in politics
December 13: State goes slow on Games infra, minister allays fears
Punjab govt compensation to Sikhs in state annoys govt
December 14: 13 miners feared dead at Ksan in EJH, govt lies nailed
SC stays HC order on starting flights from Umroi Airport
December 15: Conrad admits illegal mining on in state
December 16: Miners remain trapped, Ksan mine owner arrested
December 18: Govt sends SOS to centre for more help in rescue ops
December 19: Rain hits rescue ops as number of trapped miners
goes up to 14
December 20: Mining expert Jaswant S Gill to take call on EJH rescue ops
December 21: NGT panel for compensation in all coal mining cases
Khasi-Jaintia Hills council polls on February 27, 2019
December 22: HC asks govt not to disturb Harijan Colony residents
since December 13.
December 24: PN Syiem quits PDF after party sidelines founder
December 27: Activists’ assault: Prime accused Nidamon surrenders
December 28: Pala asks Centre to legalise rat-hole mining in state
December 29: After 16 days a surge of man and machine for Ksan ops
December 30: Multi-agency ops begin today at Ksan, Navy divers arrive
December 31: Rescue ops take step ahead as Navy divers go deeper
(Photos contributed by Sanjib Bhattacharjee)