The year 2024 will be remembered as a path-breaking year for Meghalaya. The year began with the HNLC pulling out of the peace talks, raising security concerns. The security issue hit headlines on multiple occasions with the killings of migrant labourers, attack on workers at JN Stadium, GS Road and at Ichamati. The NPP’s hold on the MDA 2.0 coalition got stronger with the entry of three Congress MLAs and the party’s win in the Gambegre bypoll. The ruling party also suffered reverses in the Tura Lok Sabha seat and failing to make it count in Shillong.
2024 will be remembered as the year of controversies, corruption, coal nexus, traffic congestion, concerns over railways, and the unfulfilled demands for ILP and recognition of Khasi and Garo languages. The quota war among the three prominent tribes of the state vis-à-vis the State Reservation Policy was another headline-grabber with some sections demanding higher quota and others demanding status quo.
Some issues that remained unresolved in 2024 include the border resolution, medical colleges, new Assembly building, Shillong-Dawki road, relocation of Harijan Colony residents, relocation of hawkers from Khyndai Lad, GSWSS, and JJM, among others.
As Meghalaya heads into 2025, the citizens are filled with hopes and anticipation of better governance and better future for the state and themselves.
Here are some of the top headlines of 2024…
Jan 4
HNLC pulls out of peace talks, threatens armed struggle
Jan 6
State govt ready to consider amnesty for HNLC
Jan 7
High Court gets bomb threat
Jan 13
TMC wants Tura seat, offers new deal on seat-sharing to Cong
Jan 14
‘Death’ in EJH coal mine: Body exhumed
Jan 16
President Murmu inaugurates 5th Meghalaya Games amidst fanfare
Jan 17
Games body regrets food fiasco (Athletes complain of inadequate meals at 5th Meghalaya Games)
Jan 19
Amit Shah assures attention on ILP, language recognition issues
Jan 20
VPP MLAs tussle with cops during protest against sacking of Lokayukta officials
Amit Shah attends NEC session, mum on state’s demand
Jan 21
52-year wait ends as state gets its own anthem
Jan 24
NPP stopped Rahul Gandhi from meeting students at USTM: Congress
Jan 26
Silbi Passah awarded Padma Shri
Jan 28
Govt tells HNLC to resume talks
Jan 30
Shillong Medical College to operate from Ganesh Das, Shillong Civil Hospital Shillong from 2025
Feb 1
High drama in NEIGRIHMS after HYC threatens to shut down super-specialty hospital; director apologises to HYC leaders
Feb 3
Justice BP Katakey insists on strict adherence to mine closure plan
Feb 4
MDA parries VPP threat to boycott Guv’s address
Feb 5
Illegal rat-hole coal mining thrives in East Jaintia Hills despite ban
Feb 6
Mob kills two suspected dacoits in SWGH
Feb 7
Ragpicker’s charred body recovered from Marten
Feb 8
Will not give any land to Meghalaya: Assam minister
Feb 9
Condition of NH-6 in EJH irks High Court
Feb 10
Conrad plays down Assam minister’s view on border
Feb 12
Assam’s limestone mining plan threatens EJH caves
Feb 13
Quota policy poses challenge to cancer treatment in state
Feb 15
HANM wants MLAs to speak in Khasi and Garo in Assembly
Feb 16
Three labourers from Assam ‘die’ inside a mine at Muriap village
Feb 17
VPP seeks tongue test for governors sent to Meghalaya
189 years after martyrdom, Tirot Sing stands tall in Dhaka
Feb 20
VPP rakes up Guv’s address in Hindi
State clueless on Khasi, Garo recognition snub by Union govt
Feb 22
CM presents Rs 2,029 crore deficit budget
Feb 25
Blaze wreaks havoc on Shillong Bar Association; valuable legal papers reduced to ashes
Feb 26
Recruitment Board announces 74 vacancies, appoints 55 docs
Feb 27
Saleng Sangma asks govt to sack old and unfit police personnel
Feb 28
Opp MLAs stage walkout alleging violation of rules
March 3
Civilian ‘killed’ in BSF firing on Bangla border
HNLC cadre arrested for extortion
March 6
Three arrested for attempts to revive HNLC
March 10
Suspected IED blast near Harijan Colony
March 11
Harijan Colony IED blast: Cops hint at HNLC hand
March 13
Police bust HNLC sleeper cell in Ri-Bhoi, four held; several IED assembled to target Shillong, Nongpoh seized
March 15
HNLC gives one month for Harijan Colony relocation
March 16
HNLC orchestrated IED blast from Bangladesh: Police
March 19
Pressure groups renew call for complete exemption of state from CAA
March 20
Harijan Colony blast case: Police arrest key suspect
March 21
Justice Katakey panel urges HC to probe coal illegalities
March 25
Pressure groups burn copies of CAA rules
March 26
Scuffle at NEHU on Holi leaves two injured
March 27
Police arrest two armed miscreants after gun battle in Ri-Bhoi
NEHU witnesses anti-CAA protests
March 28
Two killed in Ichamati after anti-CAA protest
March 29
Ichamati killings: Two FIRs lodged; magisterial probe ordered; no arrests yet
March 30
Ichamati hate crime leads to mudsliding
Police identified suspects: CM
April 1
Twin murders: Ichamati-based group under fire for pointing finger at KSU
April 2
Cyclone, hailstorm wreak havoc in South West Khasi Hills
April 3
Ichamati killings: Police arrest 2 KSU members
April 4
Cops sound alert, beef up security; petrol bomb lobbed at Mawlai Police Station
April 5
Rs 1 crore seized from car following Conrad’s convoy in Arunachal
April 6
Congress seeks probe into Arunachal cash seizure
CAA: NEHUSU burns effigies of Modi, Shah
April 7
Congress jabs NPP on Arunachal cash seizure
April 8
NPP with NDA but NE comes first: Conrad
April 9
VPP, NPP members clash in Ri-Bhoi
April 10
KHADC chief to file defamation suit in High Court against VPP supremo
April 11
Daily wager killed in city; Second case of ‘hate crime’ in two weeks after twin-murders in Ichamati
April 12
Conrad promises action against targeted killings
April 13
Security tightened across state; Seven companies of CAPF conducting route marches in localities
April 14
Mawroh labourer’s killing: No arrest yet
April 15
BJP reaffirms vow to implement CAA, UCC
April 16
NPP will oppose UCC in Meghalaya: Prestone
April 18
Charred remains of three Assam residents discovered in EGH
April 19
VPP, TMC at receiving end of fake news on eve of polls
April 20
Candidates on tenterhooks as fate is sealed in EVMs
April 22
Two minors gang-raped and assaulted in SWGH
April 24
City girl gang-raped, four held including minor
April 25
Two arrested KSU members remanded in police custody; Third arrest in Ichamati twin-murder case; first arrest in Mawlai Mawroh labourer’s murder case
SWGH sexual assault cases: 4 from Assam in police net
April 26
HYC flags ‘illegal settlers’ in city’s Lum Survey area
April 27
Miscreants hurl petrol bomb at Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar’s residence
April 30
148 families in Harijan Colony are illegal settlers, HYC claims
May 1
Job aspirants threaten to move court over ‘irregularities’ in upper-age limit set for recruitment in Police dept
Five cases pending against state’s lawmakers in courts
May 2
Law and order on verge of collapse; govt silent
May 3
VPP hails decision to invite suggestions on state reservation policy
May 6
Khasi Lineage Act riddled with confusion, should be repealed: VPP
Former Congress legislator claims party leaders losing faith in Pala’s leadership
May 8
Relocation row: HPC, state govt to meet ‘one final time’ on June 7
May 9
HSSLC: Laban Bengalee Boys, St Mary’s secure top honours
402 cases registered in state since Feb 2019 against illegal transportation of coal in Meghalaya
May 10
‘Swank car, wrong number’: Case registered against DGP LR Bishnoi
May 12
Idashisha Nongrang becomes first woman DGP of Meghalaya
May 14
Registered clans will get tribe certificate: KHADC
May 16
Chaos erupts at NEHU over CUET hullabaloo
May 17
Demand grows to chuck CUET, consider class 12 performance
May 18
Now, retaining wall of new Assembly building collapses
May 19
Govt identifies 25 acres of land to beautify, decongest Shillong
May 23
Blaze devours church in West Jaintia Hills
May 24
Police register case against HYC leaders after demolition drive at Lum Survey
May 25
Tura takes first spot in SSLC; Shillong tops in HSSLC Arts
May 26
Conrad harps on private investments worth Rs 8,000 crore for Meghalaya
May 27
2 coal miners from Ri-Bhoi die inside ‘illegal’ mine in Assam
May 29
Cyclone Remal ravages Meghalaya; one dead in EJH, several hurt
May 30
Remal: State govt sanctions Rs 19.85 crore for relief work
May 31
1 killed, 3 trapped in Sohra landslide
CBI takes over investigation in Mukroh killings case of 2022
June 1
Sohra landslide: Three more bodies retrieved from rubble
Sniawbhalang Dhar promises new-look Police Bazar in one year
June 2
Landslides leaves four dead in East Khasi Hills
June 3
A year on, PA Sangma stadium wall collapse again; 1 injured
June 5
VPP rides on populist politics to win Shillong Lok Sabha seat
Agatha blown away by anti-BJP win; Congress wins Tura seat
June 6
VPP not to join BJP-led NDA, says Ardent Basaiawmoit
June 8
UDP, HSPDP’s future under scanner after VPP’s victory
June 11
Plaint against EKH SP for ‘misconduct’, forcibly removing woman from protest site
June 12
Controversy over work sans tender in Pinewood Hotel renovation
Gang rape of 4 minor girls reported from SWKH
June 14
KSU suggests combined 90pc job quota for STs
June 15
VPP wants population as quota marker; GH says no to revision
MTDC cancels Pinewood renovation ‘contract’
June 19
Monsoon wreaks havoc in Meghalaya; two dead in a span of week
June 21
BSF personnel accused of pawing minor girl in EJH
June 25
RM Kurbah returns as EKH DC in major bureaucratic rejig
June 26
HSPDP seeks 80% reservation for Khasi-Jaintia, Garo communities
June 28
Murmur within UDP to withdraw from MDA
June 29
State to have revised SOP for transportation of coal
June 30
HNLC reconsiders peace negotiations
July 1
Khasis among Google’s supported languages; CM praises tech giant
July 4
UDP leadership mum on ‘quit MDA’ murmurs
July 5
NH6 repair: VPP’s Syngkon stealing Conrad’s thunder?
July 6
Floods hit over 30,000 families in GH; CM inspects affected areas
July 7
KSU members erect ILP check gate in Ri-Bhoi
Umpleng horror: Four mutilated bodies found: SIT probe ordered
July 9
KSU becomes active again on ILP issue, checks non-tribal
Metbah ends debate: UDP to remain with MDA govt
July 10
KSU members assault labourers engaged to renovate JN Stadium
Group wants ban on commercial vehicles from other states to Meghalaya tourist spots
July 11
CM says MDA govt not soft on pressure groups
July 12
Two HNLC cadres arrested in Ri-Bhoi
July 13
NHIDCL labourers assaulted at Mawlai Mawiong
July 14
After assaults of workers, police intensify patrolling
July 16
Now, another ILP check gate comes up in EJH
July 17
HNYF warns police not to push them toward HNLC
July 20
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma says no one can legally check the documents of the labourers
July 21
Unrest: 710 students enter Meghalaya from Bangladesh via Dawki in three days
July 23
Exodus of labourers hits infra projects in Meghalaya
July 25
Nine pressure groups vow to implement MRSSA
Meghalaya, other Indian states in no-travel advisory of US
July 26
HYC threatens to shut down KHADC
July 27
HNYF members stop Assam vehicles, send back tourists
July 28
Tourists’ ‘harassment’ stirs up hornet’s nest
July 30
Tourism nosedives after HNYF’s ‘vigilantism’
July 31
KSU issues ultimatum to MPSC: Sort out exam mess in 48 hours
Aug 1
Govt considers SSA non- teaching staff demands as indefinite sit- in begins
Aug 2
Call to dissuade ‘anti-tourists’ groups
Aug 3
Meghalaya tightens rules for migrant workers
Aug 4
‘Nepotism’ in MPSC exam sparks outrage
Aug 5
Mawsynram Dorbar bans prayers at Mawjymbuin Cave
Aug 6
State govt imposes night curfew in border areas
Aug 7
Bangladeshi rioters destroy bust of U Tirot Singh in Dhaka
Mawjymbuin worship ban invites threat from Assam
Aug 8
Society moves court against Mawjymbuin pilgrimage ban
Aug 11
CEMs of 10 ADCs push for amendment of 6th Schedule
Aug 13
Not a single Bangladeshi will enter Meghalaya: Amit Shah promises CM
Aug 14
Relocation of hawkers from Khyndai Lad nears completion
Aug 15
Society calls off pilgrimage to Mawjymbuin Cave
Aug 17
Congress suspends Gabriel Wahlang, Charles Marngar, spares Celestine Lyngdoh as they decide to join NPP
Aug 20
Three Congress MLAs take NPP to majority mark of 31
Aug 22
NPP not to replace WR Kharlukhi with Agatha in Rajya Sabha
Aug 23
VPP turns main Opposition as Congress reduced to one
Aug 24
KHADC clears amendment bill to redraw map of constituencies
Aug 29
Bangladesh Awami League leader’s body recovered in East Jaintia Hills
Aug 30
Bangla leader was throttled, says post-mortem report
Aug 31
Govt to unravel mystery behind death of Awami League leader inside India
Sept 1
New law seeks to tighten rules on hiring of migrant workers
Sept 2
CAG report dents Meghalaya’s $10 billion economy dream
Sept 4
Petrol bomb lobbed at Rynjah police station
Sept 5
Influx from Bangladesh will be averted: CM
Sept 7
BJP threatens to drag NPP to court on JJM fiasco
Sept 9
KSU warns of ‘imposing’ ILP on its own state
Sept 10
Govt firm against ban on Assam cabs
September 13
Beef Drama: HYC protest Hindu group’s proposed presser ‘seeking’ cow slaughter ban
Sept 14
Congress to drag three ‘defector’ MLAs to court
Sept 18
Cong petitions Speaker to suspend 3 ex-MLAs
Sept 20
Inquiry panel orders probe into ‘missing’ 57000 MT coal in South Garo Hills
Sept 21
Assam threatens retaliation over demand for restrictions on Assam tourist cabs
Sept 25
HC takes note of traffic hurdles, asks officials to act on them
Sept 29
Beef ban seekers denied entry at Umroi airport
Oct 1
Centre unlikely to fully back state’s grant-in-aid request
Oct 2
Nepotism: VPP slams Agatha’s appointment as MSCPCR chief
Oct 3
SSA teachers demand job security, issue 2-month ultimatum to govt
Oct 4
Rectify blunders or leave state: VPP to NEHU VC
HC stays tender process for procurement of roofing sheets
Oct 5
Three dead, four injured as rains lash Garo Hills
Oct 6
Torrential rains claim seven more lives in Garo Hills
Oct 7
Death toll in Garo Hills up to 15 as weather relents
Oct 8
Two children die in NGH; toll rises to 17
Oct 9
No puja pandals on roads, warns HNYF
Oct 11
Harijan relocation issue lingers; stakeholders blame govt
Conrad mourns Ratan Tata’s death, recalls his contribution to Meghalaya during COVID-19
Oct 14
Noted city educationist Br. Eric D’Souza breathes his last
Oct 15
Mukul questions govt silence on SSA teachers’ indefinite stir
Oct 16
Govt unable to meet SSA teachers’ demands in toto
Oct 17
Tourism fuel for Meghalaya’s economy: Vice President Dhankhar
Oct 18
Tourism stakeholders against ban on entry of Assam cabs: Minister
Oct 19
Tax dept asks Dorbar Shnongs to get Pan Card registration
Oct 21
Govt not keen on official recognition to Dorbar Shnong
Oct 22
Rs 2,300 crore road project scam: Police file FIR, begin probe against nine people including senior engineers of the state govt and officials of two private companies
Oct 23
Rs 2,300 crore road project ‘scam’: Govt may hand over case to CBI
NEHU VC denies ‘anti-tribal’ charge of NEHUTA, MeTTA
Oct 24
Contractors threaten to sue govt for ‘made-up’ scam
Oct 25
‘Non-tribals must get licence for plying cabs in Scheduled areas: KHADC ex-CEM Titos Chyne
Oct 26
NEHU, KSU chase out Registrar from chamber
Oct 27
UDP backs call for CBI probe into multi-crore road ‘scam’
Oct 29
Amid crisis, NEHU VC, Registrar go on leave
123-year-old iconic St. Anthony’s building set to be dismantled
Oct 30
Khyndai Lad to become hawker-free by Nov: Paul
Oct 31
VC ready to face probe into alleged illegalities
Road through Harijan Colony to reopen for traffic after 6 years
Nov 2
NEHU in further strike after NEHUNSA announces strike
Nov 3
Transportation cost up 40 percent, Umiam dam curbs blamed
Nov 4
Teachers demand fair probe into NEHU ‘irregularities’
Nov 5
Strike cripples NEHU
Nov 6
Crisis deepens; NEHU under total lockdown from today
Nov 7
Shutdown, hunger strike continue as students now demand VC’s ouster
Petition to President for VC, Registrar’s removal
Nov 8
On warpath, NEHU students lock main gates, burn effigies
Nov 9
Mediate to end stalemate, Governor tells NEHU teachers
VPP MP moves Centre for new VC
Nov 10
CID takes over road ‘scam’ case
Nov 11
NEHU VC ‘missing’ after attack on official quarter
Nov 12
NEHU teachers suspect vandalism stage managed
Irked by VC’s absence, students lodge plaint with President Murmu
Nov 13
NEHUSU rejects independent probe decision
Nov 14
Gambegre registers 90.84 per cent turnout
NEHU campuses get new Pro-VCs
Nov 15
Centre forms panel to probe NEHU imbroglio
MHA extends ban on HNLC by five years
Nov 16
NEHU VC goes on leave
Nov 17
Mawlai Dorbar bars VC’s entry into NEHU campus
Congress calls for accountability after VIP escort’s ‘reckless driving’ claims one life
Nov 18
Public outrage over VIP culture after biker’s death
NPP withdraws support from BJP-led government in Manipur
Nov 19
Paul rubbishes VIP culture as reason behind biker’s death
Nov 20
Paul sniffs ‘political ploy’ in linking him to biker’s death
NEHU hunger strike to continue as students fail to reach consensus
Nov 21
NEHU students ‘temporarily’ end hunger strike after 16 days
VPP demands independent probe into hit-and-run case
Nov 22
Government forms committee to revamp MPSC
Nov 23
Deaths of two state youths at Assam rehab raise eyebrows
Khyndai Lad hawkers protest against government’s ‘relocation’ move
Nov 24
Mehtab breaches Saleng bastion, Congress third in Gambegre bypoll
Nov 25
Two-member central probe team arrives in NEHU
CID begins inquiry into Rs 2300-cr road scam
Nov 26
Hawkers issue ultimatum to government, refuse to relocate
MHRC issues notice to Ri-Bhoi SP in hit-and-run case
Nov 27
Committee finishes inquiry; NEHU awaits probe report
Nov 28
Mehtab takes oath as Gambegre MLA
Nov29
NEHU VC seeks security from Centre to join office
Nov 30
NEHU teachers dare VC to substantiate charges
Dec 1
BJP moves Governor for NEHU VC’s ouster
Dec 2
VC due to return today; unease in NEHU campus
TMC’s Charles Pyngrope admits pressure to join Congress
Dec 3
Students agree to resume normal classes in NEHU
Dec 4
Mukul, Charles may join Congress ahead of 2028 polls: Pala
Dec 5
Mukul rubbishes return to Congress, may float new party
Dec 6
Pressure on Congress to pull out of NPP-led EC in KHADC
Dec 7
BJP’s Sanbor Shullai slams Assam govt’s move to ban beef in hotels, public places
Dec 8
Conrad signs projects worth Rs 4,500 crore in Delhi summit
Dec 11
Congress poised to quit KHADC coalition
Bryan Adams rocks Shillong
Dec 13
VPP, KSU clamour against land purchase privilege for investors
Dec 14
Congress quits NPP-led coalition in KHADC
Dec 15
Bangladeshi drones near Sohra, Shella border raise concerns
Ban on Mawjymbuin cave worship: Assam group threatens to disrupt road links to Meghalaya
Dec 17
KSU warns Assam group against communalising cave issue
Dec 18
Centre, state keep vigil against Bangladesh drone incursion
Govt announces district council polls on Feb 21, 2025; results on Feb 24
Dec 19
KHADC moves against MDA’s investment plan
Dec 21
CM seeks Rs 1.5 lakh crore from Centre for 2025-26 fiscal
Dec 24
Festivities and chaos: Khyndai Lad struggles amid increasing footfall
Dec 27
FIR against social media influencer for Mawlynnong church trespass
Dec 28
Meghalaya mourns demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Dec 29
Police zero in on Mawlynnong church trespasser
Dec 30
KSU renews ILP demand (ENDS)